How to Fix a Phone That Got Wet (Water Damage Repair Guide)

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Dropping your phone in water is one of the most stressful situations ever. Whether it fell in the sink, toilet, shower, pool, sea, or got soaked in the rain, water damage can cause serious problems like screen glitches, no sound, charging issues, or the phone not turning on at all.

The good news: in many cases, you can save a wet phone if you act quickly and correctly. The bad news: doing the wrong things (like using a hair dryer or charging it immediately) can make the damage much worse.

In this complete water damage repair guide, you’ll learn step by step what to do immediately after your phone gets wet, what you must never do, how to dry it properly, and what to try if the phone doesn’t turn on or has problems afterward.

Step 1: Remove the Phone From Water Immediately

The longer your phone stays in water, the more damage water can do to the internal components.

  • Take the phone out of the water as fast as possible.
  • If it’s in a pool or sink, grab it quickly and move away from water.
  • Do not shake the phone — this may spread water inside.

Seconds matter. Even a 10–20 second difference can change the final result.

Step 2: Turn the Phone OFF Immediately

Electricity + water = short circuits. If your phone is still on after getting wet, turning it off quickly can prevent permanent damage.

  • Hold the Power button.
  • Tap Power Off or Shut Down.

If the touchscreen is unresponsive, try holding the power button for 10–15 seconds to force a shutdown.

Important: If the phone turned itself off after getting wet, do NOT try to turn it back on yet. That can cause more damage.

Step 3: Disconnect Everything (Case, SIM, Accessories)

Now you want to remove anything that might trap water or conduct electricity.

  • Remove the phone case.
  • Take off any screen protector if water is trapped underneath.
  • Unplug headphones, charger, USB-C cable, or any other accessories.
  • Remove the SIM card tray and SIM card.
  • If available, remove the microSD card.

Don’t use force. If something is stuck, don’t pry with metal tools.

Step 4: Gently Dry the Outside of the Phone

Use a soft, dry cloth or paper towel to remove visible water.

  • Wipe the screen, back, and sides carefully.
  • Gently dab around the charging port, SIM slot, and buttons.
  • Do not push water deeper into openings.

A microfiber cloth is ideal because it absorbs water without scratching the screen.

Step 5: Position the Phone to Help Water Drain

Once the outside is dry, try to help water inside the phone move out instead of deeper in.

  • Place the phone on a flat surface.
  • If water entered through the top (earpiece/speaker), place it standing upright.
  • If water entered from the bottom (charging port), place it standing upside down so gravity helps drain the port.

Do not shake the phone aggressively. Gentle movement is fine, but shaking hard can spread liquid inside.

Step 6: What You Must NOT Do

There are some very common mistakes that people make which can destroy the phone completely.

Do NOT:

  • Do NOT charge the phone.
  • Do NOT try to turn it on to “check if it works”.
  • Do NOT use a hair dryer (hot air can melt components and push water deeper).
  • Do NOT put it in an oven or microwave (dangerous and guaranteed to kill the phone).
  • Do NOT blow into the ports with your mouth (you push more moisture inside).
  • Do NOT shake the phone like crazy.

Patience is your best friend after water damage.

Step 7: Use Air and Time – The Most Important Drying Method

The most effective safe method for drying a phone is time + air circulation.

  • Place the phone in a dry room with normal air flow.
  • If possible, place it near (not on top of) a fan or a cool air source.
  • Leave it there for at least 24–48 hours.

Some people recommend placing the phone near a window where there is indirect sunlight — that can help, but never let the phone overheat.

Step 8: Should You Use Rice or Silica Gel?

There is a very popular “tip” that says: put your wet phone in rice. But is that really helpful?

  • Rice can absorb some moisture from the air, but it does not magically suck water out from deep inside the phone.
  • It can also leave dust or small particles inside ports and speakers.

A better option is using silica gel packs (those small “Do Not Eat” packets that come in shoe or electronics boxes):

  • Place the phone in a box with several silica gel packets.
  • Do not seal the phone in a completely airtight container with no air — air movement is still helpful.

If you don’t have silica gel, it’s still fine. Air + time is usually enough. The most important part is: leave the phone powered off long enough.

