Skip to main content

The Samsung Galaxy S3 is a multi-touch, slate-format smartphone with eye-tracking ability, increased storage, and a wireless charging option.

459 Questions View all

Dropped phone into bath-water.. Touch buttons don't work now

My buddy dropped his phone in the bath a few weeks ago. He ended up buying a new phone afterwards. A few days later he turned the Galaxy S3 and it was working again. Everything was normal except the touch buttons by the home button. I bought the phone off him thinking it would be an easy fix but it seems pretty difficult to replace it. What should I do? Do you think dipping the side with the touch buttons into alcohol up until the bottom of the LCD screen would work??

I would hate to buy a new LCD screen as this phone itself is in mint condition.. I also would like to buy a new silver bezel to replace the current one, how hard would that all be?

Thanks!

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Score 3
2 Comments

Quick question.. how long should I let the parts dry after taking it out of the alcohol? It seems like alcohol evaporates pretty quick but the smell of it stays.

by

Did it work???

by

Add a comment

2 Answers

Chosen Solution

Arthur, just like any other phone or device that has been submerged, the first thing I would do is to disassemble the phone. Take a look at this guide to see what needs to be done. Once you remove everything, I strongly suggest that you clean it, use this guide to see how to clean it. The guide was written for a iPhone 3G but all the points apply to your phone as well. Make sure that you take a very close look at every connector and see if you find any corrosion. You may have to repeat this a couple of times. Once it is properly cleaned replace the battery reassemble and re-evaluate.

iPhone Image

Guide

Repairing iPhone Liquid Damage

Difficulty:

Difficult

1 - 2 hours

Samsung Galaxy S III Image

Guide

Samsung Galaxy S3 Disassembly and Assembly

Difficulty:

Easy

15 - 20 minutes

Was this answer helpful?

Score 2

7 Comments:

Thanks oldturkey, I appreciate it. I'm going to try to find 99% isopropyl alcohol tomorrow. I was able to disassemble the phone today and I separated the mainboard from the rest of the phone. The mainboard will be soaked in the alcohol and I will brush every inch of it with a soft toothbrush.

The reason why I bought this phone off my buddy was because it worked flawlessly when I saw it. It was just the front two touch buttons that didn't work. I thought it was a simple fix but it actually seems much harder. I realized that the USB data connection doesn't work. I tried rooting the phone today and my computer couldn't detect the phone at all. I tried connecting it to another computer and still nothing. I had 'USB Debugging' on as well and I re-installed the Samsung drivers multiple times. Still nothing when I connect the USB. Am I doing something wrong? or do you think it's the phone?

by

Right now my first instinct is that it is the phone. Water damage really messes with things and can give the weirdest errors. Start with cleaning that up, or consider to give the phone back ;-) because sometimes water damaged phone can turn into a real money pit.

by

Soaking it in 99% isopropyl alcohol right now. gave the mainboard a scrub down with a toothbrush about 1.5 hrs in. Also scrubbed the back of the touch screen, whichever resistors and chips I saw.

Fingers crossed.

by

Quick question.. how long should I let the parts dry after taking it out of the alcohol? It seems like alcohol evaporates pretty quick but the smell of it stays.

by

I have some good news! Just finished drying it after leaving it on top of the heater (not directly of course) and I re-assembled everything. Plugged the USB in and it works! Computer detected it!

But... the touch buttons still don't work. I scrubbed the back of the touch screen but didn't disconnect the cable for the touch panels. After looking at some pictures I figured out which cable it was and I just disconnected it. Scrubbed it a few times with a toothbrush and alcohol. Leaving it to dry now for about 30 minutes or so. Wish me luck!

by

Show 2 more comments

Add a comment

I dropped my phone in the toilet but i didnt wanna tell my mum so i did a LOT of research and like ur freinds the back buttons wouldnt work i just carried on using my phone as normal and i came accross this website and it started working again.now the only oroblem is that my screen keeps turning on.

Was this answer helpful?

Score 1

2 Comments:

How did it start working literally facing same problem pls help me.

by

Pls can you tell what to do

by

Add a comment

Add your answer

Arthur will be eternally grateful.
View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 1

Past 7 Days: 3

Past 30 Days: 11

All Time: 42,617