What to Do If Your Wyze Camera Gets Water Damage
Wyze cameras are fantastic, affordable devices for monitoring your home, but most of their popular models are designed exclusively for indoor use. If you've accidentally left an indoor Wyze Cam exposed to rain or it has suffered a spill, it's crucial to act quickly to minimise the risk of permanent damage. Even the weather-resistant Wyze Cam Outdoor can be damaged if submerged or if its seals are compromised.
This guide will take you through the immediate steps you should take if your Wyze camera gets wet and how to assess the potential damage.
### Immediate First Aid for a Wet Wyze Camera
If your camera has been exposed to water, time is of the essence. Water and electricity do not mix, and the primary goal is to prevent a short circuit that can fry the internal components.
- Disconnect Power Immediately: This is the most critical step. If the camera is plugged in, unplug it from the power source without delay. Do not try to check if it's still working or attempt to turn it on. Supplying power to wet electronics is the quickest way to cause irreversible damage.
- Remove any Accessories: If your camera has a microSD card installed, remove it. Take off any protective covers or mounting stands.
- Dry the Exterior: Use a soft, absorbent cloth (like a microfibre towel) to thoroughly dry the outside of the camera. Pay close attention to seams, ports (like the micro USB and SD card slot), and the speaker/microphone holes.
- Do NOT Use Heat: Resist the temptation to use a hairdryer, heater, or microwave to speed up the drying process. Excessive heat can warp the plastic housing and damage the delicate internal components and lens.
The Drying Out Process
Once the exterior is dry, you need to address the moisture that may have seeped inside.
### The Best Method: Air and Patience
The safest and most effective method is to let the camera air dry in a warm, low-humidity environment.
- Positioning: Place the camera upright in a well-ventilated area, such as on a windowsill in a sunny room or near a fan.
- Use Desiccants (Optional but Recommended): To actively draw moisture out, place the camera in an airtight container along with several silica gel packets (the small packets you find in new shoe boxes or electronics packaging). These are designed to absorb moisture from the air.
- Wait: You must allow the camera to dry for a minimum of 48 to 72 hours. It's vital to be patient. Even if the outside feels dry, moisture can remain trapped deep inside the device.
### What to Avoid: The Rice Myth
You may have heard the popular advice to put wet electronics in a bag of uncooked rice. Do not do this.
- Ineffective: Rice is a poor desiccant compared to open air or silica gel.
- Damaging: Rice dust and small grains can easily get into the camera's ports and crevices, creating a new set of problems.
Assessing the Damage
After waiting at least 48 hours, it's time to see if your rescue efforts were successful.
- Inspect the Ports: Before plugging it in, look into the micro USB port and SD card slot with a torch to check for any visible signs of corrosion or remaining moisture.
- Power It On: Use the original Wyze power cable and adapter to plug the camera in.
- Observe the Status Light: Watch the LED status light. Does it light up as it normally would (e.g., solid yellow, then flashing blue)? If there's no light at all, the main board has likely been damaged.
- Check Functionality: If the light turns on and it connects to your Wi-Fi, test all its functions. Check the video feed for discoloration or fogging behind the lens. Test the microphone and speaker.
### When It's a Lost Cause
Unfortunately, water damage is often permanent. If the camera doesn't power on, fails to connect, or the image is distorted after thorough drying, the internal circuitry has been compromised. At this point, the camera is likely beyond repair, as the cost of professional repair would far exceed the price of a new Wyze Cam. It is also important to note that warranties do not cover water damage.