PDF download Download Article
Easily clean dust or debris from your headphone jack or aux port
PDF download Download Article

Are you having issues connecting headphones to your phone or other electronic device? When your headphone jack is left uncovered in your bag or pocket, it can easily accumulate dirt and lint. Without proper cleaning, you eventually may not be able to plug in your headphones. Headphone jacks and aux ports on stereos can be cleaned quickly and safely. Compressed air blows out debris, but you can also use a cotton swab for tough debris or a taped paperclip to remove lint. We'll walk you through 4 incredibly easy ways to clean your headphone jack.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Cotton Swabs

PDF download Download Article
  1. Cotton swabs, also known as Q-tips, are easy to find in any store where health and beauty products are sold. Try to get swabs that don't look very fluffy so the cotton isn't left behind in the jack or port. Swabs with thinner tips work better because they are easier to fit inside the jack.
    • Make sure your device is powered off before you continue.
  2. On one end of the swab, begin tearing or cutting off cotton from the tip. Make the tip as close to the width of the swab's middle portion as possible. Once the swab tip is this size, it should fit comfortably inside the jack.
    Advertisement
  3. Don't jam the swab into the jack. Slowly push it in until it rests inside the hole. Spin the swab to brush off all sides of the jack. Remove the swab and most debris will fall out.[1]
  4. For difficult debris, you can dip the swab in some rubbing alcohol. Make sure the swab is lightly coated, not soaked or dripping. Squeeze out excess moisture with a tissue or cloth first. Put the swab back inside the jack and spin it again.
    • Rubbing alcohol can corrode the metal, so use it sparingly. You may want to let it sit and dry for a few minutes before putting it back in the jack.
  5. The rubbing alcohol should dry quickly on its own. However, you can remove excess moisture to minimize the jack's exposure. Stick a clean swab into the jack. Leave it in there for a moment and spin it around to collect the alcohol.
    • Wait at least an hour before powering your device back on.
  6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Compressed Air

PDF download Download Article
  1. Compressed air, which can be found at electronics, office supplies, or computer stores, is used for clearing debris from computer parts and keyboards. Air is least likely to damage your jack since you don't have to put anything inside the hole other than the air.
  2. Get the air dispensing opening right up next to the jack. Some bottles come with thin straws that stick out from the can. These may be easier for you to use since you can point the tube directly at the jack and focus the air into the small opening.
  3. Press the button on the top of the can to start dispensing air. You should only need a blast or two to loosen most debris inside the jack. Make sure all it comes out of the hole.[2]
  4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

A Taped Paperclip

PDF download Download Article
  1. Open up a paper clip so that one end is straight. Once straight, the paper clip can be used to scrape out debris. But since the metal can scratch the inside of the jack, you should never simply insert it into the port.
    • A toothpick can also be used, but the pointed ends can also scratch the jack's interior.
    • Needles are useful for reaching lint and large debris but can easily scratch the jack. Only use a needle as a last resort.
  2. Use standard office tape (like Scotch or Sellotape). Tightly wrap the tape sticky side up around the straightened end of the paperclip. Before use, check to see that the tape is secure and won't come off.[3]
  3. Slowly move the tape into position. Don't jam it in there. Reach for any debris you see. The tape forms a lint roller and will remove stuck debris and lint.
    • After cleaning out the headphone jack with a taped paperclip, you may want to clean it out with a cotton swab, just for good measure.
  4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

