Repair guide
Phone Not Charging? Fix the Charging Port (and Water Damage)
Nine times out of ten it's lint in the port or a bad cable. Here's how to fix it in 5 minutes, what to do if it got wet, and when the port needs replacing.
Most "broken" charging ports are just packed with pocket lint, or the cable is dead. Try a different cable and charger, then gently clean the port with a wooden toothpick. That fixes it most of the time. If the phone got wet, don't charge it until it's dry.
- DifficultyEasy (cleaning) · Hard (port replacement)
- Time5–15 minutes
- ModelsAll phones (Lightning and USB-C)
- CostUsually $0
⚠️ Before you poke around
- Power the phone off before cleaning the port.
- No metal. Pins, needles and paper clips scratch contacts and can short the port.
- No liquids, no compressed air blasted deep inside, and no cotton swabs (they leave fibres).
- If your phone feels hot, smells burnt, or the battery is bulging, stop using it and get it checked.
Tools
- Wooden toothpick or a plastic SIM-safe pick
- A flashlight
- A second cable and charger you know work
- Soft brush (a clean, dry toothbrush works)
Step-by-step: fix a phone that won't charge
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Rule out the cable and charger. Try a different cable and a different wall adapter. Cables fail far more often than ports, especially near the connector end.
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Restart the phone. A software glitch can stop charging. Hold the power button (and volume, on newer phones) and restart.
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Look inside the port. Shine a flashlight in. A grey or dark layer at the back is compacted lint. It stops the plug from seating fully, so it only charges at an angle, or not at all.
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Power off, then clean gently. Use the wooden toothpick to scrape along the back wall and sides of the port. Stay off the pins in the middle of a USB-C port. Tip the phone down and tap out the debris. Repeat until nothing comes out.
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Test the fit. Plug in. A clean port gives a firm click and the cable doesn't wiggle out. Try charging again.
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Check charging settings. On iPhone, Optimized or 80% Limit charging can pause at 80% on purpose. On Android, "Protect battery" does the same. That's normal, not a fault.
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Try wireless charging. If wireless works but the cable doesn't, the battery is fine and the port is the problem.
"Liquid detected" or the phone got wet
iPhones show "Liquid Detected in Lightning Connector" (or USB-C connector). Samsung shows "Moisture detected". The phone blocks cable charging to protect itself. Don't override it.
- Unplug everything. Don't charge it, even if it offers an emergency override.
- Tap out the water. Hold the phone with the port facing down and tap it gently against your hand.
- Let it air dry. Leave it somewhere dry with some airflow, port down. Wait at least 30 minutes, then try again. If the warning comes back, give it up to a day.
- Skip the rice. Apple specifically says not to use rice. It doesn't pull water out, and the dust can get into the port.
- No heat. No hair dryer, no oven, no radiator. Heat damages the battery and screen.
- Use wireless meanwhile. Wireless charging is usually still allowed if the phone is dry on the outside.
If the phone was in salt water, a pool, or a drink, or it got wet and now won't turn on, get it to a technician fast. Corrosion keeps spreading after it dries.
When to go to a pro
- The port is clean but still won't charge with known-good cables
- The pins look bent, burnt or green (corrosion)
- It charges only on wireless
- The phone was submerged and is acting strange
On many Samsung Galaxy phones the USB-C port sits on a small separate board, so replacing it is a fairly routine repair. On iPhones the port is part of a flex cable buried deep inside, which is a more involved job.
Stop it happening again
- Use a case with a port cover if you work somewhere dusty.
- Pull the cable by the plug, not the wire.
- Replace frayed cables right away. Get a certified cable.
- Read which charger your phone actually needs.
Port or phone?
If the port is fried and the phone is old, compare the repair quote with a refurbished upgrade. A refurbished iPhone 14 starts at $331.99 and a Galaxy S23 at $269.99.
FAQ
Why is my phone plugged in but not charging?
Usually lint in the port, a damaged cable, or a weak charger. Less often it's a software glitch, a charging limit setting, moisture detection, or a damaged port.
How do I clean my charging port safely?
Power off, then gently scrape out lint with a wooden toothpick, avoiding the pins. Tap the debris out. Don't use metal, liquids or cotton swabs.
Should I put a wet phone in rice?
No. Apple advises against it. Tap out the water with the port facing down and let it air dry for at least 30 minutes, up to a day.
How much does a charging port repair cost?
It depends on the model. Ports on separate boards (many Galaxy phones) are cheaper to replace than iPhone ports. Ask us for a quote.
Rather not open it up yourself?
Mail it to our technicians from anywhere in Canada. Exact price upfront, free insured shipping label, warranty on the repair.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the iPhone 14 pre-owned from $331.99, tested by real technicians with a 1-year warranty and 30-day returns.