If your iPhone has been exposed to water and is no longer charging properly, there are a few likely culprits. Water can damage the charging port, lightning connector cable, or battery, preventing your device from charging normally. Don’t panic – in many cases it is possible to fix an iPhone that won’t charge after water exposure. This article will walk through the troubleshooting steps to get your iPhone charging again.
Check for Water in the Lightning Port
The most obvious place to check for water exposure is the lightning port itself. The lightning port is where you plug in the charging cable, and any water residue here can prevent a proper connection or short circuit the port. Carefully inspect the lightning port with a flashlight to look for moisture or corrosion.
If you see any water or condensation in the lightning port, you will need to thoroughly dry it out before charging. Do not plug in a lightning cable while the port is still wet, as this can further the damage. Here are some tips for drying out the lightning port:
- Use a can of compressed air to spray out any water in the port
- Absorb excess moisture with a soft cloth
- Place the iPhone port side down on a towel and let sit overnight
- Use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to gently blow dry the port
Be very careful not to get any lint or debris stuck in the port as you dry it, as this can also obstruct charging. Make sure the port is completely dry before attempting to plug in a cable.
Inspect Lightning Cable and Charger
Aside from the iPhone itself, water exposure could also impact the lightning cable and charger you are using for charging. Check over these accessories for any signs of water or damage.
Examine the lightning cable connector at both ends, looking for corrosion or moisture in the metal pins. Bend and manipulate the cable to check for any kinks, tears, or points of internal damage. Test the cable with another device if possible to isolate if the issue is with the cable.
Take a close look at your wall charger brick for any visible water damage. Do not use a charger that has been immersed in water, as this poses a safety risk. The safest option is to replace wet or damaged chargers and only use Apple MFi certified lightning cables in good condition.
Check iPhone Battery Health
One of the most severe effects water can have on an iPhone is damaging the battery. When moisture seeps into the battery housing, it can cause shorts and battery failure. Some signs your iPhone battery may be damaged due to water:
- Swelling or bloating of rear housing
- Poor battery life
- iPhone randomly shutting down
- Unable to turn iPhone back on
- Reduced maximum charge capacity
Check the battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If the “Maximum Capacity” is less than 80%, the battery may need replacement.
You can try charging for several hours to see if you can temporarily revive the iPhone battery after water damage. But it’s likely the battery will need to be swapped for a new one by an iPhone repair shop.
DIY Battery Removal
On some iPhone models it is possible to replace the battery yourself, which can save on repair costs. Be very careful when doing any self-service battery replacement, as lithium-ion batteries can be dangerous if damaged.
- Use a screwdriver to remove rear case screws
- Lift off rear glass or aluminum backing
- Disconnect battery connector cable
- Remove any adhesive or screws securing battery
- Lift out old battery
- Insert new battery, reconnect cable, and reseal iPhone
Check online repair guides for your specific iPhone model before attempting battery replacement. Make sure to properly dispose of swollen or damaged batteries.
Clean Out iPhone Charge Port
Even if the lightning port appears clear of moisture, there could still be corroded or damaged pins obstructing normal charging function. Use a toothpick, soft-bristle toothbrush, or non-conductive pick to gently scrub any grime out of the charging port.
Don’t push debris further into the port. Work carefully around the lightning port perimeter and pin holes. Flush out any dislodged debris with compressed air.
Take a close look with a flashlight and magnifying glass to check if any pins are bent, missing, or discolored. A properly cleaned port should have straight, gold-colored pins.
Check for Liquid Damage Indicators
iPhones have built-in liquid contact indicators that react when exposed to moisture. Look for the indicator stickers in the SIM card slot and sometimes inside other openings.
The liquid contact stickers have a pink or white center that turns red during water damage. This can give you confirmation your iPhone did take on water at some point if you are still experiencing charging issues.
Liquid Damage & Warranty Status
Your iPhone warranty may cover water damage, but this is not guaranteed. Apple’s limited 1-year warranty covers defect issues, but “accidental damage” is not included.
If your iPhone is still under warranty, Apple may repair or replace water damaged iPhones on a conditional basis. Be prepared to pay an out-of-warranty fee that can run $300-$800+ depending on damage severity.
Desiccant Packs
Small moisture-absorbing desiccant packs can help achieve maximum dryness in a water exposed iPhone. These are found in products like beef jerky and shoe boxes.
Bury the iPhone in a large bag full of desiccant packs for 1-3 days. The packs will gradually extract moisture from the phone’s interior and ports. Recharge desiccants in the oven periodically to renew moisture absorption.
Rice Method
A popular home remedy for drying out wet phones is to submerge them in a bowl of rice. Rice can help absorb ambient moisture, but often doesn’t get directly into ports and gaps.
Bury the iPhone in a bowl or bag of rice for 24-48 hours, making sure ports have direct contact with rice grains. The rice should help evaporate any remaining moisture, getting your iPhone one step closer to functioning normally.
Isopropyl Alcohol Cleaning
Use 99% isopropyl alcohol and cotton swabs to gently clean the iPhone lightning port, speaker, microphone, and other openings. This displaces any remaining water and also helps prevent corrosion.
Be very careful not to get any moisture into openings, and do not submerge the iPhone in alcohol. Allow all alcohol to fully evaporate before attempting to power on or charge the device.
Precautions When Cleaning with Alcohol
- Use a low 70% alcohol concentration for surfaces
- Stick to 99% alcohol for cleaning ports
- Use non-conductive swabs designed for electronics
- Avoid getting moisture into any openings
- Don’t use alcohol on screen or rear glass
Open Up and Dry Out iPhone Interior
As a last resort, dismantling your iPhone can help dry out and assess internal water damage. This is recommended only for advanced users comfortable with electronic repair.
Here are general steps to open an iPhone and dry interior components:
- Use a heat gun on low setting to soften rear case adhesive
- Separate screen from frame with plastic pry tools
- Disconnect battery and flex cables with care
- Check logic board, connectors, cameras for corrosion
- Let iPhone sit in front of fan overnight to air dry
- Visually inspect for any blown components or shorted solder points
- Reassemble iPhone with new adhesive gaskets
Take precautions against ESD discharge which can damage internal electronics. Opening up devices voids any warranty coverage, so only take apart an already damaged iPhone as a last ditch fix.
Conclusion
An iPhone that won’t charge after water exposure can often be revived with some DIY troubleshooting techniques. Clean out moisture from the ports, check for damage on the cable and charger, replace battery if needed, and thoroughly dry the phone’s interior.
Moderate water exposure may only temporarily interfere with charging function once the phone is dried out. More serious liquid damage can corrode traces and components, requiring professional microsoldering repairs. Don’t give up hope if your iPhone won’t charge at first after getting wet – implementing these troubleshooting steps can often get it charging again.
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Wet lightning port | Use air and cloths to dry port |
| Damaged charging cable | Replace faulty lightning cable |
| Dead battery | Try charging, may need replacement |
| Corroded charge port | Clean port with brush and alcohol |
| Moisture inside iPhone | Use rice or desiccants to dry interior |
