PSA, you can clean your charging cables #tech #apple #iphone, by Andrew Bond on YouTube. 1 min 3 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 3 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Unplug the cable from the charger and from your device. Never clean a connector while it is carrying power.
Shine a flashlight into the port and look for a grey plug of lint at the back. Most charging faults start there.
Use a wooden toothpick or plastic pick to gently loosen the lint. Never use a metal pin, needle or paper clip, which can bend or short the pins.
Tip the device so the loosened lint falls out, or blow a couple of short bursts of compressed air across the opening.
Dampen a lint-free cloth with a little isopropyl alcohol and wipe the metal connector on the cable. Do not dunk it or pour alcohol into the port.
Clean the contacts inside the port with a cotton swab lightly dampened with alcohol. Use a swab with a thin head so it fits without force.
Let both the cable and the port air dry for a few minutes before plugging anything back in.
Check the cable for frayed insulation, bent pins or black scorch marks. If you see any of these, replace the cable instead of cleaning it.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use water or household spray cleaner on a charging port, since moisture and residue cause corrosion.
Do not scrape hard with a metal tool, as one bent pin can ruin the port.
Keep the compressed air can upright so it does not spray cold liquid onto the contacts.
Clean the port every few months if you carry your phone in a pocket or bag.
Questions
Can I use rubbing alcohol to clean a charging port?
Yes, 70 percent isopropyl alcohol is fine and evaporates quickly. Apply it to a cloth or swab rather than pouring it into the port.
Why does my cable only charge at a certain angle?
Packed lint usually stops the connector seating fully. Cleaning the port often fixes it, but a worn or bent connector on the cable means you need a new cable.
Can I use a vacuum on the port?
A vacuum on a low setting can pull out loose dust, but keep the nozzle away from the pins. A toothpick and short bursts of air are safer.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
