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The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (called the Note5) is a phablet-style phone with stylus, manufactured by Samsung, released in August 2015.

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Galaxy note 5 acting weird after water damage?

Hi everyone,

I spilled some water on my galaxy note 5 and since then its been acting buggy. I was freaked out and immediately tried to turn it on (stupid I know) and since the battery is not easily removable, I was not able to take it out either. I left it out to dry and eventually took it apart and poured some alcohol on it to dry it out. I even replaced the battery and so far its been working except for one big problem.

Every time the phone goes to sleep or I press the power button to turn of the screen, it shuts down. If I press the home button or power button to wake it up, it starts to boot up all the way from the beginning. Basically, if the screen doesn’t stay on, the phone shuts off. Other than that everything works, including the touch, display, camera, microphone, speaker, etc.

I’ve already tried to factory reset it, and even tried using an app that turns the volume up button to turn it on if it was an issue with the power button. I’ve also disabled the fingerprint sensor since other pointed to that being an issue as well. So far no luck with anything. If I replace the logic board, do you guys think that would fix it?

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Hi,

As you know water, electronics and electricity are not a good mix.

The impurities in the water causes corrosion and provides circuit paths for the electricity which were not in the phone's operating design and could damage the components. The corrosion starts immediately and is ongoing until it has been properly cleaned away.

First do not try to turn on or charge your phone and then remove the battery as soon as possible from the phone to minimize any further damage.

Then you need to dis-assemble the rest of the phone and clean all the affected parts using Isopropyl Alcohol 99%+ (available at electronics parts stores) to remove all traces of corrosion etc. Do not use "rubbing alcohol" as in some cases this is only 70% IPA or less, can contain additives and is not as effective. If you do check the label to verify the amount of IPA. The higher the percentage of IPA the better.

Here is a link that describes the process.

Electronics Water Damage

As always with electronics, especially surface mounted PCBs be gentle when handling and especially when brushing away the corrosion. You do not want to remove any components from the board. You may also have to remove any shields covering the components as water may have got in under them. Also any flex cable ends/cable connectors will need to be cleaned as well

Hopefully after you have done all this the phone might possibly work correctly again.

Here are the ifixit Samsung Galaxy Note 5 guides that may help.

If this process seems too daunting, take your phone to a reputable, professional phone repair service, experienced in liquid damage repair and ask for a quote for a repair. If you decide to do this, do it sooner than later,

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2 Comments:

So do you think replacing the logic board would fix the phone?

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Hi,

Try cleaning the systemboard first as described above.

Just pouring alcohol over it doesn't do much, especially if the water got in under any shields or into the flex cable connectors etc.

Worth a try anyway.

Just remember to be gentle when brushing

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Jason Mencase will be eternally grateful.
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