Life

3 Tips For Fixing A Phone Charger That Isn’t Working

Phone chargers are our connection to the digital world. Without a working charger, we’re running on borrowed (cellular) time. So what happens when your phone charger stops working? Before throwing it out and heading to Apple, try these three hacks for cleaning out your port.

 

Could It Be Dust Or Lint?

 

Your charging port may have too much dust in it, causing your phone to not charge. After rattling around your pocket, your purse or even on the shelf, the chance of dust, lint or any other material making its way into your charging port is all too common. If this is the case, when you plug your charger in, this could prevent a strong electrical connection, immediately stopping any power going towards the battery.

Simply put, if you check both your port and charger before plugging it in each time, you will greatly decrease the chances of any future charging problems. However, if there is a dust problem with your port, simply shine a light into it. If there is dust or lint clearly visible, then it definitely needs a cleaning.

 

Use A Toothpick

 

Easily enough, gently use a toothpick to scrape the inside of the port. This will loosen up any dirt that is stuck in there and when you shake it afterwards, you’ll be surprised as to how much crud will fall out. However, there are two major things to keep in mind if you follow this option.

One, make sure you use the toothpick as gently as possible. You don’t want to bend or scratch anything because if you end up damaging the port, you’ll have to either pay big bucks to have it fixed or replaced. Two, do not, under any circumstances, use anything other than a toothpick when cleaning the port. It will be tempting to use a pin, needle or paperclip because they will fit in the hole better but the metal substance risk a short circuit that could inevitably destroy your entire phone. The wood on the toothpick is also softer than any metal, lower the risk of permanent damage.

 

Use Compressed Air

 

Usually only used by professional phone repairers, compressed air is a useful tool that will easily blow any unwanted substances from your charging port. You can actually buy them in cans at your local hardware store, Walmart or even online. The most popular brand is called Dust-Off, a can of compressed air with a long straw-like nozzle for more powerful and precise air shots.

Using these, you can loosen up the dirt and lint enough to shake out with little to no risk of damage. However, it’s important to note you should not blow into the port with your mouth. Remember when you thought blowing into your Nintendo cartridges would rid the dust and make it work better? Well, that is not the case.

Unlike the compressed air in the can, your mouth is full of water vapour, or spit in simplistic terms, which could damage the electronics within the port. Do not use your mouth to blow the dust out because fixing water damage could hit your wallet pretty hard.

 

If you are not comfortable cleaning the port on your own or if the situation surpasses a dirt problem, there are cell phone repair shops around Ottawa that can service you including Mobile Klinik, Rideau Cell Phone Plus and Cellphone Repairs Ottawa.

 

By Kory Glover

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