Tablets, laptops, and smartphones are all portable. These devices spend a lot of time in our hands, in pockets, in handbags, on unclean tables, outside, and in other potentially dirty places. Dust or other materials can get through the port if it is difficult to enter your charging cable, the cable pops out, or the charging takes longer. To fix this issue, here is our guide on cleaning a USB or Lightning charging port on your phone. Also, if you are unable to resolve it, bring your device to repair professionals for assistance.

Steps To Clean The Charging Port Of Your Phone

Here is what you need to follow these steps to clean the charging port of your laptops and tablets.

Step 1. Gather Your Materials

Generally, you can use things you already have in your home to clean your charging port.  What you’ll need is as follows:

  • A pressurized air can. 
  • The narrow straws that fit into the nozzles of these air cans make it simple to spray precise bursts into limited areas.
  • The sharp tip of a plastic toothpick or a slender wooden toothpick.
  • A pad or cotton ball
  • Isopropyl alcohol or a contact cleaner if the dirt inside the port cannot be removed
  • A flat, dust-free table and well-ventilated workplace

Step 2. Wrap A Small Bit Of Cotton Around Your Toothpick

  • Place a spherical cotton ball or pad on a flat area to start. Next, at a 20-degree angle, press your toothpick into a very thin layer of cotton. 
  • Using one hand to hold the cotton in place, twist the toothpick until a bit of cotton encircles the tip. If possible, apply this to the toothpick’s two ends.
  • A cotton swab could work, but they typically fit too tightly into charging ports. 

Step 3. Turn Off Your Phone, Tablet, Or Laptop

  • Turn off your phone or tablet before cleaning its charging port to prevent damage or harm. If your device has a detachable battery, then take it out.

Step4. Blow Compressed Air Into The Charger Port In 1 To 2-Second Bursts

  • Place the straw on either the USB charging port’s right or left side. Grasp the straw firmly and apply pressure on the port. Holding the straw firm, press down on the nozzle for one to two seconds to force air into the port.
  • Holding down the nozzle for more than two seconds can cause damage to the port. The sensitive internal components of the phone or tablet can be damaged by excessive air pressure.
  • Don’t mouth-blow into the port! This can cause the port to become wetter and even harm your phone or tablet.

Step 4. Drag The Cotton-Lined Toothpick Along The Inner Wall Of The Port

Here is what to do further in the process of cleaning the USB port of the phone:

  • Hold the toothpick or wipe against any side of the internal wall rather than pushing it into the port.
  • Keep dragging the toothpick or swab end along the inner wall’s edges until all debris has been removed. You should repeat this process if the port is clogged with debris.
  • Be careful just to exert enough force to free stuck-on particles.
  • You might wet the cotton with a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol and repeat the procedure if there is dirt within the port. Ensure the cotton is slightly moist rather than wet; you don’t want to add any liquids to the port.

Step 5. Spray Away Loosened Debris With More Compressed Air

  • The dirt will be able to fall freely from the phone, tablet, or laptop to the surface instead of becoming lodged within if you hold the device with the charging port facing downward toward your work surface. Once more, spray within the port in short bursts until it is clean of debris.
  • Try putting some double-sided tape on the end of a sewing or syringe needle and carefully pushing the dirt out of the port if you’re still having trouble getting it out.
  • Bring your device to a service facility if there is visible debris you cannot remove with these procedures.

Check your charging cord if the issue persists with your charging port; it may be soiled or broken. Try your other charging cord if you have one.

Thing To Avoid When Cleaning the Charging Port

To avoid damaging your phone, you should not use a toothbrush on it. It could be a disaster if your toothbrush bristles ever find their way into your charging port. Avoid blowing on the port where you charge your device, as saliva and salivary particles can pose risks. For professional phone repair, prioritize using safe and appropriate cleaning methods.

Conclusion

These suggestions will help you clean a dirty phone jack. Charging your phone now should be completely safe to do. However, if you are facing issues, in doing this, you can contact GadgetFix, as we are proud to be a locally-owned business located in Santa Barbara, California. Our goal is to offer great customer repair services, quick and reliable solutions by using quality parts, and competitive pricing! 

Important FAQs

Q1. How do I know if my charging port is damaged?

You can see physical damage to the port, such as twisted or missing pins. It might be challenging to insert the charger into the phone’s port, or it could not hold firmly in place.

Q2. Can a dirty charging port affect charging?

The charging port on your phone can get damaged by dust or other materials and end up loose or cracked, hindering appropriate charging.

Q3. How can I fix my charger at home?

You should start with the simplest fixes, such as trying a new outlet or inspecting the wire for damage. If you see any damage to the cable, you can use electrical tape to repair it temporarily.