Step 9: Wait at Least 24–48 Hours Before Turning It On

This is the hardest part — but crucial. Even if the phone looks dry on the outside, there may still be moisture inside.

  • Leave the phone turned off for at least 24 hours.
  • For heavy water exposure (like full submersion), aim for 48 hours.

The longer you wait before powering it on, the higher your chances of survival.

Step 10: Test the Phone After Drying

After at least 24–48 hours of drying time, you can test your phone.

  • Reinsert the SIM card and microSD card (if you removed them).
  • Make sure the phone feels fully dry.
  • Press and hold the Power button.

If the phone turns on normally — that’s a great sign. But you still need to check if everything works correctly.

Step 11: Check for Common Water Damage Problems

Even if the phone turns on, you should test all important functions:

  • Screen: Check for flickering, yellow spots, lines, low brightness, ghost touches.
  • Sound: Test speakers, earpiece, and headphones.
  • Microphone: Make a test call and see if people can hear you.
  • Camera: Check both front and back lenses for fog or blur.
  • Charging: Plug in the charger and check if it charges normally.
  • Buttons: Test the power and volume buttons.
  • WiFi & Bluetooth: Try turning them on and connecting.

Any unusual behaviour can be a sign that some water damage remains inside.

Step 12: If the Phone Won’t Turn On

If the phone does not respond at all after 24–48 hours of drying:

  • Try charging it with a known good charger and cable for 15–30 minutes.
  • Try a different wall socket.
  • Check if any sign of life appears (vibration, sound, charging icon).

If there is still absolutely no response, water may have damaged the motherboard, battery, or power circuitry.

In this case, do NOT keep forcing it. Take it to a professional repair shop, preferably one with water damage diagnostics and proper cleaning tools (like ultrasonic cleaners).

Step 13: If the Phone Turns On but Has Issues

Here’s what to do if some specific parts are not working after water exposure:

Speaker Sounds Muffled or Crackly

  • Sometimes water sits in the speaker grill.
  • Keep the phone in a dry, warm (not hot) place again for a few more hours.
  • Face the speaker downwards so water can drain.

Microphone Not Working

  • Water may be trapped in a tiny microphone hole.
  • Let the phone dry longer.
  • A repair shop can open and clean it properly if needed.

Charging Issues After Water Damage

  • Never force a charger into a wet charging port.
  • If the phone gives a “moisture detected” warning, leave it unplugged and dry for several hours.
  • Clean the port gently with a dry wooden toothpick if you suspect dirt or corrosion.

Screen Issues (Flickering, Lines, Ghost Touch)

  • The display connector or layers may still be slightly wet or damaged.
  • In some cases, only the screen needs replacing (not the whole phone).
  • This usually requires a professional technician.

Step 14: When Should You Go to a Repair Shop?

You should stop trying to fix it at home and go to a repair shop if:

  • The phone still doesn’t turn on after 48 hours of drying.
  • The phone turns on but keeps restarting, freezing, or acting strange.
  • The screen is heavily damaged (big dark spots, lines, or no display).
  • You see corrosion around the SIM tray or charging port.

A good repair technician can open the phone, clean corrosion, dry components properly, and sometimes save a phone that looks completely dead.

Can a “Waterproof” Phone Still Be Damaged?

Many phones today are marketed as water-resistant with ratings like IP67 or IP68. That does not mean they are invincible.

  • Water resistance can weaken over time due to drops or aging.
  • High pressure (like underwater diving) can push water inside.
  • Salt water and soapy water are more corrosive than clean water.

Even if your phone is water-resistant, always act carefully if it gets fully submerged.

How to Protect Your Phone From Future Water Damage

  • Use a waterproof case if you go to the pool, beach, or boat.
  • Avoid using your phone near sinks, toilets, and bathtubs.
  • Never put your phone on the edge of a sink or bath.
  • Use wireless headphones instead of holding the phone near water.

Conclusion

Water damage doesn’t always mean your phone is dead forever. If you act quickly — turn it off, dry it correctly, avoid common mistakes like using heat, and give it 24–48 hours to fully dry — you have a good chance of saving it.

If problems remain, a professional repair shop can often fix water-related issues like screen damage, charging problems, or internal corrosion. Acting fast, staying patient, and avoiding risky “quick fixes” is the key to saving a wet phone.