How to clean and maintain your USB-C port

Keeping your USB-C port clean ensures reliable charging and extends the lifespan of your Fairphone. Follow this guide to safely remove debris and maintain a stable connection.

What you need before you begin

• A flashlight or bright light source
• A can of compressed air

How to clean your USB-C port

1. Turn off your phone and disconnect all cables.
2. Shine a flashlight into the USB-C port to check for dust, lint, or debris.
3. Hold a can of compressed air upright approximately 15cm away from the port.
4. Spray short bursts of air into the port while tilting your phone to dislodge trapped dirt.
5. Re-inspect the port with your flashlight and test your charging cable.

What to avoid when cleaning

• Metal or sharp objects: Paperclips, needles, or pins can scratch contacts and cause permanent hardware damage.
• Cotton swabs: Cotton fibers easily break off and create further blockages inside the port.
• Forcing cables: Forcing a connector into an obstructed port can bend or break internal pins.

How to protect your USB-C port

• Protect from dust: Use protective dust plugs when storing your phone in pockets or bags.
• Inspect regularly: Check your port every month for lint build-up.
• Keep ports dry: Ensure your phone is completely dry before inserting any cable.
• Use quality accessories: Pair your phone with reliable chargers and cables from our online shop, such as our 30W Charger and USB Long Life Cable.

What to do if charging issues continue

If cleaning your port does not restore charging functionality, your charging cable or USB-C port spare part may need repair or replacement. Contact our Customer Support team to discuss repair options.

Still need help?

First try our self-service portal and then reach out to our customer support team. You can also open a support request directly through the My Fairphone app pre-installed on your device.