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 EMT-701,

    EMT-701 EMT-701 May 22, 2016 4:32 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 22, 2016 4:32 AM in response to TnD1w

    My phones charging cable started to not connect well. The cable sat loose in the charging port, and it was a struggle to make the phone charge. After doing some reading, I came to the conclusion cleaning it couldn't hurt. Power down the phone and get yourself a sturdy toothpick and a GUM cleaner for flossing in between your teeth. I have found the best application to start with the toothpick. This will help clean any gunk and loosen up the debris inside. Shine a flashlight inside and you will be able to see all the debris. Use the the toothpick a few times and blow it out with your breath. Finish up the cleaning with the GUM cleaner, you will be surprised the amount of dust/lint that will be removed. The small GUM brush also helps clean the contacts inside. Once done my phone connector made a solid connection once again and was no longer loose even the tiniest bit!

     

    This is also a fantastic way to clean your head phone jack connector and speaker/mic ports!

  • by cerberusuk,

    cerberusuk cerberusuk May 27, 2016 3:04 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    May 27, 2016 3:04 AM in response to TnD1w

    WOW thank you SO much :-)

     

    I didn't need to go to the same lengths as you but surely enough I needed to clean out my port - Did it using a hair grip and was AMAZED by how much lint came out. Nice sung fit now - This happened to my iPhone 6S after only a couple of months!

     

    Thanks Scott

  • by davosanchez,

    davosanchez davosanchez Jun 19, 2016 10:26 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 19, 2016 10:26 AM in response to TnD1w

    Yeap everyone was correct on this post. Get a paper clip  and one of those cleaning cloth, and dig in. You will be impressed at the amount of flint that came out. Now charging port works like a charm !!!!

  • by patours,

    patours patours Jun 20, 2016 9:59 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jun 20, 2016 9:59 AM in response to TnD1w

    Work for me too! Toothpick solution!

  • by swaroop933,

    swaroop933 swaroop933 Jun 29, 2016 3:47 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 29, 2016 3:47 AM in response to TnD1w

    It worked. It worked like a charm. Now I don't have to buy another phone for at least an year

     

    Greets.

    Satya

  • by Robby Ninefingers,

    Robby Ninefingers Robby Ninefingers Jul 16, 2016 5:25 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Jul 16, 2016 5:25 AM in response to TnD1w

    Many thanks for posting this - worked a charm! I've had the same problem for a few weeks and despite having used a fine brush to clean out the charger socket - and despite not being able to see any dirt in there - I got a toothpick and started to gently scrape away.  Genuinely amazed at how much lint I've managed to extract!!!! Just plugged in and got perfect contact again.  Looked at other fixes which tended to suggest replacement part but so glad I found this solution.

  • by Rob_Vianna,

    Rob_Vianna Rob_Vianna Aug 2, 2016 4:44 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Aug 2, 2016 4:44 AM in response to TnD1w

    I must say I was a bit skeptical about this solution. My Iphone 5S was showing the same charging problems described here for several months. Very annoying, I had to leave it quite still for a complete charge, sometimes moving the plug left or right to start a charge. I did not believe it was a dirt problem, but what the hack, let´s give it a try... I got a small plastic toothpick, sharpened it a little to make it flat and thin and...  an enormous amount of lint and dirt came out of the port! Cleaned after several minutes of delicate work, a bit of contact cleaner spray, all is well and working. The lightning port is redeemed to me!

  • by brischloss,

    brischloss brischloss Sep 2, 2016 7:44 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 2, 2016 7:44 PM in response to TnD1w

    I'm on my second iPhone... the first one (a 4S) I used for years in pretty dirty conditions (working outside and in construction) and never had such an issue.  Of course, the 4S doesn't use a lightning connector, so that might be the difference.  My new phone, a iPhone SE, I've only had for about 3 months and I have a protective case that covers the lightning connector when it is not on the charger, so I was doubtful this could be a useful solution for me.  I didn't get any lint out by digging around, it was pretty clean in there.  However, by just blowing into the port a couple of times, I must have dislodged some tiny amounts of dust because the phone charges again!

     

    Thank you so much for sharing this solution.  I will never assume just because my phone is new and encased that it is not vulnerable to dust.

  • by bl182,

    bl182 bl182 Sep 7, 2016 6:01 AM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPhone
    Sep 7, 2016 6:01 AM in response to TnD1w

    Had the same problem, tried this tip and now working as should. Thanks a million.

  • by EnjoyMyPaycheckApple,

    EnjoyMyPaycheckApple EnjoyMyPaycheckApple Sep 7, 2016 1:33 PM in response to TnD1w
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 7, 2016 1:33 PM in response to TnD1w

    Brilliant suggestion. The reply that suggested cleaning in the corners behind the side clips was the winner for me.  I did the toothpick and electrical contact cleaner first, and thought I was done, but the charger was still finicky.  I tried a pin and found a little ball of lint on the left side.  So far it's working great!

     

    Now...anyone have a fix for touch disease??

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