TnD1w

Q: Iphone 5 lightning port charging problem - SOLUTION!

Just wanted to share a solution to my charging problem.  Very quickly my phone developed a problem where I couldn't get it to charge.  The connector didn't feel sloppy, but if I twisted it to the side, I could get it to make a connection.  However, if I let go or bumped the phone it would immediatly disconnect.  Sometimes it would take a easy dozen tries to get the phone to establish a connection.  Often I'd come back only to find that it had lost the connection and stopped charging.  Took it to the Verizon store and it worked fine on their cords.  Could be the cord, but I have multiple cords stashed in different locations and they all went bad at the same time.  That suggests to me that it's the phone and not the cord.  I tried to fish for some lint in the port and that definetly seems to be part of the problem.  I used a bent paperclip with no ill effects, but I'd be more comfortable with a flat toothpick.  Just stay away from the sides of the port as I don't know how fragile the connection wires are.  In my case, I was going for the bottom of the port.  Reach into the port and try to scrape out any packed in lint from the back of the port.  I'm thinking the lint may prevent the plug from fully seating thus creating a poor connection.  This helped a fair amount, but the connection still needed improvement.  Last night I bought a can of electrical contact cleaner and thought I'd give it a try.  I'd admit that I was a bit nervous to spray this into my phone, but I needed to try something.  Using the included tube, I sprayed a tiny amount of cleaner into the port.  The cleaner will get outside the port, but I don't see any signs of damage to the Belkin case, phone body, screen or disposable screen protector.  While the port was still wet, I grabbed a cord and plugged it in several times hoping to agitate the solution and mechanically clean the connection.  A mini q-tip would work even better.  Instantly I found a signficantly improved connection.  Plug it in and boom, good connection.  First try every time.  No wiggling necessary.  I did this last night at home and I just plugged the phone in at work; again got a good connection.  Now, I only tried this last night, but it certainly looks like the problem is dirt, grime and maybe a touch of corrosion that's causing the problem.  Clean the port out to remove any debris and then apply a quick shot of contact cleaner and you should be good to go!

Posted on Aug 16, 2013 6:52 AM

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Q: Iphone 5 lightning port charging problem - SOLUTION!

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  • by scsmith631,Helpful

    scsmith631 scsmith631 Jan 17, 2014 5:56 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 17, 2014 5:56 AM in response to TnD1w

    After 16 months I too was having issues with the cable and purchased another and still had the same issue.  The cable is a little loose in the connector when it is working and I discovered that moving it to the left or right will show charging or not.  After reading this I cleaned out the port several times and discovered a pile of lint about the size of half a dime in there!  All is well now and I have a spare cable to keep in the car.

  • by Jason Barker,Helpful

    Jason Barker Jason Barker Jan 20, 2014 10:09 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (20 points)
    Jan 20, 2014 10:09 AM in response to TnD1w

    I draped a thin dusting cloth (like that you get for cleaning glasses) over a bent paper clip and used that to clean out the inside of the port..

     

    I was able to see an impressive amount of dust on the cloth after cleaning.

     

    And now there seems to be no delay in charging.

  • by Dr.JJ,Helpful

    Dr.JJ Dr.JJ Jan 24, 2014 7:04 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 24, 2014 7:04 AM in response to TnD1w

    GUM makes floss sticks for cleaning between your teeth. These work great in the lightning port for lint removal. The end is slightly flexible, and soft ridges on the side grab the lint. Solved my charging problem immediately.

  • by GeoFan49,

    GeoFan49 GeoFan49 Feb 2, 2014 2:30 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (43 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 2, 2014 2:30 PM in response to TnD1w

    NOT CHARGING (as soon as the battery icon goes over 98%) possibly caused by dust, lint, or corrosion?

     

    The connector contacts are supposed to be gold plated, gold does not corrode.

