Samsung S23 Ultra Charging Port Moisture Detected – UK Troubleshooting

Samsung S23 Ultra Charging Port Moisture Detected – UK Troubleshooting Guide

If your Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra keeps showing the “Moisture detected in charging port” warning, you’re not alone. This is one of the most common Samsung issues in the UK, especially during rainy weather, cold-to-warm transitions, coastal humidity, and even after long runs where the phone warms up and then cools rapidly. I’ve dealt with this fault several times, and the pattern is surprisingly consistent — the alert often refuses to disappear even when your phone is completely dry.

This UK-focused guide gives you practical, safe, and fast fixes. It also includes Samsung-specific insights and internal linking to the main Samsung hub plus relevant guides such as battery & charging tips and connectivity troubleshooting.

Why the S23 Ultra Shows the “Moisture Detected” Warning

The Galaxy S23 Ultra uses a tiny humidity sensor inside the USB-C port. It’s sensitive — sometimes overly sensitive — especially in typical UK weather patterns. Here’s what commonly triggers the warning:

• Cold weather condensation (walking outside in winter, then entering a warm room)
• Rain exposure, even without direct water contact — mist and drizzle can be enough
• Steam from kitchens, gyms, or hot showers
• Using a non-Samsung Super Fast Charger that confuses the moisture sensor
• Dust mixed with humidity accumulating inside the USB-C port

Sometimes, the sensor misfires even when the port is completely dry. This is especially common on S-series phones after updates or when using older cables.

Before You Start – What NOT to Do

To avoid permanent charging port damage, avoid these common mistakes:

• Do NOT use a hairdryer — the heat can warp internal components.
• Do NOT stick cotton buds, paperclips, or SIM tools inside the port.
• Do NOT blow air from your mouth (moisture adds to the problem).
• Avoid charging with force or wiggling the cable — this can damage the port pins.

UK-Friendly Fixes to Remove the Moisture Detected Warning

1. Dry the USB-C Port Properly (5–15 minutes)

Samsung devices can detect moisture even when the port merely “feels” damp. Here’s a safe method that works well in UK humidity:

1. Turn the phone off.
2. Hold the phone upright (USB-C port facing downward).
3. Gently tap your hand against the top of the phone — not the port — to dislodge droplets.
4. Place the phone in front of a cold fan or near open air, not heat.

UK tip: During winter, central heating can cause condensation inside the port when you bring your phone indoors. Let the device acclimatise for 5–10 minutes before attempting to charge.

2. Use Wireless Charging as a Temporary Workaround

Wireless charging bypasses the USB-C port completely. If you need to charge urgently:

• Any Qi-certified wireless charger works (Samsung, Anker, Belkin, etc.)
• Charging may be slower if the device is warm or running background apps

This gives the port time to dry while keeping your S23 Ultra powered.

3. Remove Moisture from Inside the USB-C Port

If you’re in a humid UK city (Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, Cardiff), moisture builds up easily in the tiny gaps of the USB-C connector. Try this:

• Use compressed air at a safe distance — short pressure bursts only
• Leave the phone on a clean, flat surface next to a fan

Avoid silica gel or rice — they don’t help with port moisture and can introduce dust.

4. Check the Charger and USB-C Cable

In the UK, many users mix different charging cables across devices (Samsung, Apple, Amazon Basics, supermarket cables). Low-quality cables can repeatedly trigger the warning.

Check the following:

• Use a genuine Samsung 25W/45W Super Fast Charger
• Try another official USB-C cable if available
• Avoid frayed or third-party cheap cables from petrol stations or pound shops

Sometimes the issue is the charger, not the phone.

5. Disable Fast Charging Temporarily

This does not remove moisture but sometimes bypasses overly sensitive detection:

1. Go to Settings
2. Tap Battery (or Battery & Device Care)
3. Select Charging
4. Disable Fast Charging and Super Fast Charging

Now try charging with a standard 5V charger — the phone may accept power without triggering the warning. This also ties into broader battery optimisation that many Samsung users overlook.

6. Restart the Device (Clears a Software False Alarm)

Sometimes the moisture alert is a software glitch, especially after a One UI update:

• Restart your S23 Ultra
• Wait 30–60 seconds
• Reconnect the charger

If it disappears, the sensor wasn’t detecting actual liquid.

7. Boot into Safe Mode (Checks if an App Interferes)

Rare but possible: an app that controls charging behaviour may cause false moisture alerts.

To enter Safe Mode:

1. Press and hold the power button.
2. Press and hold “Power Off”.
3. Select Safe Mode.

Try charging in Safe Mode. If it works, uninstall recently added apps.

If Moisture Warning Won’t Go Away

If you’ve tried everything and the S23 Ultra still refuses to charge, consider these next steps:

1. Check for Hidden Corrosion

Even IP68 phones can develop corrosion from:

• Seawater (common in Brighton, Bournemouth, Cornwall)
• Gym sweat exposure
• Steam from bathrooms

Corrosion doesn’t need visible rust — microscopic residue can block charging until cleaned.

2. Replace the Charging Port (Common UK Repair)

Repair shops in the UK typically charge:

• £50–£80 for charging port cleaning / service
• £90–£140 for full charging port replacement

Authorised Samsung service centres are more expensive but maintain waterproofing integrity.

3. Claim Samsung Warranty (If Eligible)

If your S23 Ultra is under warranty and the water flap wasn’t damaged, Samsung may cover the repair. However, moisture damage outside IP68 conditions (bathrooms, beaches) is usually not covered.

How to Avoid Moisture Detection in the Future

• Let your phone adjust when entering a warm home from cold outdoors.
• Avoid charging in steamy bathrooms.
• Use wireless charging overnight.
• Keep a clean USB-C port – UK lint from pockets is surprisingly common.

You can also explore broader Samsung hardware and connectivity issues if your ports frequently misbehave.

Final Thoughts

The “Moisture detected” warning on the Samsung S23 Ultra is annoying, especially when you know the phone is dry. UK weather conditions make the sensor activate more often than in many other countries, but the fixes above work reliably. In most cases, the port just needs time and proper airflow — not heat — and you’ll be able to charge normally again.

If the issue returns repeatedly, consider cleaning or replacing the port, as a failing sensor is a known fault on many Samsung models.