Wired Audio works after getting wet but Bluetooth doesn’t

Question

Bose QuietComfort 45

The Bose QuietComfort 45 is a noise cancelling headphone model that was released on September 23, 2021. Its model number is 845217-0100.

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MiniOcto @miniocto

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Mha 21, 2024

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Wired Audio works after getting wet but Bluetooth doesn’t

So basically, my mom has the QC45’s and she wears them as an EVS tech at the local ER and she dropped them when refilling a bucket so they got wet. We let them dry for a week and then plugged them in.

They light up to white twice then turn amber, but when you try to turn on the Bluetooth after charging, they don’t boot up.

Wired works but I have to do this weird thing where I plug it in to charge, turn it on and off a few times, then set it to off and unplug and then sound works fine.

I’m assuming it’s something to do with the connection to the battery if the sound is able to come thru but it needs a few weird power tricks to make it work. Is there anyway to replace the battery? Would it be worth it?

I feel bad because my mom got them as a gift and loved them for her work and she works really hard and these were the one expensive thing she let me dad get her.

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score 0 · Answer 1 · 2024-08-22T01:05:48-07:00

Hi @miniocto

The impurities in the water causes corrosion and provides circuit paths for the electricity which were not in the headphone's operating design and could damage the components. The corrosion starts immediately and is ongoing until it is completely cleaned away

First do not continue to charge or to turn on your headphones and then remove the battery as soon as possible to minimize any further damage.

Then you need to dis-assemble the rest of the device and clean all the affected parts using Isopropyl Alcohol 99%+ (available at electronics parts stores) to remove all traces of corrosion and water. If possible do not use "rubbing alcohol" as in some cases this is only 70% IPA or less, can contain additives which may leave conductive residues and is not as effective. If you do have to use it check the label to verify the amount of IPA. The higher the percentage of IPA the better

Here is a link that describes what happens. Electronics Water Damage

As always with electronics, especially surface mounted pcb be gentle when handling and especially when brushing away the corrosion. You do not want to remove any components from the board. The ends of any flex cables and their connectors need to be cleaned as well

Hopefully after you have done all this the headphones might possibly work correctly again.

Here is a video that may help. It shows how to open the headphones so that you can check the board for any damage due to corrosion etc and also how to replace the battery if necessary. Usually the battery model number is on the battery so if it needs replacing (after you have checked and cleaned the board and tried testing if they work OK or not), search online for the battery model number to find suppliers that suit you best.

If this process seems too daunting, take your headphones to a reputable, professional electronics repair service, experienced in liquid damage repair and ask for a quote for a repair. If you decide to do this, do it sooner than later.

Bose QuietComfort 45

Wired Audio works after getting wet but Bluetooth doesn’t

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