How To Clean A Micro USB Port
If your USB port is filled with dust but doesn't have anything else stuck in it. In this article, we explain how to carefully clean a Micro USB Port
Author:Daniel BarrettMay 30, 20225103 Shares728966 Views
In this article, we explain how to carefully clean a Micro USB Port
Most problems with USB devices occur because of a broken device or a software problem. You can usually fix USB device problems by rebooting, reconnecting the device or updating either the drivers or Windows. If no USB devices work in a particular port, the port may have a bad connection caused by dirt and dust.
USB-C ports — especially USB-C ports on smartphones— are constantly at risk of getting filled with dust, dirt, and other debris.
Imagine this: one day, you get home from a long day and your phone battery is pretty much dead, you go to plug it in, and to your horror, nothing happens, your phone won’t charge! If you want to be prepared in case something like this ever happens, or if you are actually experiencing this right now, then this guide can help.
For safety, turn off your computer and unplug it before cleaning the ports.
How To Clean A Micro USB Port With Compressed Air
If your USB port is filled with dust but doesn’t have anything else stuck in it, clean it using a can of compressed air.
- Give the compressed air can a quick test spray to make sure that no liquid comes out.
- Do not shake the can. This will put the contents under more pressure, which can liquefy the compressed air.
Before starting, pull out any large dust balls with your fingers or tweezers. When spraying air, keep the can upright to prevent it from leaking liquid. Most USB ports do not open into your computer case, so you don’t need to worry about blowing dust onto other components. Spraying air into a port can potentially compress dust further inside the port, however, so aim the nozzle at an angle to avoid making the problem worse.
How to clean a USB C port
A toothpick or plastic dental pick can easily pull debris out of the USB-C port.
Carefully insert the thinned toothpick or dental pick in the port and use it to snag and pull out debris on both sides of the central electrical contact in the middle of the port. Work carefully and be sure you don’t bend or damage the electrical connection.
Finish by blowing compressed air into the port one more time to eject any debris you loosened with the toothpick or dental pick.
How To Clean A Micro USB Port With Isopropyl Alcohol
Wet a cotton swab with isopropyl alcohol and insert it into a USB port to clean out stubborn dust and sticky messes. Wipe all around the inside of the port, including on the contacts. Any common concentration of isopropyl alcohol, such as 70 percent, 91 percent or 99 percent, will work safely, but lower concentrations take longer to dry.
Spray a can of compressed air on the USB port to expel any of the loosened debris or dirt from the USB port. This will also help dry the port before you attempt to check if this method works.
Don’t use another cotton swab to dry the port; you might leave cotton debris behind.
Using an Electrical Contact Cleaner
- Take a clean firm-bristled toothbrush and spray some of the electrical contact cleaner onto it. Don’t spray so much that the toothbrush is dripping with the cleaner.
- Scrub the micro/mini USB port with the toothbrush.
- Dry the port thoroughly.
As the electrical contact cleaner is not quick evaporating as the alcohol, it is a good idea to spray with the compressed air, allow a little extra time for the port to dry before you connect it to your smartphone/tablet.
Daniel Barrett
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