Your phone measures conductivity in the charging port. If it detects moisture, it stops cable charging to protect the port from damage. An iPhone shows a “Charging Not Available” alert saying liquid has been detected in the Lightning or USB-C connector. Samsung and other Android phones warn about moisture in the charging port. Usually it’s enough to let the port dry out, but sometimes the message is a sign of a fault.
What to do straight away
- Unplug the cable and any accessories from the port.
- Gently tap the phone against your palm with the port facing down so the droplets run out.
- Leave the phone in a dry, well-ventilated place, ideally with the port facing down. Anything from a few dozen minutes to a few hours is usually enough.
- Then try charging again. If the message comes back, leave the phone to dry for longer – even a whole day.
- In the meantime, you can charge the phone wirelessly if it supports it. Wireless charging doesn’t use the port.
What not to do
- Don’t blow-dry the port with a hairdryer or dry it on a radiator – heat damages the battery and the seals.
- Don’t put the phone in rice. It won’t draw out moisture from inside, and dust and starch get into the port.
- Don’t poke cotton buds or paper into the port – fibres get left behind inside.
- Use the emergency override of the alert on an iPhone only as a last resort. Charging through a wet port can cause corrosion.
The phone is dry but the message won’t go away
If the alert appears without any contact with water, or doesn’t disappear even after a full day, the cause usually lies elsewhere:
- Dirt and dust in the port – they trap moisture for longer. We’ll clean the port professionally.
- Corrosion in the port from an earlier soaking or sweat (a phone in your pocket while exercising).
- A faulty cable or charger – try another original cable.
- A faulty port or charging circuit.
We can clean or replace the port, and for common models often as a while-you-wait repair at our shop in Hradec Králové. You’ll find the price for your model in the phone repair price list under charging port repair.
If your phone fell into water
If the alert appeared after your phone was dropped in water, taken swimming or had something spilt on it, it’s not just the port. Switch the phone off and don’t charge it – water may have got inside too. Corrosion on the board continues even when the phone is off, so it pays to have it cleaned as soon as possible. Find out more on the Water-damaged phone repair page and in our guide How much does water-damaged phone repair cost.
FAQs
Is a phone showing a liquid alert damaged?
Usually not. The alert protects the port from damage while charging. If it disappears once the port is dry and the phone charges normally, everything is fine.
Why does the message appear even though the phone hasn’t been in water?
It’s often down to dirt or corrosion in the port, which hold moisture from the air or sweat. A professional clean of the port is usually enough, or a replacement if needed.
Can I charge my phone wirelessly when it’s reporting liquid?
Yes, wireless charging doesn’t use the port. The alert only applies to charging by cable.
Does this also apply to iPhones with USB-C?
Yes. Newer iPhones with USB-C report liquid just like older ones with a Lightning connector, and the steps are the same.