When you spill on electronics, it can happen in a split second, and sometimes over something you could never see coming.
Nevertheless, no matter how it happened, no matter how avoidable it was, if you spill on your PlayStation 5 controller, the only thing that should be going through your mind is “what do I do now that my PS5 controller is wet?”
What Happens if a PS5 Controller Gets Wet?
However, before we get to the things to do when your PS5 controller gets wet, we recommend you look below at the kinds of things you should not do before anything else.
However, if you are already aware of what you should not do, refer to the examples in this section instead.
First, make 100 percent certain that you turn your PS5 controller off as soon as possible. This reduces the risk of damage to the controller, as having it being powered on while wet increases the risk of damage to the PS5 controller’s circuit.
However, the unfortunate news is that if you spill on them or drop them in liquid, there are decent odds that the PS5 controller may become damaged, or even cease working altogether. Still, it is not impossible that your PS5 controller may survive, even intact.
Depending on what the PS5 controller has been put into, the problem may become more or less serious. For example, if it fell into clean water, that’s bad, but it could be worse, such as if it fell in muddy water, or had soda spilled on it.
If this is the case, you should, while the controller is powered off, rinse it with warm water, just to get the dirt out. Additionally, the impurities of the water connect to contact points within the PS5, which then allows the current to go places where it should not be able to go.
Another issue that you may have to deal with is corrosion. If an electronic is exposed to water for too long, it runs the risk of damage through erosion, though this may take some time. This is part of why it is so paramount to get it dry sooner rather than later.
How to Dry Out Your PS5 Controller
If your controller was exposed to a considerable amount of liquid, then the effect of that would be corrosion of the circuitry.
However, this may not be the case depending on how much liquid your controller was exposed to, as well as if liquid managed to get inside the controller or not.
But, If this is the case, then the first thing you’ll want to do is stop using the controller and ensure that it’s fully turned off.
And follow this guide to disassemble the controller and remove the battery. Do not do this unless you are prepared to potentially lose parts or damage the controller in the process, as both are possible if you are not careful.
Next, to save your controller, you’ll need to disassemble it and clean each component with 90%+ Isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab. Ensure that each component is clean and dry before placing the battery back into the control. And check to see whether or not it works.
Things not to do when your PS5 controller gets wet:
Don’t open your PS5 controller if you do not know how to handle it
If you do not know how to open a PS5 controller safely or properly, do not rush to do it. Be sure to read how to do it so that you can do it most effectively and appropriately.
Not only does this reduce the risk that you end up damaging your PS5 controller in the process, but it also means that Sony may not be able to detect potential accidental damage if you ever send it in for repairs.
Make sure that, if the device is exposed to water, that it is exposed for no more than 30 seconds at a time, although any time under that see damage will befall the PS5 controller.
If you are not confident in your ability to open up your PS5 controller, let alone repair it, your best bet may be to set it up to be repaired or replaced without interfering with its innards.
However, if you want to get it repaired for free, you need to make sure that you purchased a warranty for the PS5 or the PS5 controller that covers water damage.
Otherwise, you would likely have to consider either replacing it with a different PS5 controller or paying to have it repaired. Though for the price of the PS5 controller, it may be worthwhile to just buy a new one instead.
Don’t try to open it while it is powered on
This should be self-explanatory, but sometimes people get into a rush to open up their PS5 controller in the desire to fix the problem as quickly as possible.
Double check that the PS5 controller is powered off before you start working on it, although the spill may have damaged it to the point that it does not function anymore anyway.
Don’t lose the parts
If you do disassemble your PS5, make sure that you keep all the parts in a safe spot. If you lose one of the screws, for example, you may run the risk of not being able to reassemble the controller.
It may also help you to use a magnetic screwdriver to reduce the risk of the screws falling and disappearing.
Are PS5 controllers water resistant at all?
Some devices are either designed to be waterproof or water-resistant, but the PS5 controller cannot be defined as either.
As such, do not submerge your PS5 controller in any liquid, and do not allow the controller to be exposed to even light rain.
Additionally, make sure that when you’re using your PS5 controller, you keep it away from your beverages at all times, even if you’re drinking from a bottle.
It’s even more dangerous to drink around your PS5 controller if you are drinking soda pop instead of water, due to how sticky soda pop can be.
- How to Pair Meta Quest 3 Controllers with Your Quest 3 Headset: A Quick Guide
- How to Charge Meta Quest 3: A Guide to Powering Up Your VR Experience
- How to Cast Meta Quest 3 to Samsung TV: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How To Factory Reset Your Meta Quest 3: A Step-by-Step Guide
- How to Power On and Off the Meta Quest 3
