What is Ghost Touch?
Ghost touch refers to a phenomenon where a smartphone screen registers input that was not actually initiated by the user. It may seem like the screen is being touched or tapped randomly, or a certain area of the display responds incorrectly to touches (Source). This inaccurate and unintended touchscreen behavior is commonly referred to as a “ghost touch.”
Ghost touches are typically caused by hardware issues rather than bugs in the operating system or software. Moisture damage, corrosion of electrical connections, and physical damage to the screen layers can all lead to the digitizer malfunctioning and registering phantom touches (Source). The ghost touches may be intermittent or affect only certain areas of the screen where the underlying hardware components have been compromised.
How Water Causes Ghost Touch
Water can cause the ghost touch issue in a few different ways. When water gets inside a phone, it can seep under the screen and into the layers of chips and circuitry underneath. Water is conductive, so when it gets in contact with the touch sensor and its electrical connections, it can cause corrosion and interfere with the capacitive properties that detect touch input on the screen.
According to experts, water damage usually causes ghost touches and false inputs by corroding the connections between the capacitive touch sensor layer and the phone’s main logic board underneath (source). This corrosion essentially creates false electrical connections that the phone interprets as touch input, even when you are not touching the screen. The amount of water exposure impacts how severe and widespread the corrosion is.
Water may also seep under the screen itself, get between the glass and digitizer layers, and cause full sections of the screen to register false touches. Overall, water exposure can quickly damage the delicate electronics under a smartphone screen and cause all kinds of phantom tapping and swiping.
Preventing Water Damage
One of the best ways to prevent water damage to your phone is by using a waterproof case. As mentioned on Asurion, investing in a waterproof pouch or case can help protect your phone if it gets submerged in water. Make sure to choose a case designed specifically for waterproofing and check the IP rating to ensure it meets the level of water protection you need.
You’ll also want to avoid exposing your phone to water when possible. As Tricked Out Online recommends, keep your phone away from sinks, tubs, pools, and other sources of water. Be extra cautious using your phone in the rain. Limit use in the bathroom or other wet areas.
If your phone does get wet, dry it off immediately with a clean, soft cloth. As noted on Progressive, drying your phone quickly can help minimize water damage and potentially save your device.
Fixing Ghost Touch after Water Damage
The key to fixing ghost touch issues caused by water damage is to fully dry the phone and its internal components. As soon as possible after the phone gets wet, turn it off and wipe away any excess moisture with a dry cloth. Do not attempt to turn it back on until you’re sure it’s completely dry.
For more extensive water damage, you’ll likely need to open up the phone to dry it thoroughly internally. Be very careful when disassembling your phone and follow a repair guide for your specific model. Use compressed air or isopropyl alcohol to gently blow or wipe away any remaining moisture on internal parts and circuit boards. Let the phone’s components fully air dry before reassembling.
If water ingress damaged key components like the screen or touch sensors, you may need to replace them. Water can corrosion traces on circuit boards over time as well, so replace any damaged boards. Replacing damaged parts is the only guaranteed way to permanently fix ghost touch issues stemming from water damage.
Be sure to follow all proper antistatic precautions when opening your phone to avoid any further issues. And if you don’t feel comfortable disassembling and repairing your phone internally, take it to a professional repair shop for service.
Drying the Phone
If your phone gets wet, it’s important to dry it out as quickly as possible to avoid permanent water damage. Here are some tips for drying a wet phone:
First, remove the battery and SIM card. Taking out the battery will prevent shorts and fires. Removing the SIM card will allow better airflow inside the phone.
Next, use compressed air or a fan to blow air into the phone’s ports and other openings. This will help push out any water trapped inside. Do not use a hairdryer or other heat source, as this can damage the phone’s internal components.
You can also use absorbent packets designed for drying out wet electronics. These contain silica gel or other moisture-absorbing materials and will help draw water out of the phone.[1]
Place the phone in a dry, warm area with good airflow. Let it sit for at least 24 hours to allow time for any residual moisture to evaporate.
