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sam lang

Lurker
I have a Note 4 and a tiny amount of water has gotten under the app button and everything was fine for some time but now the app button is constantly pressing itself. Making the phone almost unusable, is there anything I can do in the way of turning off the button or any other sort of suggestions?

I spoke with one repair store and they said the entire screen must be replaced which seems silly as everything on the phone is working perfectly except the application button.

Is there any other sort of option???
 
I had a similar occurrence with my Galaxy S III power button.

I'm assuming you are talking about the large oval button at the bottom of the phone. It may be that there is some residual water inside the button's switch or that some corrosion has occurred or a tiny speck of conductive material is fouling the contacts - all of which might make the switch erratic.

Here are my suggestions. I recommend removing the battery and removable cards/accessories before performing any of these activities.

You could try heating the area of the switch with a hair dryer - keep it warm, not hot - and apply the heat for several minutes at a time. You should be able to apply the same heat to your skin without burning and that should protect the electronics and plastics. As you heat the area around the button, press the button repeatedly. You are trying to "clean" the switch contacts and evaporate the water.

If that doesn't work, you can try 99% isopropyl alcohol (don't use the 70% regular stuff from the drugstore as it contains water). Try to saturate the switch with alcohol by using an eyedropper or similar. Be very careful as the alcohol is extremely flammable. Again, press the button repeatedly. Let the alcohol evaporate before powering the phone back on.

The alcohol worked for me. Good luck!
 
Sorry I should have specified, it is the button on the bottom left that is an image of a rectangle with another behind it. I believe the only function it serves is to switch between applications, and it keeps on pressing itself so that it ends whatever I am doing and brings up screen to switch between applications.

I will definitely attempt the hair dryer once I have access to one.

And am open to any and all suggestions, even if there was a way for me to "break" this button as I do not need it working in any way.
 
How 'bout trying something less flammable. Put phone over night in a airtight bag of uncooked rice. It will allow it to completely dry out.
 
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