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Having an iPhone is great, but when you come across a problem such as charging port being clogged up with gunk, it can be quite frustrating. When your charging port is clogged up, it not only stops the charging process, but it can also damage the device in the long run. In this article, we will be discussing the best ways to clean gunk out of iPhone Charging Port. This article consists of several parts, ranging from the challenge of cleaning gunk out of the port, the things you should prepare, the different methods to clean it, why can’t I clean it, additional tips, and finally, frequently asked questions.
Video Tutorial:
The Challenge of Cleaning Gunk Out Of iPhone Charging Port
The challenge comes when you decide to clean the gunk out of the charging port. When you don’t have the right tools, it can be a daunting challenge. Since the charging port is a sensitive part of the device, cleaning it with anything harmful can put your device at risk. If you put too much force, you risk breaking the charging port. Dirt and debris can clog up the charging port over time and can cause frequent interruption in charging your phone, as such, it’s important to clean the charging port regularly.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before you start cleaning the charging port, there are a couple of things you need to prepare to ensure everything goes well. Below is a list of the things you should prepare before you commence the cleaning process:
– A good light source: you need a good light source to enable you to see the grime and dirt in the charging port, so you can clean it effectively.
– A clean and soft toothbrush: a clean and soft toothbrush is a great tool to clean out the charging port. Make sure it is soft so that it doesn’t scratch the metal surface of the charging port.
– A plastic card: you can use a plastic card to scrape out any dirt or debris that may be wedged in the port. It’s important that you don’t use anything metal as it may damage the device.
– A can of compressed air: this is a must-have as it will help you remove any debris in the charging port. It sends a burst of air to clean out any gunk in the port.
– Wooden toothpick: this is a useful tool as it will help you dig out any stubborn debris or dirt.
Method 1: Cleaning with a Soft Toothbrush
Step 1: Turn off your device and unplug the charging cable from the charging port.
Pros:
– It’s safe and effective.
– It’s affordable.
Cons:
– It’s a bit time-consuming.
Step 2: Gently, use a softer toothbrush – dry or a bit of alcohol to brush the charging port. Try not to use too much force so that you don’t damage the charging port. Make sure you brush all the debris out.
Pros:
– Good for surface dirt and debris removal
– It’s safe and affordable
Cons:
– Alcohol may damage the device so use it moderately.
Step 3: Use a wooden toothpick to dig out any stubborn debris or dirt that the toothbrush couldn’t get out.
Pros:
– Useful if you have stubborn debris.
– Affordable.
Cons:
– It’s not ideal for all types of dirt removal.
Step 4: Use a can of compressed air and spray concentrated bursts of air into the port to remove any dirt or debris that may still be in there.
Pros:
– Effective in removing any stubborn debris.
– It’s safe and affordable.
Cons:
– Not so effective for all debris types.
Step 5: Check the charging port again and if it’s clean, plug in the charger and start charging the device.
Pros:
– After cleaning, the charging port will be more effective.
– It’s a safe and affordable method.
Cons:
– Requires several steps.
Method 2: Cleaning with Plastic Card
Step 1: Unplug your device and switch it off.
Pros:
– It’s safe and effective.
– It’s affordable.
Cons:
– Takes more time
Step 2: Pick up a thin plastic card and insert it into the port. Be sure that you don’t insert it all the way through the charging port.
Pros:
– Affordable and simple.
– Useful if used carefully.
Cons:
– May bend under some circumstances.
Step 3: Slowly scrape the plastic card, working off dirt or debris from the sides of the charging port.
Pros:
– It’s easy to do.
– Useful if done adequately.
Cons:
– The card may break if more power is applied during the process.
Step 4: After cleaning the charging port with the card, use a can of compressed air to clean out any debris remaining in the charging port.
Pros:
– It’s effective in removing remaining debris.
– It’s affordable.
Cons:
– Need to be careful with removing debris.
Step 5: Check the charging port to ensure it’s clean. If it is, you can plug in your charger and start charging your iPhone.
Pros:
– It’s safe and affordable.
– It avoids damaging the device.
Cons:
– The process may take time.
Method 3: Using a Toothpick
Step 1: Turn off your device and unplug the charging cable from the charging port.
Pros:
– It’s safe and effective.
– It doesn’t require much preparation.
Cons:
– Toothpick may damage the device if not used carefully.
Step 2: Pick up a toothpick and dig out the dirt or debris from the sides of the charging port.
Pros:
– Toothpick is useful in picking out debris.
– It’s simple and affordable.
Cons:
– Can damage the charging port if not used carefully.
Step 3: Use a can of compressed air to blow out any remaining debris or dirt in the charging port.
Pros:
– It’s effective.
– It’s affordable.
Cons:
– Not suitable for all debris types.
Step 4: Check the charging port to make sure it’s clean. If it is, you can plug in your charger and start charging the device.
Pros:
– It’s safe and affordable.
– It avoids damaging the device.
Cons:
– Risky if an inappropriate toothpick is used.
Why Can’t I Clean The iPhone Charging Port?
If you can’t clean the iPhone charging port, there might be a couple of reasons why this may be happening, including:
Q1: Why is the port still not charging even after cleaning the charging port?
A: If your iPhone is still not charging, it might be that the issue is beyond the charging port. It could be a problem with the charging cord or the battery itself.
Q2: Have you tried cleaning the charging port with a toothpick?
A: If you have tried cleaning the charging port with a toothpick and it’s not working, you can opt for other cleaning methods mentioned above.
Q3: What if I can’t see the debris in the charging port?
A: If you can’t see the debris in the charging port, try looking into the port from different angles using different sources of light. You can also use a magnifying glass to help you see the debris more clearly.
Q4: Can I use water to clean the charging port?
A: No, using water to clean the charging port can damage the device.
Additional Tips
– Do not use any metal objects to clean the charging port as they can damage the charging port
– Do not use too much force to clean the charging port as this can cause damage.
– Do not use any liquid cleaner to clean your charging port as it can damage the device.
– Always clean your charging port frequently to avoid any long term damage.
5 FAQs about Cleaning Gunk Out Of iPhone Charging Port
Q1: How often should I clean the charging port?
A: You should clean your charging port every week.
Q2: What happens if I clean the charging port too roughly?
A: If you clean the charging port too roughly, you risk damaging the charging port.
Q3: Why is my iPhone still not charging even after cleaning the charging port?
A: If your iPhone is still not charging, it might be that the issue is beyond the charging port. It could be a problem with the charging cord or the battery itself.
Q4: Can I use cotton swabs to clean the charging port?
A: No, cotton swabs can leave fibers behind which can harm your device.
Q5: How long does it take to clean the charging port?
A: It takes roughly 5 – 10 minutes to clean the charging port.
In Conclusion
Cleaning the gunk out of your iPhone Charging Port is an important maintenance exercise. It ensures that your device is functioning properly and helps you to avoid any long term damage. Although it may be frustrating to learn that your device has a clogged charging port, with the methods discussed above, you can fix the issue in no time and without causing any damage to your device.