Opening the Phone
Opening up the phone can allow you to properly dry internal components that may still have moisture trapped inside. However, it’s crucial to follow the disassembly guide for your specific phone model carefully. Different phones have different methods for taking them apart and putting them back together.
Consult the manufacturer’s service guide or look for a disassembly video on YouTube to locate the exact steps needed for your phone. Go slowly and use the proper tools to avoid damaging connectors or components during disassembly. Keep track of any screws or small parts you remove.
Once the phone is opened up, use compressed air or a hair dryer on a low setting to thoroughly dry all internal parts, being careful not to overheat anything. Let the phone sit open for at least 24 hours to allow sufficient drying time. Check for any corroded or damaged components and replace if needed.
Before reassembling, inspect all seals and gaskets, replacing any that got damaged during disassembly. Follow the guide in reverse order to reassemble the phone, again taking care not to force connectors or damage parts. Replace any stripped or lost screws. Consult the guide if any steps prove difficult.
Only after full disassembly, drying, and careful reassembly should you attempt to turn on a water-damaged phone. Rushing the process risks short circuiting and permanent damage. Taking the time to properly open, dry, and reseal the phone gives you the best chance of saving it.
Replacing Parts
Water damage often necessitates replacing internal parts that have been corroded or shorted out. According to Ifixit, the motherboard is commonly affected and may need to be replaced if connections have corroded.
The screen is also susceptible to water damage. If the screen is no longer responsive or displays visual artifacts, a screen replacement may be necessary. According to phone repair experts, the digitizer is often damaged by water exposure and will likely need to be replaced along with the LCD panel.
It’s important to properly diagnose which internal parts have been affected before attempting replacements. In some cases, specialized equipment may be needed to test components like the motherboard. Working with an experienced phone repair technician can help determine which parts need to be swapped out after water damage.
Using Rice to Absorb Moisture
Many people have heard that burying a wet phone in uncooked dry rice can help absorb moisture and fix water damage issues like ghost touching. The thought is that the rice will attract moisture away from the phone’s internal components. However, research has shown that rice is only a partial solution for drying out a phone.
According to this article, while rice is absorbent, it often can’t collect all the moisture trapped deep inside a water-damaged phone. The rice mainly absorbs surface-level moisture. It does not address deeper moisture that could still cause long-term phone issues.
Additionally, leaving a wet phone in rice for too long can actually cause further problems. Rice particles and dust can get stuck inside the phone, especially if ports or seals are already compromised from water damage. This debris can then interfere with charging and other functions.
So while using rice can help draw out some moisture, it should not be relied on as the only method to save a wet phone. Other more effective drying techniques should be used as well.
Software Fixes
Often times ghost touches can be the result of corrupted software or apps misbehaving. Trying a factory reset can fix the issue if it is being caused by faulty software [1]. A factory reset will wipe the device and restore it to factory settings, getting rid of any corrupted files or settings. Just make sure to backup your data first.
For more severe software issues, you may need to re-flash the operating system. This involves downloading the latest OS version for your device from the manufacturer and reinstalling it from scratch. This is an advanced process but is sometimes necessary to fix persistent ghost touch problems coming from low-level software glitches. Re-flashing the OS is like giving your device a completely fresh start, and can eliminate any corrupted files causing ghost touches.
As a last resort before taking your phone to a repair shop, try these software fixes. A factory reset or OS re-flash may be the simple solution you need to get rid of those frustrating phantom touches for good.
When to Take It to a Repair Shop
There comes a point when DIY fixes for water damage are no longer effective, and you need to take your phone to a professional repair shop. According to Asurion, if you’ve dried out the phone thoroughly and tried resetting it, but it still won’t turn on or function properly, it likely needs advanced repairs.
Specifically, you’ll want to take it in if the phone needs any internal parts replaced like the screen, battery, or motherboard. Repair shops have the tools, equipment, and expertise to fully take the phone apart, assess the internal damage, and swap out any corroded components. They can also properly seal and waterproof the phone after repairs.
Replacing major phone components like the display or logic board often costs over $200 according to CellPhoneRepair. So for anything more than minor troubleshooting and drying out, it pays to have the professionals handle it.