How to Get Water Out of Charging Port

It’s happened to all of us, if not you’re a liar. One second your minding your own business and within a second your phone is completely submerged. No matter how it happened or what water your device landed in, at the end of the day what you’re here for is the water clogged in your charging port. It may not even be apparent at first. It could be hours later and all of a sudden your phone may not charge, bonus points if it’s late at night right before your about to hit the hay. Even though it’s quite common, it doesn’t take away from how annoying and stressful this can be especially if you may not be the most tech savvy one out there. Before you get too freaked out, take a step back and follow along with us here to get that water out of the charging port and get your device right back to normal.

Understanding the Problem: Why Water in the Charging Port is an Issue

If your too tired right now, skip this part, but it’s good to have an understanding of how your device works anyway. You never know when it may come in handy. Either way, once there’s water in the charger port this can become an issue real quick due to the fact that water is a very good conductor of electricity. When water hits your charging port it’s very possible it can cause short circuits on the internal electronic components inside your device. In extreme cases this can be fatal for your device but often times it is fixable and only leads to short term malfunctions / damage.

Even if your phone seems to be working alright after it took it’s plunge, it’s a good idea to still follow through with our steps. Often times issues may not pop up until hours later due to residual moisture slowly making it’s way into the device.

Immediate Steps to Take

1. Turn Off Your Device: The first and most important step is to turn off your device immediately. This minimizes the risk of short circuits and other electrical damage. The longer the device is on, the better chance your phone can become cooked. You’ll likely notice your device getting hotter.

2. Remove Any External Accessories: Make sure if you have a case on, take this off as well. There’s a good chance some form of liquid is stuck between your device and the case which may not seem like an issue but will prevent your phone from fully getting all the moisture out..

3. Avoid Plugging In Your Device: Until things have been completely dried up (give it more time than you think), keep your phone unplugged from anything else. Whether that’s a charger or a computer, or anything , keep it isolated.

Effective Methods to Get Water Out Of Charing Port

Now, let’s get into the various methods you can use to remove water from your charging port.

1. Air Drying

The simplest and safest method is to let your phone air dry. Here’s how to do it effectively:

• Positioning: Place your phone in an upright position, with the charging port facing downwards. This allows gravity to help drain the water out. Simply just lean up the phone propped up against some sort of wall and play the waiting game.

• Environment: Leave your phone in a dry, well-ventilated area. Usually it’s a good idea to place it in a place that is getting some sort of air on it. Whether that be by an AC, natural sunlight or a fan, all of the above can help make the process a bit more efficient.

• Patience: This method requires patience. Leave your phone to air dry for at least 24 hours, or longer if possible.

2. Using Absorbent Materials

Absorbent materials can help speed up the drying process by drawing out moisture.

• Silica Gel Packets: These are the little packets that come with new shoes or electronics. There pretty hard to get your hands on unless you happen to have these laying around so I imagine most of you will likely go for the rice method which is just as efficient. Place your phone in a container filled with silica gel packets, ensuring that the phone is surrounded by them. Leave it in the container for at least 24 hours.

• Uncooked Rice: If you don’t have silica gel packets, you can use uncooked rice. Place your phone in a bowl of rice, making sure it is fully submerged. Leave it there for 24-48 hours. While rice is not as effective as silica gel, it can still help in absorbing moisture and is much more likely readily available in your dwelling.

3. Using a Vacuum Cleaner

A vacuum cleaner can help draw out moisture from the charging port. I call this the desperate time for desperate measures method but it’s do or die at this point.

• Setting: Use a vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle attachment.

• Procedure: Hold the nozzle close to the charging port, but not touching it, and turn on the vacuum. Move it around the port for a few minutes to suck out the moisture.

• Caution: Do not use a vacuum cleaner with a high suction power as it might damage the internal components of your phone.

4. Drying Agents

Using drying agents can be another effective way to remove moisture from your phone.

• Alcohol: Isopropyl alcohol can help displace water and evaporate quickly. Dip a small piece of cotton or a soft cloth in isopropyl alcohol and gently dab it around the charging port. Be careful not to let the alcohol seep into other parts of the phone.

• Desiccant Packs: Similar to silica gel, desiccant packs can absorb moisture effectively. Place your phone in a sealed container with desiccant packs and leave it for 24 hours.

