Immediately shut the computer down, disconnect its power, and stop using the wet keyboard because these symptoms after a water splash strongly indicate keyboard hardware damage rather than a Windows 10 input setting.^1^
What to do now
- Turn the computer off completely.
- Unplug the charger and all accessories.
- If the battery is designed to be removable, remove it. Do not dismantle a sealed laptop yourself.
- For a laptop, place it upside down in a tent-like position so moisture can drain away from internal components.
- Let it dry thoroughly. A fan is suitable; if using a hair dryer, use only low or no heat and keep it at a distance. There is no guarantee that drying will reverse existing damage.^1^
- If this is a separate USB keyboard, disconnect it and let it dry separately.
Do not continue testing the affected keys while moisture may remain.
Test after it has dried
Connect a known-working USB or Bluetooth keyboard:
- External keyboard works normally: The built-in keyboard has likely been damaged and needs professional cleaning or replacement.
- External keyboard has the same behavior: A Windows or driver issue becomes more plausible, although that is less consistent with the problem starting immediately after the spill.
Testing with another keyboard is the recommended way to distinguish keyboard hardware failure from a software problem.^2^
For temporary access, use the on-screen keyboard:
- Select Start → Settings → Ease of Access → Keyboard.
- Turn on Use the On-Screen Keyboard.
If the incorrect keys remain after drying, arrange service with the laptop manufacturer or a qualified repair shop. Liquid can leave corrosion or conductive residue, so reinstalling drivers or changing language settings is unlikely to correct this spill-related behavior.
References
- Keyboard Typing Multiple Characters/Letters at once - Microsoft Q&A
- keypad issue - Microsoft Q&A