Wet Cell Phone Repair

Even though you may have purchased the insurance on your cell phone, if it is dropped in water or other liquids, most insurance plans will not cover the loss.  Most phones have indicators that change colors when the phone is exposed to moisture, so the insurance is not likely to pay for repair or replacement of a phone that has been water damaged. This is why it is important to know how to fix a wet cell phone yourself whenever it is still possible to do so.

If you have never tried to buy a cell phone that is not on contract, you may be surprised at what you find.  That phone that cost you a penny with a two-year contract is likely to run $200 or more without a contract.  If you already have a contract with the company for 18 months, it is unlikely that they will sell you another unit at the original price until your last contract is almost over.  This has left many people with the option of finding how to dry out a cell phone or paying a ridiculous price to purchase a phone out of contract.  If your phone has recently gone for a swim, try these steps directed at how to save a cell phone.

If the phone is powered on, immediately turn it off and remove the battery.  Do not attempt to power the phone on again until it has had time to thoroughly dry.  This may take several days, so owners of wet cell phones are going to have to be patient.

In addition to removing the battery, also remove the SIM card if the phone has one.  This card contains some important information that can often be saved even if the phone cannot.  Use clean paper towels to dry the outside of the SIM card and any visible moisture that can be seen inside the phone.  While you will not be able to completely dry the phone with paper towels, any moisture you remove in this manner will not be left in the phone to cause further damage or to have to be dried in other ways later.

1.  Give it time. If at all possible give the phone at least a week before attempting to power it up again.  The goal is to allow every last drop of moisture to evaporate out of the phone.  Keep the phone in a warm dry area with the battery removed along with any other removable parts.  Try a window that receives afternoon sun for additional heat.
2.  Rice is nice. Rice often makes a nice desiccant that helps to remove moisture from the phone.  Other materials that may help include cat litter or silica gel.  These materials often contain small particles that can damage the phone, so the best advice is to place it inside a thin cloth bag, dry sock or the foot cut off a pair of panty hose to protect it from the dust.  Leave the phone buried in the material for several days in order to dry it out.

3.  Blow it up. Although you may want to dynamite the phone due to your carelessness, try canned air that is designed for computer cleaning can help to speed the drying process.  Always hold the can upright when spraying the phone and use the little straw to direct the air inside the case.  When the can is upright, the cold liquid that could cause further damage is less likely to flow out the nozzle.  Other ways to increase air flow is to direct a fan toward the open cell phone or to use the nozzle of a wet dry vacuum to suck the moisture out of the case.

4.  Just Chill It. Have you ever noticed that food left uncovered in the fridge tends to dry out?  So will your phone if you place it on a high shelf where nothing is likely to drip or spill on it.  Avoid bringing the phone back to room temperature on a humid day or water from the air could condense inside the case causing the same problem you are trying to cure.

5.  Try some heat. A hair dryer can add both heat and moving air to help speed the drying process.  Keep the dryer turned to the low heat setting to prevent overheating the sensitive components found inside the cell phone. Another way to add heat is to leave the phone on the dash of the car and park in the sun.  Make sure that the phone is cool enough to touch before picking it up.

6.  Keep it clean. If your phone dropped in your morning latte, OJ or the ocean, these liquids need to be cleaned out before attempting to dry the phone.  Liquids that contain acids, salts or other chemicals can cause corrosion that will eventually cause the phone to fail even though you followed the directions how to fix a wet cell phone and were able to resurrect the device.  There are two steps to the recommended method that can be used to remove such substances and while they may seem to go against the grain are necessary.  The first method involves using distilled water.  Remember the phone is wet already, so rinse everything in distilled water.  Once the phone has been thoroughly rinsed in water, use methanol (wood alcohol) available from the local hardware store to rinse the phone.  The alcohol will displace the water from the phone and evaporates quicker than water to help speed the drying process.

Once the phone has dried, replace the SIM card, battery and any other parts that have been removed.  Plug the charger into the phone and try powering it up.  Dropping the phone into water often destroys the battery, but the charger should still provide needed power to see if it worth the money to invest in a new battery.

If your attempts to bring your cell phone back to life fail, there are a couple of options other than paying the high price of a new phone.  If you have an older phone from the same company place the SIM card into the phone.  If your older phone is from another company, it may need to be flashed.  The other option is to purchase a prepaid phone. These phones and their plans have become much more affordable.  It is possible to find unlimited plans in many areas for around fifty dollars per month.

