How to Get Dust Out of Your Charging Port

Dust can be a nuisance around your home and on your phone. In addition to causing allergies, debris entering your phone's charging point can build up until it causes a disconnect between your charging connectors. 

As a result, dust can prevent your phone from charging correctly. It's best to remove the dust as soon as possible to avoid any further problems or damage. However, this needs to be done safely for you and your device. 

Read on to find out how to remove the dust from your charging point. 

What Happens if Dust Gets in Your Charging Port?

Dust can get everywhere, including in your charging port. As a result, the port can become clogged as the debris obstructs the battery and the connectors. So when you insert the charger, the debris stops an excellent electrical connection. As a result, there is no connection, and the power can’t be transferred to the battery.

While it might seem like a small problem, if you’re finding that your phone won’t charge correctly or at all, then this collection of dust could cause a real problem for you. But how do you know if dust is causing this problem or something else?

To determine if dust is the root of your problem, shine a light on your phone's charging port; if you can’t see the contact points, it must be cleaned. Likewise, if you see dust or dirt directly, you must clean it immediately. 

How To Clean Dust Out of a Charging Port

Power Off Your Phone 

The first step is to power down your phone and remove the case. When cleaning an electrical item, you must keep yourself safe, so it’s always best to turn your device off as a precautionary method. Keeping your phone turned off is also an excellent way to avoid pressing buttons on touch screens or accidentally calling someone while cleaning.

Use Compressed Air 

Compressed air is the best method for getting dust out of the charging point. It avoids sticking anything in the charging area that shouldn’t be, which could damage the connectors. Use a compressed air can to blow out dust and clear the obstacle. 

Clean With a Toothpick

Look at the charging point. If there’s still compacted dust in the area, use a toothpick with a cotton end and insert it into the port. Remove the compacted dust. The cotton end helps to remove the debris without damaging the port.

Clean Port With Isopropyl Alcohol 

If stubborn dust remains in the port, spray a small amount of isopropyl alcohol onto the cotton end and gently rub at the dirt. Then, blow the compressed air into the port again to shift the last bit of debris.

Turn On Your Phone  

Once you’ve completed the process, turn your phone back on. Plug your charger in and see if your phone charges. If it doesn’t, then it’s essential to check the cable. If changing the cable doesn’t work, and you’re wondering why it’s not charging, the problem may be with the phone. 

What Not To Use When Cleaning Your Charging Port

While dust is a cause of allergies, you mustn’t put anything in the charging port that should not be there during the cleaning process. Some items include: 

• Metal: Anything from pins to paperclips. It might be tempting to use these household items, but you risk creating an electrical short circuit due to the metal material. So it’s essential to protect your phone by keeping metal well away.
• Toothbrush: The bristles of the toothbrush are great for getting food out of your teeth but not for dust in your charging port, as they might be too abrasive. 
• Your breath: Blowing into your port may be tempting instead of using compressed air. However, using your breath could cause moisture to enter the charging port, damaging it. So, it’s best to avoid it where possible. 

Final Thoughts

General cleaning is always a wise idea, as phones carry germs, and people spend more time on their devices than ever. However, you must clean your charging ports properly. If you’ve cleaned the port and your charger still doesn’t work, then it might be time for a new cable or charging case—Discover Casely’s range of charging cases and cables today.