How to Clean a Charging Port Without Damaging Your Device

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Clear dust, debris, gunk, and water from your power ports

Co-authored by Mitch Harris and Luke Smith, MFA

Last Updated: September 5, 2024 Fact Checked

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Cleaning a Charging Port

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Cleaning Water from a Charging Port

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Cleaning Phone Speakers

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Tips

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Warnings

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If it's harder than usual to insert your charging cable into the port, the cable pops out, or charging is taking longer than usual, it's likely that dust or other debris has made its way inside the port. We’ll show you how to safely clean out a charging port (including how to remove water), plus how to clean the speaker grills.

Quick Guide for Charging Port Cleaning

Hold a compressed air canister 4–5 in (10–13 cm) away from the port, then blow into the port in 1 to 2-second bursts to dislodge debris. Run a toothpick or lightly alcohol-dampened cotton swab inside the port to remove gunk. If charging problems persist, take your phone to an IT specialist.

Section 1 of 3:

Cleaning a Charging Port

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1
Shut down your device and check the port with a flashlight. This helps you get a feel for what you’re working with. Shine a flashlight into the port, and examine it for any obvious debris. If you see gunk or particles, you know what you’re dealing with. Even if you don’t, go ahead and give it a clean anyway.
- Also, if your device has a removable battery, take it out as an extra safety measure.
- This method works to clean USB-C or Lightning ports, as well as most any other charging port.
2
Blow compressed air into the charging port in 1 to 2-second bursts. Position the straw to the left or right side of the charging port, and hold it about 4–5 in (10–13 cm) away. Press down on the nozzle for 1 to 2 seconds to blow air into the port while holding the straw steady.
- You can find cans of compressed air at most electronics retailers, including Amazon.
- Be advised that some manufacturers don’t recommend this, but it’s a well-known and widely used method anyway. Do this with caution, and at your own risk.
- To avoid damaging the port, don't hold down the nozzle for more than 2 seconds. Too much air pressure can disrupt the device’s delicate internal structures.
- Resist the urge to blow into the port with your mouth. This could add moisture to the port and potentially break your phone or tablet.
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Swab the port gently with a cotton swab or toothpick. Consumer tech expert Mitch Harris says to slightly dampen a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol, then “gently wipe the area.”^{[1]
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Expert Source

Mitch Harris
Consumer Technology Expert

Expert Interview. 23 June 2021.} If a cotton swab is too large, wrap a small bit of cotton from a cotton ball or tissue around your toothpick to make a smaller cotton swab. Insert the toothpick into the port and very carefully wipe all the way around it.
- If the port has small pins or other protruding, sharp hardware inside, avoid the cotton and opt for a plain toothpick, as the cotton may get stuck on the pins and add debris.
- Also, avoid touching the pins with the toothpick. If a toothpick doesn’t fit, take your device to a professional to have it cleaned.
4
Spray away loosened debris with more compressed air. Hold the device so that the charging port faces downward toward your working surface—this will allow the dirt to fall freely from the port to the surface instead of getting stuck inside. Spray a few quick bursts inside the port again until it is clear of debris.
- If it's difficult to get the remaining dirt out of the port, wrap double-sided tape around the end of a sewing or a syringe needle and gently nudge it free.
- If there is visible debris that you can't remove using these methods, take your device to a service center.
- If you are still having trouble with your charging port, check your charging cable—it could be dirty or damaged. If you have another charging cable, give that one a try.

Section 2 of 3:

Cleaning Water from a Charging Port

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1
Tap the phone with your hand, facing the charging port downward. Hold the device with the charging port facing the ground, then lightly tap it downward against your palm. This helps drain any excess fluid from the port.^{[2]
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Research source}
- Also, power down the phone to preserve its internals.
2
Set your phone somewhere with good airflow for 1-2 hours. Leave your phone near an open window, or in a room with a running fan, with the charging port exposed. Let it air dry for 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours, until the problem is resolved.^{[3]
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Research source}
- Avoid using compressed air on a wet charging port, as the air may force the liquid further into the electronics.
- If charging problems persist, take your phone to a local IT service for help.

Section 3 of 3:

Cleaning Phone Speakers

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1
Wipe the speakers with a soft-bristled brush or cotton swab. Gently run the brush or swab over the speakers, applying light pressure to make sure the bristles can access the indents. Hold the brush or swab at an angle, and swipe downward to dislodge debris.^{[4]
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Research source}
- You might also slightly wet the swab with rubbing alcohol—not much, just enough to make it damp.
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Use a toothpick to gently pick away debris. Gently run the toothpick along the speaker grill to lift away any gunk or particles stuck there.^{[5]
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Trustworthy Source

Consumer Reports
Nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing

Go to source} Use extremely light pressure to avoid damaging the grill.
- Or, gently press some tacky adhesive putty into the grill, then peel it away to lift debris.

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Tips

If you're bringing your phone, tablet, or laptop somewhere it'll be likely to get dirty, cover the charging port with a piece of tape to protect it while not in use.

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You can also buy charging port dust plugs from electronics stores and online retailers. There are dust plugs for all types of ports, including USB-C, Lightning, and even headphone jacks.

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If you notice corrosion in your device’s charging port, take it to a professional IT service to have it cleaned.

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Warnings

Avoid sticking sharp objects like tacks, needles, or earrings into the port, as this can cause damage. Don’t use anything sharper than a toothpick.

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Avoid liquid cleaners, and only use small amounts of rubbing alcohol.

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