Phone · LG · G3
LG G3 Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the LG G3
Before you begin
Tools
- Phillips #00 screwdriver
- Plastic opening tools
- Spudger
- Tweezers
- Soft anti-static brush
- Anti-static wrist strap
- Magnifying glass
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Microfiber lint-free cloth
- Compressed air canister
Safety
- Wear safety glasses to protect against liquid splashes during cleaning.
- Work in a well-ventilated space to avoid inhaling isopropyl alcohol fumes.
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to protect sensitive logic board components from ESD.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Off Phone
1 minPress and hold the power button on the back panel, then select Power Off on the display.
- 2
Remove Rear Cover
1 minInsert a fingernail or plastic opening tool into the notch at the bottom edge and pry off the plastic back cover.
- 3
Remove Battery
1 minLift the battery out from the small recess located at the bottom edge of the battery compartment.
- 4
Remove MicroSD and SIM Cards
1 minPress gently on the SIM and microSD cards and slide them out from their respective slots.
- 5
Unbolt Midframe Screws
4 minUse a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove all 13 screws securing the plastic midframe sections.
- 6
Pry Upper Midframe Housing
2 minInsert an opening tool under the upper plastic cover surrounding the rear buttons and pop it free.
- 7
Remove Lower Speaker Assembly
2 minWedge a plastic opening tool under the bottom speaker housing and pry it off the phone chassis.
- 8
Disconnect Front Camera
1 minUse the flat end of a spudger to pry the front-facing camera press connector directly off the motherboard.
- 9
Disconnect Rear Camera
1 minGently pop the main rear camera ribbon connector off its motherboard socket using a spudger.
- 10
Disconnect Display Assembly Cable
1 minLever the display flex cable connector straight up off the lower left section of the motherboard.
- 11
Lift Out Motherboard
2 minGently lift the motherboard from the top edge and pull it completely away from the phone frame.
- 12
Scrub Motherboard with Alcohol
10 minDip a soft anti-static brush in high-percentage isopropyl alcohol and gently scrub all corroded areas and circuit components.
- 13
Dry Motherboard Thoroughly
15 minUse short bursts of compressed air to clear trapped alcohol and let the board dry on a lint-free towel for 15 minutes.
- 14
Place Motherboard into Frame
2 minAlign the dried motherboard with the frame pegs and press it carefully back into place.
- 15
Reconnect Ribbon Connectors
2 minPress down firmly on the display, front camera, and rear camera press connectors until they click into position.
- 16
Snap Midframe Covers Back
2 minPosition the upper button cover and lower speaker assembly over the chassis and press until they snap shut.
- 17
Reinstall Frame Screws
4 minThread and tighten all 13 Phillips #00 screws back into the midframe.
- 18
Insert Battery and Rear Cover
2 minReinsert your SIM and microSD cards, drop the battery back into its bay, and snap the rear cover closed.
After your LG G3 water damage repair
Power the G3 back on and test the water damage repair function before you put every screw away. Check touch/display response, charging, cameras, buttons, and wireless as relevant to this repair. If something fails after closing the device, reopen carefully and reseat the connectors for this LG G3 job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more LG G3 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
