If any updates are available, click on update or update all. This will take care of a lot of dust and debris and loosen anything that might be stuck deeper in the port. To fix this, try the following: Insert your USB cable and wiggle it. As mentioned earlier, start by shutting down your PC and removing all the connections. iPhone v. Android: Which Is Best For You? Sometimes these ports have pins at their centers that can be easy to break. Choose Shut down and wait for your PC to power Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. In any case, it would be best to test the USB in a properly functioning device to find out if it is still functional after being washed. Without further delay, lets jump right into them. Choose Shut down and wait for your PC to power off. There are dust plugs for all types of ports, including USB-C, Lightning, and even headphone jacks. Before making a decision on which service provider to use, its always a good idea to read reviews, compare prices, and ask for a free or discounted initial quote. Spray the remaining dirt free with more compressed air. Check for loose or broken internal connections. How to clean your iPhone's charging port 1. Hold the bottom end with your thumb and press the other end using the index finger to pluck out fine particles stuck inside the USB ports. If the port or charging cable has debris inside, gently tap it against your hand, port down, to remove. Step 3. 2. These ports are constantly exposed to dust, lint, and dirt that can permanently damage your phone or reduce charging performance. Talking about the standard USB A and B ports (gen 1 & 2), they have a 4-pin configuration. Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. While the compressed air blows off the dust, portable vacuum cleaners (meant for cleaning PC components) suck in all the dirt particles from the USB ports. First, try switching power outlets or even plugging the charger into a different device. WebDebris build-up in the USB port Your car can get dirty over time. Poor quality chargers, frayed or tangled cables, or improper handling can all cause damage to the charging port and make it not work correctly. Tap Storage. Noting the pins is important as there may be extra dirt stuck around them. Try plugging in a different USB device. Keep your phone's USB-C port free of dust and lint with these cheap and stylish port covers. If the port is still clogged after brushing, try using a can of compressed air or a vacuum cleaner with a small nozzle attachment to suck out any remaining dirt. Helpful tech how-tos delivered to your inbox every week! Thats the beauty and simplicity of USB, or universal serial bus, which is designed to allow devices to be connected and disconnected at will, often to both Windows and Mac computers, without a whole lot of hassle. Compressed air will loosen dust and blow out dirt without you needing to insert 3. As for the toothbrush, it might leave plastic bristles in your phone. Water has the potential to corrode the electrical components inside a USB and if water enters into the device, it can cause a short circuit or even cause permanent damage to the hardware. Water can also damage delicate components and circuits, as well as interfere with the data transfer abilities of your USB. Try These 8 Fixes, How to Fix Printer Alignment (All Brands), Fix: Ryzen Master Driver Not Installed Properly, Cookie Clicker Garden Guide to Unlocking Every Seed, Computer Turns On But Monitor Says No Signal (9 Ways To Fix), Tweezers to pull out hairs and food crumbles, Do not insert fingers and nails inside the USB ports, Toothpicks, cotton buds, or microfiber swaps to remove dust and grime, Avoid large-sized brushes with hard bristles, Blast short bursts of compressed air with a nozzle, Avoid any compressed air cans with more than 30 psi pressure and do not invert when using it, Apply Isopropyl alcohols (up to 99%) in cotton buds and microfiber swabs to remove tough stains, Do not apply Isopropyl alcohol directly to the USB ports, A portable vacuum cleaner (meant for cleaning PC components) is only recommended as this is much more favorable than blowing away the dust, Do not use a vacuum cleaner with high-suction power to suck in dirt, Use a bright source of light to inspect USB ports, Turn off the PC and remove power connections before cleaning, Use a silicon air blower as an alternative to compressed air, Do not blow air from your mouth to dust off particles, Clean in the same direction to avoid scratches, Avoid rough cleaning and applying too much pressure. If the multimeter measures zero voltage, then your charging port is likely fried and needs to be replaced. Do not put anything into them. Step 4. It depends on the amount of liquid that was spilled and the materials that the USB port was made out of. If you do not have a dedicated cleaning brush, its completely fine. Then, start your computer and plug in a USB peripheral on the port youre trying to test. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek. There are many free programs that you can use to do this. Note: We recommend getting a torch or bright source of light so that you can identify how dirty your USB ports are. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, How to Remove Scratches from a Phone Screen, What To Do If Your Phone or SIM Card is Cloned. WebJust a side note, something bad WOULD happen. An alternative to compressed air is a silicon air blower. Dirt and debris are the most common thing to blame for messing up a charging port. (Also, dont blow in your phone with your mouth. Locate the two-pin holders that serve as support. But lets be honest, you dont really want to clean a charging port every few weeks. Important: Be careful. Then set it on a flat surface to dry at room temperature. However, this is completely wrong. % of people told us that this article helped them. Gather your materials. These are non-abrasive materials and will not cause any scratches inside the USB ports. Use a very small amount of rubbing alcohol on the pad if necessary. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. A good indicator that something is stuck is if the cable doesn't It wouldn't blow up or something, but you are basically running electrolysis this way, unintentionally. His growing curiosity led him to undertake the Computer Science & Information Technology degree and is just a year away from graduation. There are two ways this will work. Assemble all the tools we had discussed earlier and follow the below guide: After cleaning the ports, the final step is to test whether they are working fine. There are already specialized cleaning kits available in the market. If it's harder to insert your charging cable into the port, the cable pops out, or charging is taking longer than usual, it's likely that dust and/or other debris has made its way inside the port. Caution: Pulling out any USB parts from a port can accidentally break the power pins and cause permanent damage. This feature could prevent your device from overheating or could help protect against a possible short circuit (provided that you take action when prompted). What I did was, perfectly clean the G7 USB port with Electronic Contact Cleaner, and buy a brand new USB-C cable. If you see anything stuck inside, shut your computer down and gently remove the obstruction with a thin plastic or wooden implement like a toothpick. It looks like Google has gone ahead and baked the feature into stock Android with Android 10. These cans come with thin straws that attaches to their nozzles, making it easy to spray controlled bursts into small spaces. On the other hand, youll find nine pins inside the newer generations (USB 3 and higher). If the port still feels crunchy when you plug in a cable, you may want to repeat the cleaning process or check that your charging cable isnt dirty. Disconnect the charging cable from your phone. Most phone and tablet cases leave USB-C charging ports exposed for ease of use, but you can opt for one that doesn't. Debris or grime can block the port and prevent a proper connection between the computer and the plug. 2. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. As such, it is important to take steps to protect your USB and other devices from water damage. If it's difficult to insert a cable into your USB-C charging port, or if your device isn't charging, the port could be dirty. If you get water in a USB, it is likely to damage your device. We tried pouring some water on the USB port of our updated Pixel 2 but were unable to generate a system warning. 1. Heres a detailed step-by-step guide on what you should do: Navigate to the Start menu and click the power icon. You could try a cotton swab, but they are usually too thick to fit inside of a charging port. In the next Along with rags, you should also avoid paper towels and old clothes, especially those having a rough surface. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, 4 Easy Ways to Keep a Clear Case from Turning Yellow, How to Make a Homemade Phone Stand in Less than a Minute, https://appletoolbox.com/how-to-clean-a-usb-c-charging-port-on-your-macbook-ipad-or-phone/. Debris or grime can block the port and prevent a proper connection between the computer and the plug. This may leave a little residue on the port over time, but you can easily clean it off with isopropyl alcohol and cotton. Unplug any device connected to the USB port, and turn off the power to the device and/or computer. If the compressed air is not available, you can use a vacuum cleaner that has a small extendable attachment to gently suck the debris out of the USB port. Important: Be careful. Unwanted files can cause your USB to run slower, so make sure that you delete any files or folders that you no longer need. 6. It's also possible that there's a connection problem with all of the USB ports on the front or the back, which is why it's important to try more than one on both sides. Don't blow into the port with your mouth to loosen the gunk you remove with the dental pickthis could introduce excess moisture into the port and damage the internal components. If your other device works just fine, then youll know that your ports are in good working order. Wrap a small amount of cotton around the end of a toothpick. Do not invert or shake the can when applying it to the USB ports or other components. Heres a detailed step-by-step guide on what you should do: Navigate to the Start menu and click the power icon. Resetting the SMC for iMac, Mac Pro,and Mac Mini, How to Fix a USB Wi-Fi Adapter That Keeps Disconnecting, How To Fix Windows 11 Black Screen Issues, How to Fix It When Bluetooth Headphones Keep Cutting Out in Windows 11, How to Fix It When a Windows 10 Microphone is Not Working, How to Fix It When a PS5 Controller Won't Connect, What to Do When Your iPhone Won't Connect to Your Computer. Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day. The first feature will disable the USB port on your phone if it detects liquid or debris. If it briefly connects and disconnects, then there is a physical problem with either the cable or the USB port. Blown fuse. You can check to see if your charging port is ruined by first checking for debris that could be blocking the port. If youre cleaning the USB-C, they are way smaller but have a 24-pin configuration. 4. Blow compressed air into the charger port in 1 to 2-second bursts. Position the straw to the left or right side of the charging port. Press down Plug your device into a different computer. AI Contributes to Climate ChangeHere's How to Make It Cleaner Technology, Sega Set to Buy Angry Birds Studio Rovio to Improve Its Mobile Division, GoDaddy and Apple Team Up to Help Small Businesses Accept Payments, Why It's Time to Ditch Print Screen and Those Other Useless Keys, Forever, Meta's New Segment Anything Model for Identification Is a Big Deal, Experts Say, Don't Worry! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'remodelormove_com-box-3','ezslot_4',173,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-box-3-0');If you need to remove water or debris from a USB port, the best way is to use a can of compressed air to blow out the port. Instead, opt for direct sunlight or a bright source of light. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. There are two things you can do with the device manager in Windows to get USB ports working again. You are using an out of date browser. Blowing a quick stream of air to dust off particles is something weve all tried. Generally speaking, USB ports can take several hours to dry, especially if they have multiple small crevices and channels that the liquid could have travelled into, as well as the type of liquid spilled (oil-based or water-based). Below is a table summarizing all the points we will discuss ahead. If your device starts working when plugged into different ports, then the first port probably has a physical problem that needs to be fixed. Click Updates on the toolbar. This article was written by Mitch Harris and by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA. Gather your cleaning materials. Good luck. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Charging ports are incredibly vulnerable to dust, dirt, and grime. However, you wouldnt want to waste your money just on the USB ports. Expert Interview. Just like any other electronic device, excess heat can damage the drives circuitry, meaning its less likely to last as long as intended. USB cable failures are more common than USB port failures, so make sure to swap in a different cable if you have one handy. Consumer Technology Expert. Use a lint-free cloth to gently dry the USB port. USB Port not working in your car: Know the causes. You can wrap a small cotton or a piece of microfiber cloth and gently clean the inner areas of the USB ports. We have seen users insert random pieces of clothing in the PC ports. When the scan to complete and then check your USB device to see if it works. If there is goo or gunk, wrap a small amount of cotton around the end of the dental pick. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University. Which Music Streaming Service Is the Best? These small pieces are easy to find at electronics stores and other retailers. Unplug any device connected to the USB port, and turn off the power to the device and/or computer. Start by spraying the air into the port at an angle. If your phones USB-C port or charging cable heats up too much, or if your phone senses liquid or debris in its USB-C port, youll get a message that says either: Fix "Unplug charger" or "Liquid or debris" message. 2. Wrap a small bit of cotton around your toothpick. The idea is to turn your toothpick into somewhat of a cotton swab, but with less cotton so it What is the Average Lifespan of SSD? Do you leave your device on charge for hours at end? Lastly, leaving a flash drive in too long can also be a risk to the device itself. Then let it sit for a few minutes to cool before you turn it back on. Obviously, Pixel 4a can not detect the presence or not of liquid accurately. We select and review products independently. Another USB safety enhancement built into Android 10 warns users to unplug their devices if the port overheats. Start by backing up your data. Firmware problems. Look closer at your USB ports. How do I get my computer to play sound through my phone? The latter one might be comparatively costly but better for cleaning. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. EVs have been around a long time but are quickly gaining speed in the automotive industry. A crashed computer can lead to lost work, data conflicts, and other sorts of issues that can cause serious headaches for users. I used compressed air incase something got stuck in there. Loose connections/ cable issues. Heres why you need to regularly clean your phones USB-C port, plus some steps to get the job done. Of course, youll still need to clean your phones charging port every once in a while. Dust and lint can build up and prevent a proper connection with the charger, or get into the charging port itself and obstruct the flow of electricity. Weve also seen people inserting their nails inside the ports to remove the crumbles and debris. 1. Whether you want to build your own home theater or just learn more about TVs, displays, projectors, and more, we've got you covered. Eroding the "electrodes" over time. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Release the keys and power button all at the same time. That said, were not going to use the patented isopropyl alcohol and toothbrush combination for this job. It is sometimes all that is required to fix the problem. Mitch Harris. While its completely safe to use Isopropyl Alcohol, you should never apply it directly. The ports connector may be tarnished or bent and in need of repair or replacement. Detailed Guide, 10 Best 850W PSUs for Gaming in 2023 [All Budgets], Hard Drive Full for No Reason? PCs and laptops also often have their own quality control mechanisms in place which may prevent the flash drive from working correctly after a certain period of time. You can directly apply this product to your USB port and the active properties will remove all the dust and grime in no time. I cleared the USB apps cache as mentioned on Samsung's site. Let your phone sit for a few minutes to cool. Multiple users in the past have complained about random moisture detection notifications on devices like the LG G6, LG V30, Galaxy S7 Edge, and others. Also, if you have a similar brush in the figure above, youre good to go! If you apply too much pressure, you may break or bend them. By far, this seems to be the best option as it keeps the components neat, without any fear of damage. Also, the bristles can come off and get stuck inside, making them hard to remove. If it's difficult to get the remaining dirt out of the port, you could try wrapping double-sided tape around the end of a sewing or a syringe needle and gently nudging it free. A small cleaning brush is another useful tool to clean the tough areas of your USB port. But only a few of us are aware of the right tools required for this purpose. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[728,90],'remodelormove_com-netboard-2','ezslot_34',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-remodelormove_com-netboard-2-0');This can be particularly troublesome depending on the type of tasks the computer is doing. Depending on the USB type, there are a certain number of pins. This will help to ensure your USB is up-to-date and running efficiently. When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. If you have another computer or laptop handy, then try plugging your USB device into it. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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