Phone · Samsung · Galaxy S5 Active
Samsung Galaxy S5 Active Water Damage Repair
Water Damage Repair guide for the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active
Before you begin
Tools
- Precision screwdriver set
- Plastic opening tools
- Plastic opening picks
- Tweezers
- Magnifying glass or headlamp
- Heat gun or hairdryer
- Anti-static wrist strap
- Soft nylon brush
Parts / materials
- 99% Isopropyl alcohol
- Lint-free microfiber wipes
- Replacement display adhesive strips
Safety
- Wear an anti-static wrist strap to prevent electrostatic discharge from damaging motherboard components.
- Work in a well-ventilated area when using high-concentration isopropyl alcohol.
- Use care when heating the display assembly to avoid burning your fingers or damaging the screen panel.
Overview
Step-by-step
- 1
Power Down the Device
1 minTurn off the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active completely before starting any repair work.
- 2
Remove the Back Cover
1 minUse your fingernail or a plastic opening tool to lift the back cover off from the notch near the top corner.
- 3
Remove the Battery
1 minLift the battery out of its recess using the notch at the bottom edge of the battery compartment.
- 4
Eject SIM and MicroSD Cards
1 minPush and slide out the SIM card and MicroSD card from their respective slots inside the battery bay.
- 5
Unscrew the Midframe Fasteners
3 minUse a Phillips #00 screwdriver to remove all visible screws securing the midframe inside the battery compartment.
- 6
Warm the Screen Edges
4 minApply heat to the outer edges of the display using a heat gun or hairdryer to soften the perimeter adhesive.
- 7
Pry the Screen Assembly
5 minInsert a plastic opening pick between the glass assembly and outer frame to carefully slice through the softened adhesive.
- 8
Disconnect the Display Cable
2 minTilt the top of the display up and use a plastic opening tool to detach the display ribbon cable connector.
- 9
Disconnect the Button Flex Cables
2 minUnplug the lower hardware button flex cables from the motherboard before lifting the display clear of the frame.
- 10
Remove Internal Chassis Screws
3 minUnscrew the remaining Phillips screws securing the inner plastic motherboard bracket to the rugged phone body.
- 11
Detach the Motherboard
3 minGently lift the main motherboard assembly out of the phone chassis using plastic tweezers or a spudger.
- 12
Inspect for Water Corrosion
3 minExamine the motherboard under a magnifying glass to identify areas with white, green, or rusty mineral deposits.
- 13
Clean the Motherboard with Alcohol
5 minSubmerge the motherboard in 99% isopropyl alcohol and scrub the corroded areas gently using a soft anti-static brush.
- 14
Dry the Components Completely
10 minLay the motherboard and internal components on a lint-free wipe and allow them to air-dry thoroughly.
- 15
Reinstall the Motherboard
4 minPlace the dried motherboard back into the housing and reconnect all internal flex cables securely.
- 16
Apply Fresh Display Adhesive
4 minClean off old adhesive residue from the frame and lay down new pre-cut adhesive strips along the perimeter.
- 17
Reattach the Display Assembly
3 minPlug in the display ribbon cable and press the screen firmly into the chassis to seal it against the new adhesive.
- 18
Install Battery and Back Cover
2 minInsert the battery back into its bay, snap the rear cover back on, and press firmly around all edges to engage the clips.
After your Samsung Galaxy S5 Active water damage repair
Power the Galaxy S5 Active 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 Samsung Galaxy S5 Active job before assuming the part is defective. Keep leftover adhesive and screws labeled in case you need a second pass.
Keep learning
Explore more Samsung Galaxy S5 Active repair context in the encyclopedia, or open related DIY guides.
