How to Disable Moisture Detected Error on Samsung S7, S8, S9, S10 & S21

If you use the latest versions of the Samsung Galaxy S, A, and Note series devices, chances are that you’ve gotten the ‘moisture detected in USB port’ error. If you have, there are several ways you can disable moisture detected error, and you will find them in this article.

Most high-end Samsung devices, especially the later versions of the Galaxy S, A, and Note series, now come with an IP68 rating (Ingress Protection). This means that the device can withstand dust particles and are water-resistant to depths of up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Is ‘moisture detected’ on Samsung an error?

The moisture detected message is less an error and more of a safety feature to secure your Samsung device. The intelligent moisture detection sensor stops the device from charging immediately it detects moisture or fluid in the charging port of the cable and the device. Getting the moisture detected error doesn’t necessarily mean that your Samsung device has directly been in contact with water or fluid.

Sometimes the charging error could be caused by a change in the atmosphere or a very humid atmosphere. Sweating can also trigger the moisture detected error, especially in a temperate or humid area. Dirt in your Samsung phone’s USB port or cable could also trigger some charging issues. We ourselves have gotten the moisture detected message when there’s dirt in the charging port.

Devices rated with the IP68 or Ingressive Protection means that the manufacturer has used water-tight adhesives, seals, mesh grilles for the speakers, and gaskets to secure the buttons, ports, and other parts of the device exposed to water and air. We all know water and electricity don’t pair well together. For example, a wet or humid charging port on your Samsung device can cause a short circuit, damaging the device and making it unusable.

On newer models like the Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy Note 10, and Galaxy S20, you’ll always find tips to disable the ‘moisture has been detected’ issue on the screen as the warning pops up.

Why you are getting the ‘moisture detected’ error in your device – possible causes:

• There are residuals of moisture or fluid in the charging port or cable, or it is wet.
• There is a buildup of dust particles in the USB port.
• The charging port has been damaged by careless usage, corrosion, or consistent use of incompatible charging accessories.

How to disable moisture detected on your Samsung device by getting rid of moisture

Here are some solutions to apply when your devices show the moisture detected error.

• Use a soft dry clean cloth to gently wipe your Samsung phone and shake it while keeping the charging port down facing the ground. After that, leave it open or place it under a fan for a while so that the moisture can evaporate.
• Use a rubber or plastic toothpick, wrap it with tissue paper or a soft cotton swab and use it to clean the moisture USB port by gently moving it inside the port.
• Try rinsing the charging port with distilled water, rubbing alcohol, or petrol, and wipe it using paper towel strips. Rubbing alcohol evaporates very quickly, so you won’t have to wait for long.
• Insert an alcohol swab inside the USB port and move it around, then leave your phone for a few minutes to let it dry.
• Get a blow-dryer and blow mildly hot air at moderate or slow speeds into the charging port from different angles. Do this for a couple of minutes to make sure the moisture dries up.
• Blow compressed air at low pressure into the USB port.
• You could also use the famous quote “stick it in rice.” There’s some truth to that. Rice has hygroscopic properties, making it absorb surrounding moisture and relative humidity. You can disable moisture detected by stuffing your phone in a bag of rice and leaving it for a few hours or so. The rice grains will absorb all the moisture from your device. However, if your phone gets wet with seawater, don’t stick it in the rice immediately, as it will get the rice grains sticky. Instead, rinse and wipe the device with clean and fresh water before stuffing it in.
• A better moisture absorbent than rice is Silica gel. So you could try outing your device in a jar of Silica gel for better results.
• Another alternative is to try tweezers. Get a pair of tweezers and gently rub the plastic part that holds the charging terminals to remove any dirt or corrosion blocking the contacts.
• Lastly, check that the USB charging cable pin isn’t wet.

Alternative ways to disable moisture detected error – Step by step

If the moisture detected error remains even after trying the above solutions, and you still can’t charge your Samsung device, try the following steps:

Use a wireless charger:

Try to use a wireless charger so that your phone doesn’t run out of power until you disable moisture detected on the phone.

Turn off your device:

Power off your device and plug in the charging cable. Your device will begin charging.

Force stop Android System:

Open your device’s Settings and type ‘Android System‘ in the search option. Next, click on Android System to open the app info page and tapthe Force stop option. Then try charging your device.

Disabling fast charging:

Disabling fast charging can disable moisture detected warning on your device. The steps to reach the setting vary for each software version.

1. Go to Settings >> Device maintenance >> Battery >> 3-Dot drop down icon >> Advanced settings >> Fast charging and turn it OFF.
2. Go to Settings >> Device care >> Battery >> Charging and disable Fast charging.
3. Signing out of your Samsung account:

Although this is not a very popular solution, signing out of your Samsung Account can disable moisture detected on your device. Go to Settings, tap Accounts and backup, and scroll to find Manage accounts. You should find your Samsung account beneath. Tap it and select Remove account.

Wipe Cache partition:

You can try to wipe the cache partition on your device via Recovery Mode.

Boot in Safe Mode:

A Safe mode boot is a boot option that starts the phone in a diagnostic mode instead of the normal operating mode. For example, if you begin getting the ‘moisture detected’ error soon after installing a third-party app, chances are the app is the trigger for the moisture-detected bug. Reboot your device in Safe Mode and plug in the charging pin. If you successfully disable moisture detected, it means the app is the cause. Since Safe Mode is a troubleshooting tool, you can uninstall the suspicious apps and fix the error.

Alternative ways to charge your Samsung phone if the charging port stops working:

• First, try using a different USB Type-C cable to charge your device. Doing so will eliminate the possibility of a damaged USB port. If the moisture detected bug has disappeared, it means a new charging cable is due.
• To fix the damaged charging port, you’ll have to visit the closest Samsung Care. However, there are still some other ways mentioned below that you should try first.

Read also: How to Get Water Out Of Phone Charging Port

Here is a list of all the Samsung devices backed by an IP68 rating

• The Galaxy S series: Galaxy S7and Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus, Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus, Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 Plus and Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Ultra.
• The Galaxy A series: Galaxy A03 Core, Galaxy A12, Galaxy A22, and Galaxy A22 5G, Galaxy A30, Galaxy A32, Galaxy A50, Galaxy A52, and Galaxy A52s 5G, Galaxy A70, Galaxy A72, Galaxy A8, and Galaxy A8 Plus, Galaxy A80.
• The Galaxy Note series: Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Note 10, Note 10 Plus and Galaxy Note10+ 5G, Galaxy Note 20, and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G.
• The Galaxy Tab series: Galaxy Tab A, Galaxy Tab Active 2, Galaxy Tab Active Pro, Galaxy Tab S7+ (LTE), Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (Wi-Fi), Galaxy Tab S6 (LTE).
• The Galaxy Flip & Fold series: Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3.

Notable exceptions: The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G has an IP69 rating. In contrast, the first edition of the Galaxy Fold and Z Flip have no IP rating.

I hope the above solutions can help disable moisture detected on your Samsung device. However, if the error still hasn’t been fixed even after trying all the above tips, contact Samsung support or visit the closest service center.

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