Phone Not Charging? Properly Clean Your iPhone or Samsung Charge Port, by SmarTech Solutions | Formerly Mr. Phone Doctor on YouTube. 7 min 52 s.
- Video length
- 7 min 52 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Power the phone off completely and unplug any cable. Work over a clean, well-lit table so you can see inside the port.
Shine a light into the port and look for lint, dust or a compacted grey plug of fluff at the back.
Dampen a toothpick or plastic pick with a little 91% isopropyl alcohol. Do not pour or spray alcohol into the port.
Gently scrape along the back wall of the port to lift the lint out. Keep the pick parallel to the port and away from the metal pins.
Use a soft brush to sweep loose dust out of the opening. A short blast of compressed air can help, held a few inches away.
Check the port again with the light. Repeat the pick and brush until you see clean metal and no grey fluff.
Let the port air dry for a few minutes so any alcohol evaporates fully.
Plug in the cable and check that the connector clicks in flush. Power on and confirm the phone shows it is charging.
Tips and common mistakes
Never use a metal pin, needle or paper clip, as it can bend or short the charging pins.
Avoid cotton swabs, which can leave fibres behind and make the blockage worse.
Use only 91% isopropyl alcohol, since lower-strength rubbing alcohol contains water that can linger.
If the port looks damaged or the phone still will not charge, stop and take it to a repair shop.
Questions
Can I clean the port with a toothpick alone?
Yes, a dry wooden toothpick works for loose lint. Add a little 91% alcohol only when the fluff is stuck to the back wall.
Why does my cable not click in anymore?
Compacted lint at the bottom of the port stops the connector seating fully. Clearing it usually restores the click and charging.
Is it safe to use compressed air?
Yes, if you hold the can upright and a few inches away. Short bursts are enough, and long blasts can push dust deeper.
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.
