How To Fix ‘Moisture Detected’ Error Message On Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung’s Galaxy smartphones come with a lot of features. Among these features is this IP68 Water-resistant rating. This feature simply translates to the fact that the S8 can survive in 1.5m of water for up 30 minutes. This guide explains how to fix the ‘Moisture Detected’ error message on Samsung Galaxy phones.
Regardless of this fact, many users have complained that there is a message “Moisture Detected Can’t Charge” error. This comes up even on devices that haven’t even been close to water. Even after rebooting, this message remains. So how do you fix the issue?
Read further to find out more on this.
Possible Causes Of “Moisture Detected Can’t Charge” Message On Samsung Galaxy Phones
Through a careful and thorough investigation, we have compiled a list of possible causes for this error. These are the things that might have triggered the error. Here they are:
COPYRIGHT_NOVA: Published on https://www.novabach.com/i/how-to-fix-moisture-detected-error-message-on-samsung-galaxy-phones/ by Daniel Barrett on 2022-06-03T11:36:21.000Z
- The Cache: All software stores cache to decrease loading times and to provide an easy experience to users. Over time this cache might get corrupted and start interfering with important elements of system applications. In some cases, this cache might be causing the moisture sensors installed in the charging ports and preventing them from functioning properly.
- Software Issue: On some devices, the problem developed after an Android update was installed device. A bug might trigger the moisture sensors to glitch out and stop them from functioning properly.
- Hardware Issue: It is also possible that the charging port might have been defective due to high voltage or an electric surge which leads to an issue.
- Third-Party Applications: Installing software from unknown sources could be dangerous. It is possible that installed applications malfunction and hinder important system functions such as charging. The Moisture sensors in the charging port can often be affected by these applications which then causes this error.
- Salt Water: The message can sometimes be persistent if the phone was submerged in saltwater. This is because the IP68 rating does not apply to saltwater.
- Wet Port: If the charging port of the mobile phone is wet or has retained some moisture the “moisture detected” message will not go away unless you get rid of it.
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1. Check For Moisture
Any kind of liquid could cause this error. If this is the case, you should try using a vacuum, not a blow dry, to dry out your device’s charging port. If this doesn’t work, you can try out our other fixes.
2. Safe Mode
If the “Moisture detected” error message started going off after adding an app, that app is most probably the one to blame. Delete the app from the system to clear the cache partition and reboot the system. Then see how it goes.
In case you are unsure of the apps causing a malfunction, you can test it with safe mode. In this mode, all third-party apps are blocked and only system installed ones will be functioning. If your device charges while on this mode and no moisture warning shows, you can be sure there’s a rogue app to blame. It may be poor app coding or malware.
Follow these steps to restart your phone to safe mode:
- First, switch your device off.
- Then press and hold the Power key past the model name screen.
- When you see “SAMSUNG” on the screen, release the Power key.
- Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
- Continue holding the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
- Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
- Release the Volume down key when you see Safe Mode.
- Once your phone is on this mode, try to charge the phone for at least 30 minutes and see what happens.
- If your device charges fine, a bad app is a likely reason for it. To know which of your apps is causing the problem, follow the steps below:
3. Check For Software Updates
Sometimes, you notice the error after a recent system update. If this is the case, you have nothing to worry about, the developers often provide fixes in such cases, therefore, in this step, we will check to if an update to the software is available.
- First, drag down the notifications panel and tap on the “Settings” icon.
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- Next, inside the settings, scroll down to the bottom and click on the “Software Updates” option.
- Then tap on the “check for updates” option and wait for the phone to check if any updates are available.
- If updates are available, tap on the “Download Updates Manually” option and wait for the downloading process to end.
- After the update is downloaded your phone will automatically be restarted and the updates will be installed after which your phone will boot up normally.
- Finally, plug in the charger and check to see if the issue persists.
4. Moisture Detected: Broken Charging Port
The charging port might have been damaged permanently which leads to this error. Check to make sure that it is not a hardware issue we. Follow the steps below:
- First, boot into safe mode by, pressing and holding down the “Power button” until the list of options appears.
