You plug in your Samsung Galaxy to charge, but instead of the lightning bolt, you hear a loud alarm and see a water drop icon on the screen:
“Unplug Charger. Moisture has been detected in your charger/USB port.”
If your phone actually fell in water, this safety feature saves your device. But what if your phone is completely dry?
Thousands of users report getting this error after a software update or simply because of high humidity. It is a “False Positive,” and it refuses to let you charge your phone.
In this guide, I will show you how to clear the error, clean the sensor, and bypass the block so you can charge your device again.
🛑 My Opinion: Please, Stop Using Rice
Before we start, let’s kill a myth. Do not put your phone in rice. Rice is full of dust and starch. If that dust gets into your already sensitive charging port, it turns into a paste that ruins the connectors permanently. Rice does not suck water out of a port fast enough to matter. Use silica gel packets or a fan instead.
Method 1: The “Restart While Plugged In” Trick (Bypass)
If you are 100% sure your port is dry (e.g., it’s a software glitch), you can trick the sensor into resetting.
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Turn your phone OFF completely.
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Plug your charger in. (The phone might vibrate or show the water icon again—ignore it).
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While the charger is still connected, turn the phone ON.
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Wait for it to boot up to the home screen.
Why this works: During the boot sequence, the operating system sometimes skips the “Moisture Check” if power is already flowing. Once the phone is on and charging, the sensor often recalibrates itself and clears the error.
Method 2: Clear “USBSettings” Cache (The Software Fix)
The moisture sensor is controlled by a hidden system app called USBSettings. If its data gets corrupted, it thinks the port is wet forever.
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Open Settings > Apps.
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Tap the small Filter/Sort icon (next to “Your apps”).
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Turn on the switch for “Show system apps” and tap OK.
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Scroll down and find USBSettings (or just “USB Settings”).
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Tap Storage.
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Tap Clear Cache and Clear Data.
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Restart your phone. The error should be gone.
Method 3: Clean the Port (The Toothpick Method)
Even if there is no water, a piece of lint or dust can conduct electricity and fool the sensor into thinking it’s wet.
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Get a wooden toothpick (do not use metal needles!).
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Gently scrape the inside of the USB-C port.
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Look for “pocket lint” packed at the bottom.
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(Optional) Use an old toothbrush with a tiny bit of Isopropyl Alcohol (99%) to scrub the connectors. The alcohol evaporates instantly and cleans the oxidation.
Method 4: Use a Wireless Charger
If the port is physically damaged or truly wet, you can still charge.
The “Moisture Detected” error only blocks the USB port. It does not disable Wireless Charging.
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Place your phone on any Qi Wireless Charger.
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It will charge normally, bypassing the sensor entirely.
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This keeps your phone alive while you wait for the port to dry out properly.
Method 5: Disable Fast Charging
Sometimes, the high voltage of Fast Charging triggers a sensitive sensor. Lowering the voltage can stop the alarm.
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Go to Settings > Battery and device care > Battery.
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Scroll down to More battery settings.
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Turn OFF “Fast charging” and “Super fast charging.”
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Try plugging in the cable again.
⚖️ Final Verdict
If the “Water Drop” icon appears when your phone is dry, it is usually a dirty port or a software bug.
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Method 2 (Clear USB Cache) is the most permanent fix for glitches.
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Method 1 (Restart Trick) is the best emergency fix if you are stuck at 1% battery.
If the error persists for more than 3 days, your charging port’s sensor is likely corroded and needs a physical replacement at a repair shop.
💡 Read Also on The Geek Solutions:
Battery Draining? How to Check Android Battery Health Codes
Annoying Ads? How to Block Ads on Android Apps (No Root)
Did the Restart Trick work for you? Let us know in the comments!