Methods to Avoid

While there are many methods that can help, there are also some that should be avoided as they can cause more harm than good that you may mistakenly make your issue way bigger of a hassle then it already it is.

• Hair Dryers: Using a hair dryer might seem like a quick fix, but the high heat can damage the internal components of your phone. It’s actually common for people to jump right to this method. You will only waste your time and build up your frustration.

• Microwaves and Ovens: I wish we didn’t have to say this, but people have actually done this. Never attempt to dry your phone using a microwave or an oven. The intense heat can cause irreparable damage.

• Compressed Air: Using compressed air can push moisture further into your phone, which can deepen your issue.

After Drying: What to Do Next

Once you’ve allowed sufficient time for your phone to dry, there are a few steps you should take before attempting to use it again.

1. Inspect the Charging Port: Use a flashlight to look into the charging port. If you see any residual moisture or debris, use a clean, dry cloth or a soft brush to gently clean it. Even if you think you don’t a simple swab with a q-tip can not hurt.

2. Check for Functionality: Turn on your phone and check if it’s functioning normally. Pay attention to any unusual behavior, such as the screen flickering or unresponsive buttons and most of all an overheating phone.

3. Test the Charging: Once you’re confident that the phone is dry, plug it into a charger to see if it’s charging properly. If it’s not charging, there might still be moisture inside or the charging port could be damaged. Before jumping to that conclusion, try it out with a different charger to make sure the original charger wasn’t damaged either in the original situation.

4. Monitor Your Phone: For the next few days, keep an eye on your phone’s performance. If you notice any issues, such as overheating, battery draining quickly, or the phone turning off unexpectedly, there might still be moisture inside. In such cases, it’s best to consult a professional.

Preventative Measures for the Future

After going through the hassle of drying out your phone, it’s a good idea to take some preventative measures to avoid a repeat scenario.

1. Use Waterproof Cases: Invest in a high-quality waterproof case. These cases are designed to keep your phone safe from water damage. It seems like a pain at first but it’s a headache saver at the end of the day.

2. Regular Maintenance: Clean your phone’s charging port regularly to prevent debris buildup, which can trap moisture. This is a good practice for just about any electronical device regardless of water.

3. Backup Your Data: Regularly back up your phone’s data. In the event of water damage, having a recent backup ensures that you don’t lose important information.

Accidentally getting water in your phone’s charging port can be a nerve-wracking experience, but with the right steps, you can effectively remove the moisture and get your device back to working order. Remember to act quickly, use safe drying methods, and take preventative measures to protect your phone in the future. With patience and care, you can save your phone from water damage and keep it running smoothly.

 

Bonus Interview Practice Section For Electronic Device Repair Technicians

To help you prepare for real-world applications and interviews related to phone maintenance and repair, here are some practice questions and answers.

Q1: Why is it important to turn off a phone immediately after it gets wet?

A1: Turning off the phone minimizes the risk of short circuits and electrical damage. Water is a conductor of electricity, and keeping the phone on increases the chances of current passing through the wet components, which can cause severe damage.

Q2: What is the safest and most effective method to remove water from a charging port?

A2: The safest and most effective method is air drying. Placing the phone in an upright position with the charging port facing downwards in a well-ventilated area allows gravity and airflow to naturally dry out the moisture without causing additional harm.

Q3: Why should you avoid using a hair dryer to dry your phone?

A3: Using a hair dryer can cause more harm than good because the high heat can damage the internal components of the phone. Additionally, the force of the air can push moisture further into the phone, worsening the situation.

Q4: How can silica gel packets help in drying out a phone?

A4: Silica gel packets are highly absorbent materials that can draw moisture away from the phone. Placing your phone in a container filled with silica gel packets can help accelerate the drying process by absorbing the moisture trapped inside the phone.

Q5: What should you do if your phone is not charging properly after it has dried?

A5: If your phone is not charging properly after it has dried, inspect the charging port for any residual moisture or debris. Clean it gently with a dry cloth or soft brush. If the issue persists, consult a professional as there might be internal damage that needs to be addressed.

Q6: What are some preventative measures to protect your phone from water damage in the future?

A6: Preventative measures include using waterproof cases, being cautious around water, regularly cleaning the charging port to prevent debris buildup, and backing up your data regularly to ensure you don’t lose important information in case of water damage.