If your cell phone goes out of order your everyday life goes astray as well. From recording important contacts and appointments to holding your favorite music collection, saving galleries of your best vacation photos to linking you to the social world you live in, a cell phone is an indispensable part of today’s life. Therefore it is essential that you know the basics of wet cell phone repair should an accident occur. The most common damage is caused by water and it is wise to learn a few handy methods to fix a wet cell phone.

You may drop your cell phone into a wet place accidentally, therefore ruining its operation. The screen may become warped or unreadable and the keyboard dysfunctional. The phone may behave weirdly and may even refuse to power on. Do not panic and make frantic attempts to switch the phone on as that may cause further damage or even a short circuit. Before trying to repair a wet cell phone, find out the extent of damage so that you can sort things out accordingly.

If the phone has sealed-in moisture your task would be to draw out the moisture or evaporate it as quickly as possible. It is absolutely necessary to remove the battery, the battery door, and the SIM card before attempting to dry the cell phone. Disassemble the phone into parts if you can, or have someone who is knowledgeable in these devices do it for you. You can then dry the phone parts by exposing them to sunlight for about 30 minutes or by wiping them dry with a clean towel. However, for best results remember not to leave them in direct sunlight for too long, because while that may dry the moisture, it can also mess up the component parts by melting the adhesives. You can also suck up the moisture by using an air compressor or a vacuum cleaner.

Another useful method is to use desiccating agents like the silica gel pouches. If you do not have one at home, put the phone in a bowl of rice overnight for the same effect. Other desiccant materials like oatmeal or cat litter can also work. After a day or two, re-assemble the phone and see if it works. Usually it starts functioning, but if it does not you may have to seek professional help.

The battery should be dealt with care as well. Wipe the battery with a dry cloth to remove any visible trace of moisture. You can use the same method of drying the battery as you can with the other parts like the screen or keypad. Expose it to the sun for a short time, use an air compressor, vacuum cleaner or desiccate it in a bowl of rice or silica gel sachets. If it still does not work, the battery has in all probability died from excess moisture and you may have to replace the battery.

Do away with any screen scratches by rubbing some scratch remover on them and restore a smooth surface. If the scratches are deep and numerous you may have to replace the screen. With these useful tips handy you should know how to fix a cell phone if it gets wet. However prevention is always better than cure, so try to get a good and sleek cover for your cell phone so that you reduce the extent of damage should any kind of unforeseen accident take place.

Many people have faced the problem of a wet cell phone. These small devices can easily be dropped into puddles, toilets, swimming pools or even a drink. When the phone becomes wet, it is necessary to take some immediate action if you are planning to save it without having to make a replacement.

The first step to fix a cell phone that has been dropped into water or other liquid is to remove the battery and SIM card. Dry the SIM card with paper towels and allow it to dry overnight. If you have an older phone from the same carrier, the dried memory card can be inserted into that phone. This will allow you to make and receive calls using your normal number until the primary phone has a chance to dry.

If the phone was dropped into a potentially corrosive liquid such as juice, coffee or salt water, the first step is to rinse it well with deionized or distilled water. In addition, owners may want to rinse a second time using methyl alcohol which is available at paint supply stores. The alcohol will help to push the other liquids out of the phone and will also evaporate more quickly, thus aiding the drying process.

Phones can be allowed to air dry for seven to ten days. Keep them in a safe place with all the removable parts separated from the main unit. Do not power the phone back on until you are sure that it is completely dry.

Many people have successfully dried a phone by placing it in a bowl and covering it in uncooked rice. The rice absorbs moisture that is trapped in the phone. Kitty litter works in a similar way, but can be dusty which causes other problems. If you plan to use this method, wrap the phone in an old sock for protection before placing it in the material.

A blow dryer can also be used, but should not be put on the highest setting. The high heat might damage the cell phone screen or other delicate parts. Use the dryer on medium or low for best results with this method of cell phone repair.

If you are away from home when your phone becomes wet, try placing the phone with the battery and SIM card removed on the dashboard of the car. The heat from the sun can provide enough warmth to dry out the electronics and prevent further damage to the phone.

If these kinds of home remedies do not work, it may be time to call in the pros.  There are probably several small companies in your city that offer repair service.  Even if they cannot repair your phone, they may have several used phones that are similar if not the exact same model as your current one.  The used phone is usually a much less expensive option than purchasing a new phone at a non-contract price.

Even though you purchased cell phone insurance, it is not likely to cover a phone that has been damaged by water.  Most phones have indicators inside that change color if the phone is exposed to moisture, and if this happens it will likely void the insurance.