I recently tried cleaning the charging port on my Pixel 2 XL with a plastic toothpick since it hasn't been charging well lately. I'm pretty sure the issue isn't the battery or charger, but I suspect it's lint or dust in the port. It looked somewhat dirty, but not overly so, which makes me wonder: how much dust does it really take to interfere with the charging?
5 Answers
It might not even be just dust. USB-C ports can be really fragile, and wear over time can lead to charging problems even without much dust. Regular cleaning can help, but eventually, it might need a professional look.
Honestly, it all comes down to wear and tear over time. Dust plays a part, but the ports can degrade and the cables can wear out, too—especially with USB-C. It's like planned obsolescence, you know?
There isn't a specific amount of dust that universally interferes with charging. It really varies. Different materials and their locations can affect how they impact the port. If you haven't done so already, try cleaning it out more thoroughly with some compressed air and cotton swabs with alcohol—it can make a big difference!
I’ve had good luck using Blu Tack and compressed air for cleaning. I can't guarantee it's foolproof since I'm no expert, but I’ve been doing it for years without any issues. Plus, it gets into those tiny holes pretty well!
You’d be surprised, but it doesn’t take much dust at all! Each time you insert the charger, some dust gets pushed deeper into the port, which can cause it to get packed in. Even about half a millimeter of built-up dust can prevent the charger from fully connecting.
Totally agree! Just be really careful when using the cotton swabs. Sometimes dust can be sneaky and hide where you least expect it.