Why Won’t My Phone Charge After I Dropped It in Water?

Question

234 viewsMay 24, 2025Phone

3 Answers

Vic · Answer 1 · 2025-05-24T20:52:40+00:00

Oh no, did your phone take a plunge and isn’t charging anymore? If it happens, you’re gonna wanna move fast to try and save it. Here’s a quick rundown of what to do next:

First off, yank that thing out of the water right away. The longer it stays wet, the more trouble you’re in. If it’s still on, shut it down ASAP to avoid any chance of a short circuit.
Next, take off anything you can—case, SIM, memory card. If the battery’s removable, pop that out too. This will help it dry better.
Grab a soft cloth or paper towel and gently dab it to soak up as much water as you can see. Don’t get carried away and start rubbing or you could push water further in. Now, whatever you do, don’t use heat to dry it out. No hairdryers or leaving it in the sun—they could roast the insides even more.
Here’s a trick: throw it into a container with silica gel packets (you know, those little packets you find in shoeboxes). Leave it there for a day or two. Forget about rice—it can leave dust and tiny bits inside your gadget.
Once you’re sure it’s dry, look for any moisture indicators that might’ve changed colors—these are usually near the SIM slot or battery area. Now, cross your fingers and plug it in to charge. If it doesn’t come back to life right away, leave it a bit longer before switching it on again.
If it starts glitching, like apps crashing or touchscreens lagging, there’s a chance some water damage is still lurking. At this point, maybe it’s time to hit up a repair shop for some professional help.

Long story short, grab it from the water, switch it off, take apart what you can, dry it right, cross your fingers, and then test it carefully. And if it acts up, don’t hesitate to get a pro involved. Good luck!

Halcyon · Answer 2 · 2025-05-24T19:50:33+00:00

Alright, so you just dropped your phone in the water and now it’s not charging. Let’s try to bring it back to life with a few simple hacks:

1. Kill the Power: First things first, shut off your phone to avoid any electrical mishaps.

2. Strip it Down: Yank off that case, SIM, and microSD card to help it breathe. Trust me, it’ll thank you for it.

3. Wipe it Dry: Grab a cloth and give your phone a good pat down. Let’s ditch the visible water first.

4. Silica Magic: Pop your phone in a bag full of silica gel packets. Let those moisture magnets do their thing for about 48 hours.

5. Give Some TLC to the Charging Port: A little love with some compressed air or a soft brush can clear out any gunk or leftover moisture.

6. Swap Accessories: Try different cables and chargers once it’s all dried up. You never know, it might be a cable issue.

7. Rice to the Rescue: No silica? No worries. Toss your phone into some uncooked rice for 48 hours. Old-school trick, but hey, it sometimes works.

8. Get Some Expert Help: If your phone still seems to be on a strike, it’s probably time to call in the pros.

Quick Tip: Keep heat sources away, like a hairdryer. It’s tempting, but not worth the risk of frying things.

I’ve messed around with fixing phones after accidental swims, and these steps can really make a difference. But, a little bit of manufacturer’s advice or a check with iFixit and Asurion can help avoid any major mishaps. Fingers crossed it wasn’t a swim in saltwater – that’s a whole different beast!

Terran · Answer 3 · 2025-05-24T19:34:05+00:00

Okay, so your phone decided to take a dip and now it won’t charge. Let’s break down what’s happening and how you can fix it—or at least try to.

Step 1: Quick Rescue Mission

You know water messes with electronics, right? It can cause short circuits, and even if your phone seems okay at first, it might be cooking up problems like corrosion that’ll give you grief later.

What should you do ASAP?

Turn it off right away. Seriously, don’t even think about trying to power it on. You’re avoiding frying its brain here.
Get rid of all the bits and pieces. Pop out the SIM card, SD card, and case. If you’ve got an old-school model with a removable battery, yank that out, too.
Dry it off. Pat it down with a microfiber cloth. Forget about shaking it like a Polaroid or blasting it with a hairdryer—that’s a recipe for disaster, pushing water further in.

Step 2: Sticky Situation in the Charging Port

This little guy could be holding onto some drops of water or gunk, which means no dice on getting a charge.

Here’s how you solve that:

Dry the port as best as you can: Let it sit out where it’s nice and dry—like on your desk—for a couple of days. Toss in some silica gel packets or some uncooked rice to sop up that moisture. Just steer clear of heat tools because they can do more harm than good.
Give it a clean: A soft toothbrush or some compressed air can help clear out the crud. For those stubborn spots, grab a cotton swab dipped in some isopropyl alcohol (70% or better), and clean ‘er up. Make sure it’s bone dry before plugging back in.

Step 3: The Dreaded Corrosion

This is what happens when metal gets too cozy with water. Look for rust, weird deposits, or a swollen battery.

Game plan:

Get a pro to clean the insides: Someone with the right gear can dismantle and scrub away the yucky stuff.
Replace what’s busted: If the port or battery is shot, you might need to swap them out. It’s sometimes a pricey fix.

Step 4: Software Playing Dirty

Yeah, sometimes water throws your phone’s software for a loop, even if the hardware is alright.

Here’s the trick to fix that:

Force a restart: Give your phone the ol’ reset. On iPhones: Press Volume Up, then Down, and hold the Side button until the Apple logo pops up. On Android: Hold the Power + Volume Down for a good 10-15 seconds.
Factory reset as a last resort: Back up your stuff first. If it charges post-reset, you can bet it was a software glitch.

Step 5: Major Internal Meltdown

Water can hit hard, damaging stuff like the motherboard. If your phone’s running hot or sports those dreaded water-damage indicators, it’s really time to panic.

What’s the next move?

Call in the big guns: Professional help is crucial; you dabbling in the guts might break it beyond repair.
Hold on to what matters: If the phone’s toast, data recovery from the storage chip might save your precious info.

Step 6: Test It Right & Prevention Hacks

Post-repair check:

Try a different charger to see if the cable’s the culprit.
Give wireless charging a shot—does the port still throw fits?

Don’t let this happen again:

Snag a waterproof case if you’re prone to aquatic adventures.
Don’t charge your phone in a steamy bathroom.
Monthly port cleaning with compressed air to keep things tidy.

Time for an Upgrade?

If fixing it costs more than half its value, especially for older phones, it might be time to bid farewell and move on.

By targeting all things moisture, corrosion, and tech hiccups, you stand a chance at breathing life back into your beloved device. If all else fails, get yourself to a repair shop—you don’t want your DIY instincts leaving your phone in worse shape.