An Interdental Brush

PDF download Download Article
  1. These are small dental brushes with bristles on all sides of the tip which are typically used for cleaning braces. You can buy them at any drug store or health and beauty supply store.
    • This can be useful for removing any corroded metal or rust that has accumulated on the inside of your headphone jack.
    • Make sure your device is turned off before inserting a brush or anything dipped in alcohol.
  2. To do so, dip the brush in some rubbing alcohol and then tap it a few times to remove excess alcohol. It should be damp but not soaking wet. If it is too wet, ring it out with a cloth or tissue.
  3. Don't ram it in. Make sure you insert it gently as far as it will go. Then rotate it to loosen any debris left on the inside.
  4. Go ahead and reinsert the brush into the headphone jack and twist it a few times to make sure all the debris is cleaned out.
    • Be sure to wait at least an hour before powering your device back on.
  5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I tried almost all of these and my phone is still in headphone mode. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    If nothing is working, you should consult the technical support department of your phone's manufacturer. There may be something easy they can do to fix it, or you may need to upgrade your phone.
  • Question
    I tried everything but it won't connect my earphone. What do I do?
    Rudy Toth
    Rudy Toth
    Community Answer
    You need to get yourself a can of compressed air along with good ventilation in the room to clean out the headphone jack connector. There also adaptors that connect to the primary jack to bring down the size to 3.5mm jacks being a female adapter. Radio Shack use to sell these but, since RS is no longer in business. You need to seek them elsewhere on line maybe to obtain which are cheap and reliable.
  • Question
    My headphones sort of bounce out of the headphone jack, and sound stops or comes out of the phone itself sometimes, instead of the headphones. Is it a dirty headphone jack or a problem with the phone?
    Robert Lupas
    Robert Lupas
    Community Answer
    It can be either a dirty headphone jack or a problem with the phone. First, try to clean it using this tutorial. Then, if it still doesn't work, it might be a problem with the phone. Try scanning the phone for viruses (they can affect the sound output) and try hard rebooting it or even doing a total reset. If the problem is still unsolved, take it to get a professional service done.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

  • Be gentle and minimal when putting anything inside the jack. The metal can easily be scratched or corroded.


Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Compressed air
  • Cotton swabs
  • Paperclip
  • Office tape
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Interdental brush

You Might Also Like

Connect Two Different Airpods to One Case Pair Mismatched AirPods with One Case, Plus Troubleshooting
Find Airpods when Dead3 Simple Ways to Locate Your Lost Dead AirPods
Headphone Dent Get Rid of a Headphone Dent (And Prevent a Future One)
Fix Earphones when One Side Is SilentFix Earphones when One Side Is Silent
Tell if Airpod Pros Are Charging Tell if AirPods Pro Are Charging: Battery Status & More
Fix Water Damaged AirpodsFix Water Damaged Airpods
Flashing Orange Light AirpodsAirPods or Case Blinking Orange Light? Here's How to Fix It
Check if Sony Headphones Are OriginalEasy Ways to Tell if Sony Headphones Are Fake or Authentic
Connect Airpods to Lenovo Laptop Connect AirPods to a Lenovo Laptop: Easy Pair Guide
Update Airpods Update and Check the Firmware on Your AirPods
Reset Astro A50Easy Ways to Reset Astro A50 Headphones
Keep Earbuds from Falling Out of Your Ears10 Easy Ways to Keep Earbuds from Falling Out of Your Ears
Airpods Connected but No Sound15 Ways to Fix AirPods Not Playing Sound when Connected
Connect a HyperX Cloud HeadsetConnect a HyperX Cloud Headset
Advertisement

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cleaning, check out our in-depth interview with Florisa-Leila Ramos.

About This Article

Florisa-Leila Ramos
Co-authored by:
Cleaning Expert
This article was co-authored by Florisa-Leila Ramos and by wikiHow staff writer, Travis Boylls. Florisa Ramos is a Cleaning Expert based in Leominster, Massachusetts. Florisa founded Office & Home Cleaning in 2017 and brings over 20 years of experience in the house cleaning industry. With a 5-star rating on Google, Office & Home Cleaning offers deep cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and office cleaning services. With extensive training in cleaning business fundamentals and a workshop certification in commercial cleaning and facilities management, Florisa has built a reputable career in the cleaning industry, demonstrating expertise in both residential and commercial cleaning services. She has been featured on multiple online platforms, showcasing best practices, expert cleaning tips, and sustainable cleaning solutions. Recognized for her commitment to eco-friendly practices, Florisa prioritizes using safe, non-toxic products to protect both clients' spaces and the environment. Florisa has an Associate's degree in Business Administration from Mount Wachusett Community College. This article has been viewed 276,810 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 11
Updated: December 3, 2024
Views: 276,810
Article SummaryX

1. Use compressed air to blow out any dust and debris with a couple blasts of air directly into the headphone jack.
2. Power off the device.
3. Use a cotton swap lightly coated with rubbing alcohol to gently swab the inside of the jack.
4. Use a paperclip with tape wrapped around the end to get stubborn lint and debris out.
5. Use an interdental brush lightly coated in rubbing alcohol to brush out any rust or corrosion from the inside.
6. Wait at least an hour before powering your device back on.
To learn how to use compressed air or a taped paper clip to clean your headphone jack, scroll down!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 276,810 times.

Is this article up to date?

Advertisement