What Causes a Black Screen After Water Damage on an iPhone
Water damage can cause a black screen on an iPhone for several reasons. When water gets inside the iPhone, it can short circuit and corrode the electronic components, especially on the logic board where the main processors and connectors are located. Corrosion from water causes oxidation on the metal contacts and builds up minerals that can prevent electrical signals from passing through properly. This disruption in signals leads to a black screen as the graphics and display components fail to receive power or data.
In addition, critical chips like the power management IC or display driver can be damaged from short circuiting during water exposure. Liquid residue left inside can create ongoing shorts that prevent the phone from booting up properly. The battery connectors may also corrode over time and cause an intermittent black screen.
Moisture in any electronic device can cause shorts, corrosion, and irreparable damage. With an iPhone’s compact, integrated design, even a small amount of water can quickly reach and damage internal components resulting in the iPhone displaying a sudden black screen after water damage.
Assess the Water Damage
The first step is to thoroughly inspect your iPhone for any signs of water damage. According to Apple Support, you should look for the Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI). This is a small white or silver sticker located inside the SIM card slot. It will turn red if it comes into contact with water (1).
You should also look for visible signs of water exposure like condensation or fogging of the display and camera lenses, moisture in ports and openings, or corrosion on the logic board (2). Subtle symptoms can include speakers or microphones not working properly. Examine all parts of the iPhone carefully to determine the extent of the water damage.
Try Drying the iPhone
If your iPhone has been exposed to water, one of the first things to try is drying it out thoroughly. This can help remove any residual moisture that may be causing issues.
Start by removing the SIM card and powering the iPhone completely off. Any moisture on internal components can cause short circuiting, so powering off the phone is important.
Next, place the iPhone in a bowl or bag of uncooked rice. Rice absorbs moisture well and surrounding the iPhone in rice will help draw out any water from inside the device. Leave the iPhone submerged in rice for 24-48 hours to give enough time for the rice to absorb the moisture. Make sure the iPhone is completely buried in rice so it is touching all sides.
According to discussions on Apple’s forums, letting the iPhone dry in rice for a week or more is recommended for water damage, rather than just a day or two. The longer drying time allows moisture to be thoroughly removed [1].
Rice is an effective way to dry an iPhone without additional equipment. Just be patient and leave the iPhone in rice for at least 24 hours before trying to power it on again.
Clean Corrosion From Logic Board
If the logic board got wet or shows signs of corrosion, it needs to be cleaned. The recommended way to do this is using high concentration (at least 70%) isopropyl alcohol and a soft-bristle toothbrush.
First, open the iPhone and remove the logic board. Then, dip the toothbrush in the alcohol and gently scrub the logic board contacts and connectors to remove any corrosion or residue. Be very gentle so as not to damage any components. Pay special attention to areas like the dock connector.
According to discussions on Apple’s forums, submerging the logic board in 99% isopropyl alcohol can be an effective cleaning method[1]. After submerging, be sure to rinse the board off with distilled water to remove any remaining alcohol.
Thoroughly cleaning the logic board of corrosion is crucial to getting the iPhone working again after water damage. Just be patient and gentle while scrubbing to avoid causing any additional issues.
Replace Any Corroded Components
If there are any corroded components inside the iPhone, they will need to be replaced. Water damage can cause corrosion on many parts like the logic board, dock connector, SIM card reader, headphone jack, volume and power buttons, and more. Examine connections like the dock port flex cable for signs of corrosion damage. If the dock port or charger port is corroded, the iPhone may not be able to charge properly or connect to a computer. Carefully disconnect the dock port flex cable from the logic board and inspect it for corrosion or damage. If it is corroded, you will need to replace it with a new dock port flex cable.
Inspect solder points and chip leads on the logic board for corrosion as well. Use a magnifying glass if needed to closely examine the board. If corrosion is present, use isopropyl alcohol and a soft-bristle toothbrush to gently clean the logic board. Be very careful not to further damage any components. For severely corroded parts that cannot be fixed through cleaning, you will need to replace them. For example, if the headphone jack port is corroded, you can purchase a replacement headphone jack and solder it onto the logic board after removing the old one. Replacing any corroded flex cables, jacks, ports, buttons or solder points can help resolve issues caused by water damage.
