If your phone or other electronic device gets wet, you may be wondering if the screen will still work properly after drying out. There are a few quick answers to this common question:
It depends on the type and extent of water exposure
Small splashes or spills on an intact screen are less likely to cause damage than submersion or prolonged wetness. If the device is only briefly exposed to moisture and then thoroughly dried, the screen may be fine. But if it’s wet for a long time, or submerged, moisture can seep deeper into the device and cause corrosion or electrical shorts.
Water damage may not be immediately obvious
Right after getting wet, the screen may appear to still work normally. But water damage can progressively worsen over hours or days as corrosion sets in. So even if the screen seems fine at first, problems could show up later from unseen water penetration.
Look for visual cues of water damage
Carefully inspect the screen for any signs of water intrusion like moisture in the display, fogging or condensation under the glass, visible corrosion, dead pixels, or darkened areas. These are indications that water got inside and likely caused some damage.
Test the touchscreen responsiveness
One of the first things to fail from moisture is the touchscreen digitizer. Try tapping and scrolling around the screen to make sure it consistently responds to touches. Dead spots or a lack of response indicate water damage to the digitizer.
Check for flickering, distortion or discoloration
Display problems like flickering, lines, distorted images, or blotchy patterns can signify water damage to the screen even if it still lights up. Try displaying different colors/images and watch for any artifacts or abnormalities.
Connect it to a charger and turn it on
If the screen remains black when powering on, it likely means water reached the interior circuits and components. However, some wet phones recover after drying out for several days. So try charging and powering it on periodically during the drying process.
Conclusion
Minor water exposure may not affect a screen much if the phone is quickly dried. But substantial wetness can damage many internal parts, potentially including the screen. Carefully check for physical damage, thoroughly test screen functions, and be patient during drying. Immediately backing up data and minimizing device use is also recommended in case problems emerge later. If in doubt, take it to a repair shop for professional assessment.
What types of water damage affect screens?
Many different water exposure scenarios can potentially damage device screens and display components. Some of the most common include:
Full immersion
Dropping a phone into water, a toilet, or any liquid source usually leads to serious screen damage. Immersion allows water to rapidly enter internal components.
Splashes and spills
Smaller splashes or spills directly onto a screen from rain, sinks, drinks, etc. They may permeate cracks and openings.
Showers or baths
Using a phone in the shower or bath puts it in prolonged warm steamy conditions perfect for moisture to infiltrate.
Washing machines
Going through the wash cycle exposes the device to a soaking wet, churning environment that forces water into every crevice.
Extreme humidity or dampness
In hot steamy bathrooms or other humid environments, moisture can still seep into the delicate electronics over time, causing corrosion.
How exactly can water damage screens and displays?
Water can harm screens through various mechanisms:
Short circuiting digitizer
The digitizer detects finger touches via a grid of electrodes. Water can short circuit this grid and disable touch response.
Corroding display cables
Ribbon cables connecting the display can corrode from moisture, leading to malfunctions.
Damaging LCD matrix
The LCD matrix layer contains the liquid crystal pixels that form images. Water can break down components and cause display issues.
Reaching backlight LEDs
If moisture penetrates deeply enough, it can damage the LEDs providing backlighting to the LCD matrix.
Delaminating layers
Water trapped between the display laminated layers can push them apart, distorting visibility.
What steps can I take to recover from water damage?
Immediately power off and dry it
Don’t try to power on a wet device. Gently shake excess water out of openings, wipe clean, and air dry thoroughly for at least 24-48 hours.
Use desiccant packs
Placing the phone in a sealed bag with desiccant packs pulls moisture out.
Disassemble and clean
Taking the phone apart to clean out any trapped moisture speeds up the drying process.
Check for corrosion
Inspect closely for any sign of corrosion on internal components and clean it off if present.
Test functionality during drying
Power it on periodically to see if the screen and touch functions return after drying.
Use moisture-absorbing products
Moisture-absorbing pads or bags left inside the phone can help extract remaining dampness.
Have an expert repair it
For serious water damage, professional repair specialists have tools to thoroughly dry internal components and remediate damage.
When should I replace my water-damaged screen rather than attempting to dry and repair it?
Replacement is often necessary if the screen shows one or more of the following issues after water exposure:
Visible physical damage
You notice cracked glass, distorted or separated display layers, burned-out pixels, or corrosion deposits.
Digitizer completely unresponsive
The touchscreen does not respond at all when drying and testing touch functionality.
Display fails to light up
Either nothing displays on-screen or the picture cuts out intermittently.
Persistent flickering, lines or distortion
Screen artifacts and abnormalities remain even after thorough drying indicates irrevocable damage.
Internal moisture remains detectable
You can still clearly see condensation or wetness through the display glass after attempting to dry it for several days.
How much does it cost to replace a water-damaged screen?
Screen replacement costs vary based on phone model, screen type, repair difficulty, and who does the repair work. Here are some typical price ranges:
| Phone Type | Repair Cost Range |
|---|---|
| iPhone | $130 – $350 |
| Samsung Galaxy | $180 – $280 |
| Google Pixel | $140 – $260 |
| OnePlus | $150 – $250 |
Apple repairs tend to be the most expensive. Third party and DIY repairs cost much less than manufacturer or phone carrier repairs. Complex screen replacements like those involving digging into soldered cables or removing lots of components can have much higher costs. And premium OLED display repairs are typically more expensive than LCD.
Should I get water damage repaired by the manufacturer, carrier, or third party?
Each repair option has tradeoffs to consider:
Manufacturer
Pros: OEM parts, quality workmanship, warranty on repair
Cons: Very high cost, long turnaround time
Carrier
Pros: Convenient, some repair warranty
Cons: Moderate cost, use third party vendors
Third party repair
Pros: Affordable, quick turnaround, many locations
Cons: Varying quality, third party parts, no/short warranty
Ultimately the best option depends on your budget, how quickly you need the phone fixed, warranty requirements, and screen replacement complexity for your model.
How can I prevent water damage to my phone screen?
You can help keep your screen working and avoid costly water damage repairs using protective measures:
Use a water-resistant phone case
A good waterproof case seals out moisture from splashes or brief immersion.
Apply a screen protector
They create an extra barrier preventing water from touching the screen.
Keep away from water hazards
Avoid setting the phone on sink edges, bringing it in bathrooms or pool areas, etc.
Turn off before wet use
Power it down if you need to have it exposed to rain or other wet environments.
Don’t charge uncovered outlets
Only use manufacturer-approved drying methods before plugging into chargers.
Inspect seals and openings
Check for cracks or gaps in the frame that could let moisture sneak in.
Can I save a phone that still works after water damage?
If your phone remains at least partially functional after getting wet, prompt action can help minimize ongoing damage and possibly extend its lifespan:
Immediately dry it out
Thorough air drying right after water exposure gives you the best chance of saving it.
Clean out traces of moisture
Use moisture-wicking products and disassemble to clean out unseen trapped dampness.
Check for corrosion and defects
Inspect closely for corrosion and damage. Clean and gently dry corroded areas.
Test and monitor phone functions
Make sure features like call making, charging, speakers all still work properly.
Back up your data ASAP
Save any important data in case problems emerge down the road.
Avoid excessive stress on the device
Don’t use it for processor-intensive activities and minimize exposure to new moisture.
Conclusion
Water damage can happen easily but significantly impact device functionality when moisture reaches delicate internal electronics. For minor exposure, thorough drying and cleaning may salvage your phone’s screen without the need for component-level repairs or replacements. But more extensive water contact often requires professional work to fix or swap out damaged parts. Taking protective measures can help you avoid costly screen repairs down the road.