Drying Out Your Oneplus 5 Camera: A Step-By-Step Guide

If your OnePlus 5 has suffered water damage, it's important to act quickly to prevent permanent damage. Start by turning off your phone to prevent short-circuiting, and if possible, remove the battery. Next, open the case and let air flow into the device. You can also try tilting, shaking, or blowing air into the phone to remove as much water as possible. To absorb the remaining water, silica gel or instant rice/couscous are effective desiccants. Once the phone is completely dry, reassemble and power it on. If the camera still doesn't work, you may need to clean the connections and logic board with isopropyl alcohol and consider replacing the battery.

Switch off your OnePlus 5

If your OnePlus 5 has been exposed to water, it is important to act quickly to minimise any potential damage. The first step is to switch off your device. This will help protect your phone from short-circuiting in the hardware.

• Press and hold the power button: Start by locating the power button on your OnePlus 5. The power button is usually located on the right or left side of the device, depending on the model. Press and hold the power button for a few seconds.
• Wait for the power menu to appear: After a few seconds of holding the power button, a power menu should appear on the screen. This menu typically includes options such as "Power off" or "Restart". If your screen is not working, you may not see the menu, but you can still perform the next steps.
• Select the "Power off" option: If your screen is functioning, use your finger to select the "Power off" option from the menu. If the screen is unresponsive, you can still turn off the device by following the next steps.
• Release the power button: Once the power menu appears, release the power button. If you were able to select the "Power off" option, your device should begin shutting down. If the screen is not working, proceed to the next step.
• Force shutdown: If the screen is unresponsive or the device did not shut down, you can perform a force shutdown. To do this, press and hold the power button again for a longer duration, usually around 10-20 seconds. This will force the device to turn off without requiring any input from the screen.
• Confirm the device is off: After performing the above steps, your OnePlus 5 should be switched off. To confirm, check if the screen is completely black and no lights are blinking. If it is still on, you may need to repeat the above steps or try alternative methods.

It is important to note that turning off your device as soon as possible after water exposure is crucial to prevent further damage. Once your device is switched off, you can proceed with other steps to remove water from your OnePlus 5, such as opening the case and letting it air dry, or using a drying agent like silica gel.

Open your phone case

To open the phone case of your OnePlus 5, you will need to follow a few simple steps. Firstly, power off your phone completely to protect it from damage. This can be done by pressing and holding the standby button until the "Switch off" option appears.

Next, you will need to remove the SIM card tray and two screws. Use a SIM card eject tool, or a paper clip, to remove the SIM card tray. Then, remove the two screws near the USB Type-C port using a T1 or Torx T1 screwdriver.

Now it's time to open the back cover. This is a little tricky, as you need to be careful not to damage the display panel. Place a suction cup near the bottom edge of the display and pull on it with strong, steady force. Then, use an opening tool to carefully pry the back cover from the frame. There are twelve clips holding the frame against the back cover, so work your way around the phone, releasing each clip. The last clip, in the top left corner, can be difficult to release, so take your time and use a flat-ended tool if needed.

With the bottom and left edges of the phone freed, gently wiggle the frame to release the remaining clips on the top and right edges. Be careful, as the frame is still connected to the back cover by a long flex cable. Do not remove the back cover yet.

Before removing the back cover, disconnect the battery connector and the USB Type-C connector to protect the hardware. Now, you can carefully remove the back cover.

By opening your phone case, you will be able to let air flow into your water-damaged OnePlus 5 and begin the process of fixing your phone. Remember to be gentle and careful throughout the process to avoid any further damage to your device.

Remove water by tilting, shaking, or blowing air

If your OnePlus 5 camera has been exposed to water, it's important to act quickly to minimise any potential damage. Here are some steps you can take to remove water by tilting, shaking, or blowing air:

Tilting and Shaking

While tilting and shaking your phone may seem like an intuitive way to remove water, it's important to do this carefully. When you first remove your phone from the water, avoid turning, shaking, or moving it excessively, as this can cause water to enter further into the device's internal components. Instead, gently tilt your phone to let any excess water drain out. You can also try gently shaking the device to dislodge any water droplets that may be trapped inside. Just be cautious not to shake it too vigorously, as this can cause the water to spread.

Blowing Air

Blowing air into your phone's camera can help remove water, but it's important to do it safely. First, make sure your phone is turned off, including any wireless connections. Do not use a blow dryer, as the heat can damage the internal components. Instead, use compressed air or carefully blow on the camera lens and any other openings to dislodge water droplets. You can also try using a cotton swab to gently absorb any visible water around the camera and other openings.

Remember, it's important to act quickly and carefully when dealing with water damage. After removing as much water as possible through these methods, be sure to dry your phone thoroughly and give it time to air dry before turning it back on.

Clean the logic board with isopropyl alcohol

To clean the logic board with isopropyl alcohol, you will first need to remove the battery from the board and discharge the capacitors. This is because liquid does not hurt the board or its components if there is no electricity present.

Next, you can submerge the logic board in 95% or higher isopropyl alcohol. This will clean the board and remove any corrosion. You can also use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrub the board while it is submerged. Be sure to use gentle, straight strokes, and always brush in the same direction. This will help to prevent damage to any delicate components on the board.

After cleaning, rinse the board with distilled water to remove any remaining isopropyl alcohol. Then, dry the board thoroughly using a hairdryer, making sure that all parts of the board are completely dry. You can also use compressed air to reach any hard-to-reach areas or spaces under the integrated circuit chips.

Once the board is completely dry, you can reinstall the battery and power source.

Dry your phone with silica gel

If your OnePlus 5 has suffered water damage, it's important to act quickly to prevent further damage or corrosion. Here's a detailed guide on how to dry your phone using silica gel:

Step 1: Power Off Your Device

Firstly, turn off your OnePlus 5 as soon as possible. Even if it's water-resistant, it's crucial to power it down to avoid water shorting out the circuits inside. Press and hold the power button, then select the 'Power Off' option.

Step 2: Dry the External Surfaces

Use a towel, cotton cloth, or tissue to gently wipe down the external surfaces of your phone. Absorb as much liquid as possible from the visible parts of the device. Be careful not to press too hard, especially on the screen, to avoid pushing water further into the phone.

Step 3: Remove SIM Card and Case

If your phone has a SIM card, remove it carefully using a SIM tool or paperclip. Take off the phone case as well, as there might be residual liquid inside or beneath a screen protector.

Step 4: Use Silica Gel to Absorb Moisture

Silica gel is a highly effective desiccant, which means it absorbs moisture from the air and any surrounding objects. It is often considered a better option than rice for drying electronic devices. You can find silica gel in small packets, usually with the warning "Do Not Eat." These packets are commonly included in shipments of clothing, electronics, and food products to prevent moisture damage.

Place your phone in an airtight container, such as a ziplock bag, Tupperware, or plastic container. If you have silica gel packets, place them inside the container with the phone. Make sure you have enough silica gel to absorb all the liquid inside your device; it's better to use too much than not enough.

If you have loose silica gel granules instead of packets, take extra care to avoid getting the granules into the openings of your phone, as they can be difficult to remove. In this case, it's recommended to wrap your phone in a paper towel before placing it in the container with the silica gel.

Step 5: Be Patient and Let It Dry

This is the hardest part: leave your phone alone and don't touch it for at least 48 hours. It's crucial to give it enough time to dry thoroughly. Turning on your device before it's completely dry could cause irreparable damage to its internal components.

After at least two days, take your phone out of the container and inspect it. Hopefully, the liquid will have dried up, and your phone will be as good as new!

If your phone still doesn't work, you may need to seek professional repair services or contact OnePlus support for further assistance.

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