Refer to online visual guides or professional repair shops if you need assistance identifying corrosion issues or properly replacing iPhone parts. Be prepared to replace multiple components since water can cause extensive damage. Use only original Apple parts or high-quality third-party replacements when fixing corrosion issues for best results.
Reset the iPhone
One of the easiest troubleshooting steps to try when dealing with an unresponsive iPhone that won’t turn on properly is to reset it. Resetting the iPhone erases certain system files and settings and can help resolve software issues causing startup problems.
To reset an iPhone with water damage that won’t turn on, first unplug the phone from any charger and remove any SIM card. Then, hold down the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button simultaneously for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. This will force your iPhone to restart. If the Apple logo doesn’t appear after 30 seconds, repeat the steps.
For iPhones without a Home button, like the iPhone X and later models, press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. This will reset the phone.
Resetting the iPhone this way can help clear any software glitches preventing startup and may allow the phone to turn on normally again after water exposure. If the phone still won’t turn on properly after resetting, further hardware-level repairs may be needed.
Replace the Battery
One of the most common issues after water damage on an iPhone is a failing battery. Water can corrode the battery connections and components, leading to reduced capacity or inability to hold a charge [1]. If your iPhone shows signs like unexpectedly shutting down or taking a long time to charge after water exposure, the battery is likely damaged and needs to be replaced [2].
You can take your iPhone to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider to have the battery replaced. Alternatively, you can order a replacement battery online and install it yourself, as long as you feel comfortable carefully opening up the iPhone and swapping out the battery. Just be sure to get a high-quality replacement battery made specifically for your iPhone model.
Replacing the battery can often get an iPhone functioning normally again after water damage when other components are still intact. It’s an affordable fix that’s worth trying before exploring more expensive options like full device replacement.
Restore Through Recovery Mode
If your iPhone is stuck in a boot loop or showing a black screen after water damage, you may need to restore it through recovery mode in iTunes or Finder. Here are the steps to take:
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using the USB cable. Open iTunes on a PC or Finder on a Mac.
- Force restart your iPhone – on iPhone X or later press and release the Volume Up button, then press and release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
- You should see a prompt on your computer that the iPhone is in recovery mode. Click OK.
- In iTunes or Finder, click to restore the phone. This will wipe the phone and install a fresh copy of the firmware.
- If errors occur during restoration, restart both devices and try again. Restoring through recovery can bypass many issues caused by water damage.
According to discussions on Apple’s support forums (source), restoring through recovery mode is one of the only options if your water damaged iPhone is stuck and won’t power on normally. Just be aware this erases the phone, so backup data first if possible.
Get Professional Repair if Needed
If you’ve tried all the DIY troubleshooting steps and your iPhone still has a black screen or won’t turn on, it’s time to seek professional repair. Water damage that has caused severe corrosion on the logic board or other internal components often requires microsoldering repair by an experienced technician.
Microsoldering is a specialized technique that involves using a high-powered microscope and miniature soldering iron to repair damaged circuitry on a device’s logic board. Professionals trained in microsoldering can replace individual components like resistors, capacitors, and chips that have corroded from water exposure.
The cost for professional iPhone water damage repair varies widely based on the extent of the damage and your location. According to this source, you can expect to pay anywhere from $45 to $599 for water damage repair by a professional. Apple charges $549 and up for out of warranty water damage repair.
It’s important to find an experienced and reputable repair shop or technician for microsoldering service. While it can be expensive, professional microsoldering is often the only way to truly fix an iPhone with severe water damage and get it functioning again.
Preventing Water Damage
There are several steps you can take to help prevent water damage to your iPhone in the first place:
Use a waterproof case – Putting your iPhone in a waterproof case before going near water is the best way to prevent damage. Waterproof cases create a seal around the phone to keep water out (1).
Avoid exposing iPhone to liquids – Try to keep your iPhone away from sinks, baths, pools, lakes, etc. where it could be splashed or dropped into water. The iPhone is splash resistant but not waterproof (2).
Turn off before exposure – If you know your iPhone will get wet, power it off first. This can help prevent short circuiting while wet (3).
Be extra careful outdoors – Take extra care when using your phone in rain or snow. Water resistance may be compromised if previously dropped or damaged (2).
With proper precautions, you can avoid the headaches associated with water damage. Investing in a waterproof case and being mindful of exposure can help ensure your iPhone stays dry.