A few days ago, I plugged in my Samsung phone to charge, only to see a warning pop up: “Moisture detected in charging port.” I wiped the port, tried a different cable, but the message wouldn’t go away. Frustrated, I couldn’t charge my phone and didn’t know what to do next.
If you’re facing this issue, you’re not alone. Samsung’s moisture detection feature is designed to protect your phone from potential water damage. However, the error can sometimes persist even when your phone is completely dry, preventing you from charging.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through step-by-step solutions to fix the ‘Moisture Detected’ error on Samsung Android phones, ensuring you can charge your device without problems.
Understanding the Issue
Samsung phones use a built-in moisture sensor in the USB-C charging port. This prevents electrical damage when water or high humidity is detected. However, the error can also appear due to:
- Actual moisture in the charging port (from rain, sweat, or accidental spills).
- High humidity in the environment.
- Leftover water droplets after cleaning or washing hands.
- Software glitches causing false moisture warnings.
- Corrupt system cache related to charging functions.
- Faulty charging cables or ports that trigger the sensor incorrectly.
Let’s go through the most effective fixes to resolve this issue.
Fixes for ‘Moisture Detected in Charging Port’ on Samsung Phones
1. Dry the Charging Port Properly
Tools Needed: Soft cloth, cotton swab, hairdryer (optional)
Steps:
- Gently shake the phone to remove any visible water.
- Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the inside of the charging port.
- Take a cotton swab and gently clean the port.
- If needed, use a hairdryer on low heat (keep it at least 10 inches away) for 30–60 seconds.
- Leave the phone in a dry place for 30 minutes, then try charging again.
Why This Works:
Removing excess moisture prevents the sensor from detecting water, allowing charging to resume.
2. Use Isopropyl Alcohol to Clean the Port (If Necessary)
Tools Needed: 99% Isopropyl alcohol, cotton swab
Steps:
- Dip a cotton swab in 99% isopropyl alcohol (avoid excessive liquid).
- Gently clean the inside of the charging port.
- Wait for 5 minutes to let it fully evaporate.
- Try charging the phone again.
Why This Works:
Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly and removes residues that might be triggering false moisture warnings.
3. Restart the Phone in Safe Mode (To Check for Software Issues)
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Press and hold the Power button until the power menu appears.
- Long-press Power Off until you see Safe Mode.
- Tap Safe Mode and wait for the phone to restart.
- Once in Safe Mode, try charging your phone.
- If it works, an app might be interfering—restart normally and uninstall any recent apps.
Why This Works:
Safe Mode disables third-party apps that might be causing software-related moisture detection errors.
4. Clear USB Cache and System Cache
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Open Settings > Apps.
- Tap the three-dot menu (⋮) and select Show System Apps.
- Scroll down and select USB Settings.
- Tap Storage & Cache > Clear Cache.
- Restart your phone and check if the issue is resolved.
Why This Works:
Clearing the USB cache removes corrupted system data related to charging.
5. Use Wireless Charging (Temporary Solution)
Tools Needed: Wireless charger
Steps:
- Place your Samsung phone on a Qi-compatible wireless charger.
- Let it charge until the moisture warning disappears.
- Retry wired charging once the sensor resets.
Why This Works:
Wireless charging bypasses the USB port, allowing the phone to charge while moisture detection resets.
6. Turn Off Fast Charging and Try Again
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Open Settings > Battery & Device Care.
- Tap Battery > More Battery Settings.
- Turn off Fast Charging and Super Fast Charging.
- Try charging again.
Why This Works:
Some users report that disabling fast charging helps bypass moisture detection errors.
7. Check and Replace Your Charging Cable and Adapter
Tools Needed: Another USB-C cable and charger
Steps:
- Use a different charging cable and adapter.
- Check for loose or damaged connectors.
- If a wireless charger works but the cable doesn’t, your charger might be faulty.
Why This Works:
A damaged charging cable can trigger false moisture detection warnings.
8. Perform a Full System Restart
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Press and hold the Power button + Volume Down for 10 seconds.
- The phone will force restart.
- Once it reboots, try plugging in the charger again.
Why This Works:
A forced restart resets the moisture detection sensor, removing any temporary glitches.
9. Reset All Settings (If the Issue Persists)
Tools Needed: None
Steps:
- Open Settings > General Management.
- Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Confirm and restart the phone.
- Try charging again.
Why This Works:
This resets any misconfigured settings affecting the charging port.
10. Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
Tools Needed: Backup storage (Google Drive, Samsung Cloud, or PC)
Steps:
- Back up your important data.
- Go to Settings > General Management > Reset.
- Tap Factory Data Reset > Confirm.
- After the reset, set up your phone and test charging.
Why This Works:
A factory reset removes all software bugs causing persistent moisture detection issues.
Pros and Cons of Each Fix
| Fix | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Drying the charging port | Simple and effective | May take time |
| Cleaning with isopropyl alcohol | Removes hidden residue | Requires careful handling |
| Restarting in Safe Mode | Identifies software issues | Doesn’t fix hardware problems |
| Clearing USB cache | Resolves software bugs | Temporary solution |
| Wireless charging | Allows phone to charge | Doesn’t fix USB issue |
| Turning off fast charging | Bypasses sensor issues | Slower charging |
| Checking charging cable | Prevents false errors | Needs a spare cable |
| Full system restart | Resets minor glitches | May not work for deep issues |
| Resetting all settings | Fixes misconfigurations | Erases custom settings |
| Factory reset | Fixes all software problems | Erases all data |
Conclusion
If your Samsung phone keeps showing ‘Moisture Detected in Charging Port’, start by drying the port properly and restarting your phone. If that doesn’t work, try clearing the USB cache, disabling fast charging, or using a different cable. Wireless charging can be a temporary solution while the moisture sensor resets.
Which fix worked best for you? Let me know in the comments!
