If your phone was exposed to water and now won’t turn on, there are a few likely culprits for what went wrong. Water can damage electronics in phones, triggering them to turn off and become unresponsive. But depending on the type of water exposure and phone model, the phone may still be repairable. Here’s a quick look at why water makes phones stop working and what you can try to get a water-damaged phone working again.
What happens when a phone gets wet?
Water itself does not damage phones directly. The real problems come from corrosion and short circuits that water causes inside a phone:
- Corrosion – When water gets into the ports and components inside a phone, it can cause corrosion on the metal contacts and circuitry. This corrosion builds up over time and prevents electrical signals from passing through the corroded areas, interrupting connections.
- Short circuits – Water can cause short circuits between closely spaced components and circuit board traces. Short circuits redirect current in unintended ways, which can disable phones.
Both corrosion and short circuits disrupt the tiny electrical signals that allow a phone to function. A phone may appear entirely dead when there are just a few damaged areas causing connectivity problems between components.
Which phone components are most vulnerable to water damage?
While water can damage any part of a phone, the most common points of failure are:
- Screen connectors – Water often seeps into the seam between the phone’s screen and body, corroding the connectors and getting behind the screen.
- Charging port – The charging port is one of the easiest points for water to enter a phone. Corrosion can build up on the port’s pins.
- Speakers – Speakers use paper or cloth membranes that can absorb water and stop working.
- Circuit boards – Water between tightly packed components on circuit boards is a recipe for short circuits.
- Battery – While properly sealed batteries are water-resistant, corrosion in the battery or connections to it can occur.
Deep inner components like the processor or RAM chips are more resistant to water damage as they have conformal coatings. But they can still fail if corrosion spreads.
Factors that influence water damage
Several factors affect how severely water exposure will damage a phone:
- Water type – Pure fresh water causes the least damage, while salt water and chlorinated water are more corrosive. Soap, soda, and other liquids can also leave corrosive residue.
- Exposure time – The longer a phone sits in water, the more damage corrosion and short circuits can cause.
- Depth – Greater water pressure pushes water into more internal components.
- Phone design – How well the phone is sealed against water ingress determines how much gets inside.
Phones marketed as waterproof or water-resistant can survive shallow immersion without issue. But no phone is impervious to water damage given enough exposure.
Signs your phone suffered water damage
How can you tell if water caused your phone to stop working? Here are some telltale signs of water damage:
- Won’t turn on at all, even when on charger
- Distorted or absent sound from speakers
- Poor touchscreen response
- Buttons and ports stop working
- Camera fails or has poor image quality
- Error messages about moisture being detected
- Evidence of water in SIM card tray
- Corrosion visible on ports or openings
The more signs of water damage you notice, the more extensive the damage likely is. Phones with minor exposure may just have a corroded charging port and work otherwise.
Can a water-damaged phone be fixed?
It is often possible to resurrect a water-damaged phone with proper cleaning and repair. However, success depends on these factors:
- Level of damage – Minor oxidation that just prevents charging may be an easy fix. But corrosion reaching the core processor can be impossible to repair.
- Repair expertise – Professional phone repair shops have techniques to fully clean corrosion and replace damaged parts.
- Cost vs value – At a certain point, extensive repairs cost more than replacing the phone.
If the phone was only exposed to water briefly and shows some signs of life, there’s a good chance of salvaging it. But a phone that was submerged for a long time or shows no signs of functionality even after drying out likely has damage beyond economic repair.
First steps for a wet phone
When your phone gets wet, quick action is essential to limit damage. Here are the first things to do:
- Dry it off – Remove as much external water as possible with a dry cloth. Dab carefully in openings.
- Don’t charge it – Don’t plug in the charger as this can cause further damage.
- Turn it off – If possible, power the phone down to avoid shorts.
- Remove the battery – If the battery is removable, take it out to prevent further exposure of the circuits.
- Dry it thoroughly – Let the phone dry completely for 24-48 hours before attempting to use it.
Following these steps gives you the best chance of having a phone that works again after drying out. Avoid the temptation to power up a wet phone to check it – more use can make problems worse.
Deep cleaning waterlogged phones
After thorough drying, it’s time to clean up the phone interior. Steps can include:
- Opening the phone to access the interior. This usually starts by heating adhesive holding the screen on.
- Carefully cleaning corrosion from connectors and contacts with isopropyl alcohol.
- Cleaning out and drying speaker, mic, cameras, buttons, and other openings.
- Inspecting circuit boards for signs of shorts and cleaning any corrosion.
- Testing and replacing any malfunctioning parts like the charging port or speaker.
- Sealing the phone again when done. Resealing the screen and openings is essential for preventing future liquid ingress.
