How to Clean USB Ports on Your Computer - Online Tech Tips

After a while of use, every computer gets dusty. It might clean the top and sides of your device, but does it get into the USB ports? Not cleaning your USB ports can lead to bad USB connections and even delete ports.

The good news is that USB ports are easy to clean. It only takes a few minutes and you should do it at least once a month (or maybe more often if you have animals that shed a lot).

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How to clean USB ports on your computer

Although there are specialized tools to clean your computer's USB ports, you don't have to use them. There are many ways to clean them using a few basic items that you probably already have around your house.

What you need:

• tweezers
• toothpick
• Q-tips or cotton swabs
• lint-free cloths
• compressed air
• isopropyl alcohol

Start with tweezers

The first step in cleaning any USB port, be it USB-C , USB-A, or even the often-forgotten USB-B, is to turn off your computer or laptop. If it's a laptop and you have the option, remove the battery.

The next step is to take a pair of tweezers and remove any large debris that is visible to the naked eye. This can include dust particles, pet hair and even food scraps. If a USB device breaks off in the connector, remove any remaining parts. Be careful not to scratch the contacts with the tweezers. Rubber-tipped pliers are preferable to traditional pliers.

Use compressed air

You can buy a can of compressed air at almost any supermarket or large department store. You can even get full cases from Amazon if needed. Cans contain a long, narrow tube through which air flows. Use this nozzle to direct air to the USB port.

Keep the coil tilted to prevent condensation from seeping into the connector. You should also try to blow at an angle, entering the opening from the sides rather than straight ahead, to prevent debris from going deeper into the openings. This will remove a lot of dust and dirt and loosen anything that might be stuck deeper in the port.

Use a cotton swab

For standard USB-A connectors, a cotton swab or swab can remove any residue left by compressed air. Soak it in some rubbing alcohol before using it. Any standard concentration will work, but remember that higher concentrations of alcohol dry faster and you should wait until the port is completely dry before turning the computer back on.

Isopropyl alcohol breaks down oils and dirt buildup on the connector, especially those that come in contact with skin. This will clean the port and ensure a better connection without the risk of water damage. If you need to dry the connector faster, use a lint-free cloth rather than another cotton swab. This could leave bits of cotton behind.

As an alternative to alcohol, you can use contact cleaner (available at most electronics stores) to clean.

How to clean the USB-C or Lightning port on your Android or iPhone

The steps above work well for cleaning ports on most Windows computers and laptops , but they don't work as well for mobile devices. The main reason is that phones use very narrow USB-C or Lightning connectors and a cotton swab doesn't fit in. This also applies to most modern Macbooks.

There is an easier solution that comes in the form of an everyday toothpick.

How to clean your devices with a toothpick

A toothpick is an easy way to clean your mobile device's charging port. The phone stops charging or working because the connector is full of dirt and lint. A toothpick can catch and pull out this stuffed animal.

If you've ever brought your phone in for service, you may find that one of the first troubleshooting steps Apple technicians take is to check for clean USB ports. If you find dirt inside, use a plastic hook that works like a toothpick.

Be careful not to break the stick afterwards or insert it into the contacts, otherwise you could do more harm than good.

use a toothbrush

Another alternative is to use a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush. By gently brushing the USB ports, you can remove the dirt inside without risk of damage. Electronic dusters (like a household duster but on a smaller scale) can serve the same purpose.

You can buy an electronics cleaning kit for next to nothing on Amazon that will provide you with all the cleaning tools you could possibly need for your computer or phone.

use a vacuum cleaner

Using a dedicated electronic vacuum is the safest option for cleaning a USB port. These small, portable devices provide enough suction power to remove dirt and debris from your device without risk of damage. It's the best option overall, but it's low on this list because it's less common than other consumables.

Whether your USB cable isn't being recognized or you just have a bad connection that Device Manager thinks is good , the solution often lies in cleaning it. While you can run routine virus scans to remove all evil from your software, you should also incorporate hardware cleaning into your routine. Just ask yourself: Is the motherboard clean?

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