     

    Changing the Lightning cable (I have two Apple and three others) sometimes helps, maybe for a few minutes, then goes back to NOT CHARGING. This happens with different chargers, USB ports, or different cables, and is ALWAYS highly intermittent. One day it works, and then on another day it does not work. Apple charger or not, Apple cable or not. Next thing to try: cleaning the connector with contact cleaner?

     

    Look at all the complaints, here and on many other websites. The old DOCK connector would sometimes fail, but the new LIGHTNING connector is even worse.

     

    What is happening with iPhone, iPod, or iPad NOT charging with Lightning cables?

  • by ZXpower,

    ZXpower ZXpower Feb 6, 2014 5:49 AM in response to GeoFan49
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2014 5:49 AM in response to GeoFan49

    Try cleaning lightning connector on device side from dust and lint like described here: http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=17023372&postcount=5. I just did it to mines - and now everything works like charm!

  • by femuchay,

    femuchay femuchay Feb 6, 2014 12:31 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 6, 2014 12:31 PM in response to TnD1w

    Thanks for the info. saved me a bunch

  • by bediddleby,

    bediddleby bediddleby Feb 10, 2014 11:22 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (44 points)
    iPhone
    Feb 10, 2014 11:22 AM in response to TnD1w

    Another "me too" with compressed air. I was about to head to the Genius Bar when I found this post. Sprayed it out and voilá!, good connection.

  • by BilalZafar,

    BilalZafar BilalZafar Mar 9, 2014 8:35 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 9, 2014 8:35 PM in response to TnD1w

    TnD1w you are a good man

    Thanks, it helped.

  • by JAFromCT,

    JAFromCT JAFromCT Mar 15, 2014 8:01 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Mar 15, 2014 8:01 PM in response to TnD1w

    TnD1w, Thank you very much, this worked for me too. Cleaning the port using a toothpick did the trick.

  • by returnix1,

    returnix1 returnix1 Mar 17, 2014 1:56 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 17, 2014 1:56 PM in response to TnD1w

    Thank you so much!!!! it works like a charm

  • by mdcollins1984,

    mdcollins1984 mdcollins1984 Mar 24, 2014 4:03 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 24, 2014 4:03 AM in response to TnD1w

    Thanks - solved.

     

    I had the problem where the cable would not stay in position and didn't connect with the 'click/lock' feel that a new phone always seems to have. I thought something had come loose internally, and was about to try and get a replacement.

     

    Instead, gently using a paperclip has removed about a pocketful of dust and lint from the socket, the satisfying click has returned and all is back to normal.

  • by Gbehling23,

    Gbehling23 Gbehling23 Mar 24, 2014 8:07 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 24, 2014 8:07 AM in response to TnD1w

    I cleaned it out with a toothpick but was still having problems. I figured the connection port of the charger needed cleaned as well so I ripped a small piece if cotton off a q-tip and put some alcohol on it. (Make sure it's enough to clean but not super saturated that it's dripping off) . I stuck it in the charging port and moved it around with the toothpick. I have zero issues now

  • by cranswickrogers,

    cranswickrogers cranswickrogers Mar 27, 2014 3:20 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 27, 2014 3:20 PM in response to TnD1w

    Thank you so much!  After purchasing several cables I was convinced my phone was broken.  Your simple solution with a magnifying glass and a wooden toothpick unearthed clump after clump of tiny lint.  I was shocked.  The phone works perfectly now and I feel so CLEAN.

  • by porlage,

    porlage porlage Mar 29, 2014 5:32 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 29, 2014 5:32 PM in response to TnD1w

    I can't believe I've been messing about with my cable for 3 months and this was the solution. So easy!! I had more lint than I find in my tumbler dryer. Thanks!

  • by Nickyvanzanen,

    Nickyvanzanen Nickyvanzanen Apr 9, 2014 2:13 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2014 2:13 AM in response to TnD1w

    I read this and tried everything except the contact spray.. Sometimes I had to put the charger in my iPhone over a 100 times before it would connect.. I don’t know why but the contact spray gave me the idea to hit the lightning cable with the tip of my tongue and then put it in my iPhone and it worked!!

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