A deep cleaning and component replacement can bring back phones that initially seem beyond hope. Just be sure to take your time and follow phone repair best practices.
When to give up on water damage repair
Despite best efforts, water-damaged phones sometimes can’t be revived. Signs a phone may not be salvageable include:
- Corrosion on processor or other chips under microscope
- Board traces corroded away or shorted
- Damage to battery or other vital components
- Screen won’t work reliably even after cleaning
- Cost of replacement parts exceeds the phone value
If examination during cleaning reveals extensive internal corrosion, it likely indicates irreparable damage. Component-level board repair and soldering skills could recover some phones in this state, but reach the limits of what’s realistically repairable.
When to replace rather than repair
The cost-benefit analysis also has to favor repair over replacement. With repair labor and any replacement parts, the total bill can approach the cost of a new phone. If this is the case, replacement becomes the more sensible option.
Inexpensive older phones usually aren’t worth fully repairing compared to replacement. But for newer high-end phones, extensive repairs can be justified.
Preventing water damage to phones
While dealing with water-damaged phones is difficult, avoiding the damage in the first place is the best policy. Here are smart tips to keep phones dry:
- Use a protective case designed to be water-resistant.
- Attach a water-repellent screen protector for more protection.
- Avoid exposing your phone to rain and splashes.
- Keep the phone away from wet surfaces which can cause moisture ingress.
- Never shower, bathe or swim with your phone.
- Don’t place phones near sinks which can lead to splashes or drops into water.
Moisture-absorbing silica gel packs can also be stored with phones to actively keep them dry when not in use. With some care, nearly all water damage can be avoided.
Drying out wet phones with different methods
After getting a phone wet, how you dry it out can mean the difference between temporary and permanent damage. Some things to keep in mind:
- Air drying is safest – Give the phone at least 24 hours to thoroughly air dry before using it.
- Avoid heat – Exposing phones to heat can make water damage worse by spreading corrosion.
- Don’t bury in rice – While a popular idea, rice is not effective at drying phones.
- Don’t use hormones or cleaners – These chemical agents can further damage phone components.
- Vacuum drying systems – Professional drying systems suck moisture out of phones safely.
Patience is the most important part of drying. Letting the phone thoroughly dry before powering it on avoids short-circuiting water that is still inside.
Why rice doesn’t help dry out phones
Burying a wet phone in a bowl of rice is one of the most common ways people try to dry it out. But rice turns out to be ineffective for a few reasons:
- Poor moisture absorption – Rice doesn’t pull moisture from inside devices well compared to desiccants.
- Airflow obstruction – Rice packed around the phone blocks airflow, slowing evaporation.
- Trapped moisture – Any moisture absorbed into the rice doesn’t fully evaporate and can re-wet the phone later.
Rice only dries out the most superficial moisture on a phone. For internal water exposure, rice bowls provide minimal benefits compared to drying with airflow.
| Repair Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Screen replacement | $100-$300 |
| Charging port replacement | $50-$150 |
| Speaker or mic replacement | $25-$100 |
| Deep cleaning and corrosion removal | $150-$300 |
| Full motherboard replacement | $250-$500 |
Costs vary based on phone model and extent of the damage. But expect $100-$300 to successfully repair most water-damaged phones.
Replacing water damaged phones
When water exposure leaves a phone beyond repair, replacement is the only option. Here are some things to consider when buying a replacement phone after water damage:
- Same model or better – Get a phone with equivalent or improved features compared to your old model.
- Increased water resistance – Choose a water resistant phone rated at IP67 or IP68.
- Save data – Salvage any data and photos still retrievable from the damaged phone.
- SIM card swap – Move your SIM card to the new phone to keep the same number.
Buying a deliberately water-resistant replacement phone gives you peace of mind after experiencing water damage. And when selecting a model, prioritize quick water damage mitigation features like removable batteries.
What phone brands handle water exposure best?
Some phone manufacturers design their products to be more water-resistant and recoverable after water exposure. Brands that are highly regarded for water protection include:
- Apple – Recent iPhones boast industry-leading IP68 ratings.
- Samsung – Many Galaxy models are IP67 or IP68 rated.
- Google Pixel – Google’s Pixel phones meet IP67 and IP68 standards.
- LG – Models like the LG G7 ThinQ are IP68 certified.
Choosing a phone by one of these brands improves your chances of surviving occasional water exposure. However, no phone is truly waterproof under all conditions.
Conclusion
Water damage is one of the most serious hazards phones face. While no phone is impervious, you can improve survival chances by drying quickly, cleaning thoroughly, and repairing professionally. In a worst case, replacing the phone with a water-resistant model prevents repeat failures. Use sensible precautions, and even if your phone takes an unexpected swim, there’s a good chance it can be revived.
