How to Fix iPhone 14 Battery Not Charging After Water Damage

It can be worrisome when your iPhone 14 refuses to charge properly after being exposed to any amount of water. Water can trigger charging issues by damaging ports, cables, battery contacts, and internal components. Don’t panic – in many cases, with the right troubleshooting, you may be able to revive your iPhone and get it charging again after water exposure.

We all depend on our iPhones daily, so it’s understandable to be stressed when water damage inhibits normal charging. While serious water exposure does carry risks, even phones with minor exposure can often be revived with careful cleaning, drying, and component replacement. With some dedicated effort, there is a good chance your iPhone can charge properly again.

Common Causes

There are a few key reasons an iPhone 14 may stop charging correctly after getting wet, including:

• The Lightning port being corroded or obstructed by water minerals and debris.
• Internal logic board circuits being shorted or corroded.
• Battery pins being obstructed or rusted due to water minerals.
• Internal exposure damaging the battery cells’ ability to hold charge.
• Moisture triggers causing incorrect charge percentage readings.
• Water minerals causing shorts and electrical arcing damage during charging attempts.

Troubleshooting Procedures

Here are systematic troubleshooting steps to attempt if your iPhone 14 won’t charge after water exposure:

Dry Out the iPhone

Allow 2-3 days of air drying time to ensure any internal moisture has evaporated before attempting to charge again.

Trapped moisture causes electrical issues and component corrosion over time. Thorough drying gives the best chance for phone revival. Avoid using heat sources to dry the phone, as this causes further damage.

To dry properly:

1. Power down and disconnect the iPhone from any chargers or cables.
2. Remove the SIM card tray to allow moisture to escape.
3. Place the phone on an absorbent cloth or paper towel.
4. Allow to air dry out of direct sunlight for at least 48-72 hours.

Clean the Lightning Port

Carefully clean out any water, dirt, and corrosion from the Lightning port to restore a good connection.

Buildup in the port can prevent the charger from seating properly or cause disruptions during charging. Meticulously cleaning the port helps establish a clean connection.

To clean the port:

1. Power down the phone and use a toothpick to gently dislodge any debris.
2. Use a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol to remove any grime or corrosion.
3. Check that the port is fully clear of any obstruction before attempting to charge again.

Try Alternative Charging Method

Attempt charging wirelessly via a Qi charger or by connecting through the rear magnetic MagSafe port if available on your model.

While the Lightning port may be damaged, wireless charging components may remain intact, allowing device charging. This workaround confirms whether the charging circuitry itself is functional.

To charge wirelessly:

1. Obtain a Qi-certified wireless charging pad or MagSafe wireless charger if supported.
2. Power on the iPhone and place it in the center of the wireless charger.
3. Check after 30 minutes to see if the battery level has increased as expected.
4. If effective, continue using the wireless charging method going forward.

Examine Battery Health

Check battery capacity and voltage for any anomalies using Apple diagnostics or a reputable third-party repair shop.

Issues like dendrites, plating erosion, or cell oxidation caused by water exposure can prevent the battery from charging fully or retaining charge. A professional inspection is needed to determine battery health.

To assess battery:

1. Make a backup of data and erase the iPhone fully to protect your information.
2. Take it to Apple or a trusted repair shop for proprietary battery diagnostics.
3. Be prepared to replace the battery if significant degradation or anomalies are found.

Replace Lightning Port

If no obstruction is found, but the Lightning port still fails to charge properly, the entire port module likely needs replacement due to internal corrosion or shorts.

The port contains delicate pins and circuitry that can be damaged irreparably by water exposure and mineral deposits without proper cleaning. A new port is needed to restore function.

To replace the port:

1. Purchase the correct Lightning port module for your iPhone model.
2. Take the phone to a reputable repair shop experienced in soldering and micro-soldering replacement ports.
3. Ask them to thoroughly ensure no further liquid damage is present during the repair process.

With dedicated effort and component-level troubleshooting, there are good chances of reviving an iPhone suffering from water damage charging issues. Be sure to enlist professional assistance for any internal inspection or repairs.

FAQs