Can Your Phone Do This? How to Fix a USB Type C Port That Won't Charge!, by Paul's Hardware on YouTube. 10 min 4 s.
- Video length
- 10 min 4 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Power the phone off and unplug the charging cable. A dead port is easier to inspect when nothing is connected.
Shine a bright light into the USB-C port and look for a grey or fuzzy plug of lint packed against the back wall.
Hold the phone so the port faces down, then gently scrape the lint loose with the tip of a wooden toothpick.
Work around the edges and the centre pin block. Do not push hard or dig at the metal contacts.
Tap the phone gently against your palm to shake the loosened lint out of the port.
Blow out any remaining dust with short puffs of air or a soft brush. Avoid blasting air straight into the contacts.
Look inside again with the light. Repeat the toothpick pass until you can see the back wall of the port.
Plug the cable back in and check that it clicks in fully and the phone shows it is charging.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a wooden or plastic toothpick, never a metal pin or needle, which can short the contacts.
Do not spray contact cleaner or water into the port.
If the port still feels loose or the phone only charges at an angle, the connector itself may be worn and need a repair shop.
Clean the port every few months if you carry the phone in a pocket or bag.
Questions
Why does my USB-C port keep collecting lint?
Pocket fluff and dust get packed into the port each time you plug in the cable. Over time the plug compresses into a hard layer that stops the cable seating fully.
Can I use compressed air instead of a toothpick?
A quick burst of air can help, but packed lint usually needs to be loosened first. Use the toothpick gently, then finish with air or a soft brush.
What if cleaning does not fix the charging problem?
Try a different cable and charger to rule those out. If the port is still loose or dead, the connector may be damaged and should be checked by a repair technician.
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.
