Symptoms
- Water droplets visible in speaker holes
- Crackling, bubbling, or muffled sound
- Happened right after a splash, rain, or dunk
Likely causes
- CommonSurface tension holding water in the fine meshSpeaker mesh holes are small enough that water clings rather than draining out on its own.
What to do
- Tap the phone gently against your palm with the speaker facing down.
- Use a water-eject shortcut or app that plays a low-frequency tone to vibrate water out.
- Place the phone speaker-down on a paper towel and let gravity and airflow help over a few hours.
- Avoid using heat (hair dryers, ovens, direct sun) which can damage other components.
- Test sound quality periodically; repeat the vibration step if needed.
- If water or crackling persists after a day, corrosion may be starting and needs a professional look.
Tools and parts
- Paper towel
When to call a pro
If crackling continues after a day of drying, take it to a repair shop before corrosion sets into the speaker contacts.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.