Phone · Motorola · Moto G4
Motorola Moto G4 Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Motorola Moto G4
Before you begin
Tools
- Precision opening tools
- Precision T3 Torx screwdriver
- Plastic spudger
- Tweezers
- Soft-bristled antistatic brush
- Magnifying glass or headlamp
- Anti-static wrist strap
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Lint-free microfiber cloth
- Replacement battery adhesive strips
Safety
- Never attempt to charge or power on a wet or water-damaged device until it is thoroughly cleaned and dried.
- Wear protective eyewear when working with isopropyl alcohol and brushing corrosion.
- Disconnect the battery immediately upon opening to prevent electrical short circuits.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power off the Moto G4
1 minPress and hold the power button to shut down the phone completely. Do not attempt to charge or power it on while wet.
- 2
Remove the back cover
2 minInsert a plastic opening tool into the notch near the charging port. Pry along the edges to unsnap and lift away the plastic back cover.
- 3
Eject SIM and microSD cards
1 minSlide out any installed SIM card and microSD card from their respective slots using your fingers or tweezers.
- 4
Remove midframe screws
5 minUse a T3 Torx screwdriver to remove the 19 screws securing the inner rear midframe to the phone body.
- 5
Pry up the midframe assembly
3 minInsert a plastic opening tool around the perimeter seam of the inner housing to release the plastic clips. Lift the midframe assembly off the chassis.
- 6
Disconnect the battery
1 minUse a plastic spudger to pry the battery connector straight up from its motherboard socket.
- 7
Remove the battery
3 minGently slide a flat plastic prying tool under the battery to break the adhesive bond and lift it out.
- 8
Disconnect internal camera connectors
2 minUse tweezers or a spudger to carefully detach the front and rear camera press-fit connectors from the motherboard.
- 9
Disconnect screen flex cables
2 minCarefully flip open the ZIF connector locking levers for the display and digitizer cables, then slide the ribbon cables out.
- 10
Remove motherboard
3 minLift the main motherboard out from the plastic frame, taking care not to snag any remaining ribbon cables.
- 11
Inspect for corrosion
3 minUse a magnifying glass to check the motherboard, connectors, and metal shields for white or green corrosion residue.
- 12
Scrub motherboard with isopropyl alcohol
10 minSubmerge the motherboard in high-purity isopropyl alcohol and gently scrub affected areas using a soft-bristled brush.
- 13
Clean chassis and lower port area
5 minWipe down the Micro-USB port, speaker contacts, and frame with a microfiber cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
- 14
Dry components thoroughly
15 minAllow all cleaned circuit boards and components to air-dry completely in a well-ventilated area for at least 12 to 24 hours.
- 15
Reinstall the motherboard
3 minCarefully set the dry motherboard back into the chassis and align it with the screw holes and plastic posts.
- 16
Reconnect camera and display cables
3 minPress-fit the camera connectors onto the board and lock the display ribbon cables back into their ZIF sockets.
- 17
Reinstall and reconnect the battery
2 minPlace the battery back into its housing with fresh adhesive and press the connector firmly onto the board socket.
- 18
Reattach midframe and back cover
5 minAlign the inner midframe, reinstall all 19 screws, and snap the rear cover back onto the phone.
After your Motorola Moto G4 water damage repair
Power the Moto G4 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 Motorola Moto G4 job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Motorola Moto G4 repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
