Why make cleaning the charging port the first port of call when you can’t charge your phone, tablet or laptop? Well, more often than not, the main cause is dust, lint and other debris! Overtime, they gradually build up inside the port (as well as speaker and receiver grilles). Most of us keep our phones in our pockets, and this is a great place to pick up flulf and crumbs etc. As a result, it makes it difficult to plug in the charging cable or peripherals.
So hello again, fellow readers and fixers! Today, we explain how to clean the charging port on laptops and mobile devices. The same principle also works for cleaning other ports, and parts of devices, too!
What you need for cleaning ports
For best results, you can use the following to clean the ports;
- Toothpick or disposable dental floss – we recommend using a plastic or wooden one for this. Using a metal one could permanently damage the port!
- A soft brush such as an old toothbrush, or an old paint brush can sometimes help clean out ports.
- A solvent such as IPA (Isopropyl alcohol) can help to wash out stubborn and more difficult to remove material. Afterward, we recommend leaving the device in a warm place for at least an hour, before plugging cables in. This to make sure all of the IPA has evaporated.
How to clean the port
- Firstly, power off the device.
- Secondly, check the port for any dust, debris or gunk inside. If you find any inside, you can move on to the next step.
- Thirdly, insert the toothpick or dental floss stick into the port and gently scrape along the flat surface. This helps lift the particles out of the charging ports. Try not to touch the pins to avoid physical damage.
- Fourthly, use a toothbrush to gently brush out any loose particles which still cling to the inside of the port.
Wrapping up…
This maintenance task is a handy way to diagnose problems with charging mobile devices. If it’s just a case of cleaning the port, then you save yourself a visit to a repair shop! And on this note, as always, keep calm and just keep on fixing!