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 WDI,

    WDI WDI Feb 10, 2015 5:15 PM in response to TnD1w
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    Feb 10, 2015 5:15 PM in response to TnD1w

    Same problem described in the first post, intermittent connections, and this morning I woke up to find my phone not charged. I used a toothpick and pulled a large amount of lint out of the lightning port. Connection works solid again.

     

    Somebody should start selling a lightning port cap that stops lint getting in. Looking at what they charge for accessories they could probably sell it for like $15, sadly!

  • by mlajoie81,

    mlajoie81 mlajoie81 Mar 4, 2015 8:59 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 4, 2015 8:59 AM in response to TnD1w

    Thanks a lot!

    Fixed the issue, I would never thought about this myself!!

  • by brandonu22,

    brandonu22 brandonu22 Mar 16, 2015 5:01 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 16, 2015 5:01 PM in response to TnD1w

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS! oh my god I thought I was going to die without my ipod and after a few minutes of deep cleaning with a toothpick it works! THANK YOU SO MUCH

  • by mrsoul51,

    mrsoul51 mrsoul51 Mar 24, 2015 5:13 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Mar 24, 2015 5:13 AM in response to TnD1w

    I advise against any metal probe because of possible damage, but the toothpick worked well. Depending on the type of toothpick, it may help to snip off the very tip on one end to provide a more blunt "scraper." Amazing how much lint and other crap was in there. I'd tried canned air but that stuff really gets packed in there And air alone didn't do much. Probably a good reason to not carry the iPhone in your pocket or to get a case with a port cover. Kind of reminds me of the early Mac days when you could fix many ailments with a paperclip.

  • by MAXWELL2112,

    MAXWELL2112 MAXWELL2112 Mar 31, 2015 3:38 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 31, 2015 3:38 PM in response to TnD1w

    This thread just made me a very happy man!!!!!!!!!THANK YOU!

  • by Nhan_SanJose,

    Nhan_SanJose Nhan_SanJose Apr 2, 2015 9:05 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 2, 2015 9:05 PM in response to TnD1w

    I had exactly the same issue as bought an used iphone 5S from someone. I was about having it fixed for 50 bucks but the repair guy kept changed the appointment due to he is so busy. But after reading your message, I decided to do the same but i cleaned with a super small needle and took out a lot of fiber or black cotton. It worked nice after cleaning. I don't have to wiggle or hold the cable anymore. Thanks a lot

  • by MasterBlast3r,

    MasterBlast3r MasterBlast3r Apr 10, 2015 7:17 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 10, 2015 7:17 PM in response to TnD1w

    The big thing for me was the lint trapped inside!

     

    The connector would not go in far enough.

     

    I cleaned it with alcohol and such but made a big lint ball in there that made padding! Safety Pin removed that lint.

     

    Works like new!

  • by RyLH87,

    RyLH87 RyLH87 Apr 11, 2015 6:22 AM in response to TnD1w
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    Apr 11, 2015 6:22 AM in response to TnD1w

    The problem is definitely due to a build up of dust and fluff in the charging port. I just cleaned it out with a very small brush. Actually quite astonished at how much had built up in there. I could see it all falling out. After a few minutes of brushing the cable connected perfectly. Easy! And to think I was going to take it into O2 for repair, which would have meant I would likely have been without my I phone for at least a week, if not longer!

  • by asishfromsanantonio,

    asishfromsanantonio asishfromsanantonio Apr 25, 2015 9:54 AM in response to TnD1w
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    Apr 25, 2015 9:54 AM in response to TnD1w

    Many Thinks. It worked.. I used a Safety pin to clean .. Did not imagine how much debris and dust was there..

  • by kerfuffler,

    kerfuffler kerfuffler Apr 28, 2015 5:44 AM in response to TnD1w
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    Apr 28, 2015 5:44 AM in response to TnD1w

    Thanks for the tip! I was getting so frustrated that Apples new super-reliable lightning cable had stopped working in about 13 months, after reading this thread I got a paper clip, twiddled that around and dislodged sooo much fluff and dust!!!

  • by clifffromvashon,

    clifffromvashon clifffromvashon Apr 30, 2015 8:27 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 30, 2015 8:27 AM in response to TnD1w

    It did fix the charging problem on my phone, but messed up my display. Might want to try compressed air instead.

  • by JustinHoMi,

    JustinHoMi JustinHoMi May 1, 2015 5:32 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 1, 2015 5:32 PM in response to TnD1w

    Thanks for posting this. I was just about to order a new charging port when I accidentally came across your post. I just blew it out with compressed air and cleaned it with alcohol and it seems to be perfect now.

  • by acdoctorswfl,

    acdoctorswfl acdoctorswfl May 3, 2015 9:09 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 3, 2015 9:09 AM in response to TnD1w

    I thought my iphone 5 was damaged due to the charging issue. This solved the issue. Thank you!

  • by kjsteverson,

    kjsteverson kjsteverson May 4, 2015 4:30 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 4, 2015 4:30 AM in response to TnD1w

    Thank you. I had the same problem and just blowing dust, using an air can or vacuum suction was not working. I used a toothpick, thumbtack, twist tie from bread bag and paperclip. The tack worked the best. I was shocked at how much crap was packed into that tiny slot. I will look for a phone case with that flap to cover the charging port.

  • by thalaxlovee,

    thalaxlovee thalaxlovee May 8, 2015 9:34 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 8, 2015 9:34 PM in response to TnD1w

    What should I do if my phone doesn't charge AT ALL?

    • I've tried five different cords, three different outlets(one at a business and two at home), I used my laptop, I used the USB port on my alarm clock.
    • I've tried genuine Apple cords and charging cubes and also non-Apple ones. Nothing. No matter what, all I get is the screen telling me I need to plug it in.
    • I left it plugged in for almost two hours. And it's plugged in now. Still nothing.
    • Numerous times for up to a minute I held the home button and lock screen to try to reset the phone, still nothing.
    • I think it's the charging port. I checked it out and I don't see any lint or anything, and I don't have that spray. I tried using a clean makeup brush to take any debris out, I've blown into the charging port as hard as I could, still nothing.

    What should I do? My phone has my schedule on it and all my phone numbers. Unfortunately I have let technology take over my life so I don't have any of these things saved anywhere else.

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