- Next, press and hold on to the “Power Off” option on the screen and select the “Safe Mode” option.
- The phone will now restart in safe mode and you will see “Safe Mode” written in the lower-left corner of the screen.
- Next, plug the charger in and check to see if the issue persists.
- First, drag down the notifications panel and tap on the “Settings” icon.
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- Next, select the “Applications” button and tap on any application.
- Then select the “Uninstall” button and then “yes” on the prompt that appears.
- Try to charge the phone and check to see if the issue persists.
If the issue doesn’t go away continue to delete applications until it does and boot out of safe mode after fixing the error message.
5. Deleting USB Cache
Over time cache can corrupt and it might cause issues with important system functions. Therefore, in this step, we will clear the cache from USB Settings. For that:
- Drag down the notifications panel and tap on the “Settings” icon
- From inside the settings, tap on the “Applications” option and then on the “Menu” button in the top right corner.
- Next, select “Show System Apps” from the option and scroll down until you see the “USB Settings” application.
- Then select the “USB Settings” applications and then “Storage”.
- Inside the Storage settings, click on the “Clear cache” and then on the “Clear Data” option.
- Now restart the phone, try to charge it, and check to see if the issue persists.
6. Moisture Detected: Wiping Cache Partition
If the cache of any system application or third-party application is corrupted then the phone might face issues while trying to charge. Therefore, in this step, we will wipe the cache partition.
- First, hold down the “power” button and click on the “Switch off” option.
- After the device is completely turned off, press and hold the “Volume Down” and the “Bixby” key. Then in the same instance also press and hold the “Power” button.
- As soon as the green Android logo appears, release all the keys. The device might display “Installing System Updates” for a while.
- You can use the volume down key to highlight the “Wipe Cache Partition” options and when it is highlighted press the “Power” key to select it.
- After the wiping process is done, highlight the “Reboot System Now” option by pressing the “volume down” key and pressing the “power” button to select it.
The phone will now restart normally, confirm if the issue persists.
7. Factory Reset
Wiping your device and reverting to its default settings may be drastic but it can be effective. In older Galaxy S phones (Galaxy S8, S7, S9), some cases of moisture detected error require a factory reset as the main cause was a software glitch. If none of the suggested solutions has helped so far, don’t hesitate to factory reset your phone.
Note: Always create a backup for all your important files before engaging in these steps.
There are two methods to factory reset your device. Here’s each of them:
How To Hard Reset On Samsung Galaxy Series Via Settings Menu
- First, create a backup of your data and remove your Google account.
- Then open the Settings app.
- Navigate to and select the General management option.
- Then tap Reset.
- Select Factory data reset from the given options.
- Then go through the information and tap Reset to continue.
- Finally, tap Delete All to confirm the action. Your phone might restart automatically after the reset. You will see the Android logo as a confirmation.
How To Hard Reset On Samsung Galaxy Series Using Hardware Buttons
- Start by creating a backup of your data. If your problem prevents you from doing that, then skip this step.
- Also, you want to make sure that you remove your Google account. If your problem prevents you from doing that, you can skip this step.
- Switch the phone off. This is important. If you can’t turn it off, you’ll never be able to boot to Recovery Mode. If you are not able to shut the device off regularly via the Power button, wait until the phone’s battery is drained. Then, charge the phone for 30 minutes before booting to Recovery Mode.
- Next, press and hold the Volume Up button, the Power button, and the Bixby button at the same time.
- When you feel the device vibrate, release ONLY the Power key. Still press and hold the Volume up and Bixby button.
- A screen menu will now appear. When you see this, release the remaining buttons.
- Press the Volume Down button several times until you are highlighting ‘Delete all user data.’ Press the Power key to select.
- Hold the Power button again to select the Yes – delete all user data option.
- Finally, select the Reboot option
8. Use Wireless Charging
The wireless charging capability of your device is not affected by a fault in the charging port. So, if nothing has worked so far and you’re still getting the moisture detected in the charging port error on your Samsung Galaxy phone, consider charging your device wirelessly. If you want to permanently fix the problem though, you should have the phone checked by Samsung so the charging port can be examined closely.
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