Symptoms
- Cable feels loose or doesn't click/snap in
- Charging is intermittent
- Visible fuzz when shining a light into the port
Likely causes
- CommonPocket lint compacted over timeCarrying a phone in pockets with fabric lint is the leading cause of port blockage.
What to do
- Power off the phone before cleaning to avoid shorting anything.
- Shine a flashlight into the port to see how much lint is packed in.
- Use a wooden toothpick or a plastic SIM eject tool to gently scrape lint out — never metal objects.
- Follow up with a few short bursts of compressed air held at a slight angle, not straight in.
- Try charging again once the port looks clear.
- If the phone still won't charge after cleaning, the issue may be the cable, adapter, or port hardware.
Tools and parts
- Flashlight
- Wooden toothpick
- Compressed air
When to call a pro
If lint keeps coming back or cleaning doesn't restore charging, a repair shop has tools to clean deeper without damaging the port pins.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.