Smartphones and tablets have become an important part of modern life. However, after spending a long time in your pocket or purse, dust will start to accumulate on your device. Sometimes, this causes the charging port on the phone to stop working. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to clean your device's charging port that you can try before buying a new phone or charging cable.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Removing the Fibers with a Toothpick
Step 1. Turn off the phone to prevent injury
Hold down the power button to turn off the phone. Some phones also have a "Power Off" option in their menu. Always turn off the phone before cleaning the charging port to prevent injury and damage to its electrical components.
Remove the battery after turning off the phone just in case
Step 2. Wrap a small amount of cotton on a toothpick
Lay the cotton on a flat surface. Place the toothpick at a 20-degree angle on the cotton swab. Hold the cotton ball in one hand while twisting the toothpick in the other. Continue until a small amount of cotton is wrapped around the end of the toothpick.
Do not use too much cotton so as not to interfere with the cleaning process
Step 3. Hold the phone tilted up and to one side
Place the top of the phone on a flat surface. Tilt the phone up and slightly to the right or left. The charging port should be in front of you and the phone screen facing a flat surface.
Step 4. Slide the tip of the cotton toothpick against the back wall of the port
Insert the toothpick into the port, and slide it left and right while pressing up, making sure the cotton doesn't fall off the toothpick. Repeat until the lint exits the port.
If necessary, blow on the port to loosen the lint inside
Step 5. Gently rub the side of the port to remove excess lint
Slide the toothpick along the side if you see any lint. However, be careful that the spring-loaded anchor attached to the charger is on this side. If the lint doesn't come out after a few strokes, stop.
If there is no excess lint, it is best to use a can of compressed air
Method 2 of 3: Removing Stool with a Needle
Step 1. Remove the battery to prevent injury
If the phone remains on while cleaning with a needle, you may experience an electric shock and damage the components of the device. Most phones can be turned off by holding down the power button. After that, remove the battery to disconnect the power.
On some phones, you can also select "Power Off" from the options menu to turn it off
Step 2. Wrap the tip of the needle with double-sided tape
Purchase a syringe that has a 2.5 cm long 25 gauge needle. Actually you can use any needle, but ideally use a 25 gauge which is 2.5 cm long. Take a small piece of double-sided tape and wrap it around the end of the needle.
Double-sided tape can be purchased at bookstores or stationary
Step 3. Insert the needle into the right or left side of the charger
Hold the needle comfortably like a pencil. Carefully insert the needle into the right or left side of the charger port. Slide the tip of the needle up to pull the fiber out of the port. Continue gently pulling the needle up until all the lint is out of the port.
Try not to scratch the anchors on the left and right of the port with the tip of the needle
Step 4. Blow on the charging port to get rid of any remaining lint
After cleaning the port with the needle, blow gently to remove any remaining lint. Look into the port and check if any lint has been missed.
If you have trouble removing the lint, consider using compressed air
Method 3 of 3: Removing Impurities with Compressed Air
Step 1. Purchase a can of compressed air with a hose
Compressed air cans are sold online, electronics stores, and stationary. Make sure to buy one that comes with a straw so you can aim the blow at your device port.
Do not use compressed air on Apple's lightning ports, i.e. iPhone, iPad, and iPod
Step 2. Connect the straw to the nozzle of the can
Attach a small straw to the can of compressed air. After that, aim down and press the nozzle to test it. Air should come out of the nozzle tip of the can.
Tighten the straw if you feel air coming out of the side of the nozzle
Step 3. Clean the water charger port with 1-2 second blast
Position the straw to the left or right side of the charger. Press down on the port and hold it while fixing the straw.
- Repeat the above procedure and test the port again.
- To avoid damaging the port, do not hold the nozzle for more than 2 seconds. Excess air pressure will disrupt the fragile structure in the device's internal structure.
