Did you accidentally spill a drink on your Samsung Galaxy phone or go swimming with it? The good news is that many Samsung phones are water-resistant and some even warn you with a “moisture detected” message if they sense liquid near the charging port. But if that message won’t go away, here’s what you need to do.
Why Do You See Moisture Detected Warning
Samsung Galaxy phones with a waterproof rating of IP68 or higher (including most S and A-series models) have a moisture detection sensor near the charging port. This sensor throws up a “Unplug charger immediately” warning and stops charging if it detects any liquid nearby.
Here’s what can trigger the warning:
- Spilling a drink on the phone.
- Using your phone in heavy rain.
- Showering or swimming with the phone (remember, IP ratings don’t cover pool chemicals or saltwater).
- Extremely humid environments like saunas.
Here’s what your phone does to protect itself:
- If it’s powered on: You’ll see a “Warning: Don’t use charging/USB port” or “Warning: Unplug charger immediately” pop-up with a beeping sound. That’s your phone’s way of saying there’s water nearby and it’s unsafe for charging.
- If it’s out of battery: You might see a water droplet icon on the screen and it may not turn on immediately. Don’t panic! Your phone is playing it safe until it’s completely dry.
- In either case, charging stops to prevent corrosion, short circuit, and water damage.
What to Do Immediately if Your Phone Gets Wet
If your phone is exposed to water or any other liquid, turn it off immediately to minimize the risk of a short circuit. Then, remove the case and any accessories, and wipe it dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
Gently shake or tap it with the charging port facing down to remove trapped water. Use a soft, dry cotton swab or a gentle toothbrush to remove any visible moisture and debris (dust and debris buildup can also trigger the moisture detected warning).
Let your phone dry in a well-ventilated area or near a fan for several hours (ideally overnight). Avoid direct sunlight, heaters, or dryers, as they can damage the phone.
Skip the rice trick. It’s not very effective and can trap broken rice and starch particles. A better option is to use silica gel packets, often found with new shoes or electronics, or purchased separately. Place your phone in an airtight container with these packets and let it sit for 24 hours. This should allow your phone to dry out completely.
What to Do if Moisture Detected Error Won’t Go Away
Double down on drying your phone. Restarting it might help too. If the warning persists after several hours of drying or it never got wet in the first place, maybe it is a software glitch. Here’s how to fix it.
1. Use Wireless Charging for Now
Skip this step if your phone doesn’t support wireless charging. But since wired charging isn’t working right now, consider using a wireless charger to keep your phone powered on while troubleshooting.
Wireless charging bypasses the charging port, so your phone may charge even with the moisture warning. Once your phone has enough power, move on to the other fixes below.
2. Clear USB Cache
Samsung recommends clearing the USB Cache if your phone refuses to charge even after completely drying out the moisture. Here’s how:
1. Open the Settings app. Tap on Apps.
2. Tap the sort icon and toggle on Show System apps. Press OK.
3. Scroll down and tap on the USB Settings app.
4. Tap on Storage > Clear Cache. Then, restart your phone.
3. Restart Your Phone With Charger Plugged in
Turn your phone off completely and then connect it to a charger. Once your phone starts charging, press and hold the Power button to turn it back on. A few Reddit users reported fixing the problem with this trick. You can also give it a try.
If you see the water drop icon with the charging error when trying to boot up, press and hold the Power + Volume down button at the same time. This should bypass the moisture warning and restart your phone normally.
4. Turn Off Fast Charging
In some cases, users have reported success charging their phones by turning off fast charging. This might be because Samsung potentially limits charging (above a certain voltage) when moisture is detected.
You can try this by going to Settings > Battery > Charging Settings and toggling off Fast charging. Be aware that this may not work for everyone.
5. Check Your Cable; Charger Location
Even if your phone’s charging port looks dry, the culprit might be elsewhere. Consider two things:
- Try a Different Cable: The USB cable itself might still have moisture. This could be from direct exposure to water or from trying to charge your phone while it was wet. Swap to a different cable and see if that solves the problem.
- Change Your Charging Location: High-condensation areas like kitchens and bathrooms can sometimes trick the moisture sensor. Try charging your phone in a drier room and see if the error disappears.
6. Force Stop Android System
Force-stopping the Android System can make the moisture-detected warning go away. But while this method might work for some, it’s a last resort because it can potentially make your phone unstable. It essentially shuts down important processes on your phone to remove the notification.
1. Head to Settings > Apps.
2. Tap the sort button and toggle on Show System Apps.
3. Find Android System in the list. Tap on it and hit Force Stop > OK.
Now, try charging the device. Remember, it’s only a temporary solution and doesn’t solve the root cause – if your USB port still has moisture, the warning may return.
