go give business to your local repair shop.
Grieve with me
Submitted 16 hours ago by Stamets@lemmy.world to [deleted]
https://lemmy.world/pictrs/image/27e8550a-17a6-4ebb-82fc-e2310626b7e8.jpeg
Comments
A_Chilean_Cyborg@feddit.cl 57 minutes ago
Junkernaught@lemmy.dbzer0.com 5 hours ago
Huge thanks to people in this thread. USB-C stopped charging reliably on my phone a few months back, tried clearing the port with compressed air but no joy, so I started using wireless charging. Spent 5mins today picking out a surprising amount of lint with a narrow toothpick and it works like new!
AllHailTheSheep@sh.itjust.works 3 hours ago
it is frankly impressive how much debris a port can hold!
MintyFresh@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
I did the same thing! I thought I was boned, turned out I just had a pocket lint problem. It really was amazing how much shit I pulled out of there. Charges just fine now.
DragonOracleIX@lemmy.ml 5 hours ago
I had that exact same experience a few months ago.
imsufferableninja@sh.itjust.works 15 hours ago
Time to clean the lint out of the charging port
ryedaft@sh.itjust.works 15 hours ago
The charging port is the bellybutton of the device
LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.dbzer0.com 12 hours ago
Years ago when fixing phones most of the charging problems was just that. Most of the ear speaker issues were from makeup getting caked up in the mesh screen. And most of the motherboard issues came from people dropping them on the toilet/lake/ocean.
saltesc@lemmy.world 15 hours ago
It’s always this unless you can think of a time you specifically damaged the port. And you’ll be surprised how much shit comes out with the tip of a plastic toothpick; how it was somehow actually managing to still charge in the first place lol.
thebestaquaman@lemmy.world 12 hours ago
I honestly enjoy it when this happens. It’s so satisfying getting to pull obscenely large wads of lint out of the port
gamermanh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 15 hours ago
Also a decent idea to snag a magnetic charging adapter to avoid this in the future
Got one that plugs into my phone and a few of the other end for cords around my house and car, totally worth the 15 bucks I spent
cobysev@lemmy.world 14 hours ago
My dad had Parkinson’s at the end of his life (and a general lack of coordination his whole life). Those magnetic charging adapters were a lifesaver for him. He just needed to get the cord close enough to the charging port on his phone and it would snap together. No coordination required.
It was also nice when he would forget to disconnect the cord. As soon as he walked away, the cable would pop off. No more broken cables from being yanked out of the phone or the wall.
ApathyTree@lemmy.dbzer0.com 14 hours ago
I have these for all my chargeable things. Bought like 4 packs with multiple port types, so I have tons of extra cables in case some die. They are great for game controllers, phones, tablets, rechargeable keyboards, and all sorts of other shit. All you need is multiple ends, and you can use the same cables for everything. It’s glorious if you have a mix of port types.
stebo02@sopuli.xyz 12 hours ago
what if cleaning doesn’t solve it?
mosiacmango@lemm.ee 6 hours ago
Get a wireless charger if your phone supports it. It will likely be slower, but still work.
kernelle@0d.gs 7 hours ago
You’d be surprised how caked a charge port can be, you know you’ve cleaned it correctly when the plug goes in all the way and doesn’t stick out a bit.
When it still doesn’t connect correctly and/or you feel play in de cable/chargeport, it might just need replacing.
Valmond@lemmy.world 11 hours ago
Then repeat step 1.
Ek-Hou-Van-Braai@piefed.social 12 hours ago
How do you clean the port?
lenuup@reddthat.com 10 hours ago
Take a toothpicks and carefully break it in two halves. Ideally you are left with something about half as wide as the original pick. You want thin and sturdy pieces to get into the port. Now carefully scrape the lint and dirt out of the port. The dirt tends to compact on the bottom, so you have to scrape a bit to get it all out. I would recommend to do it in direct sunlight to better see the interior of the port. Torchlights usually are either to bright on the spot or to dim.
Works like a charm.
Shootingstarrz17@lemmy.world 57 minutes ago
Same, but with my laptop. 😔
taxiiiii@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
even if it were broken, this would be such an easy fix if phone companies wouldn’t make it impossible to repair their phones. its freakign infuriating.
AllHailTheSheep@sh.itjust.works 3 hours ago
sharp pair of tweezers or a needle or a toothpicks should be able to help. tons of instructions on how to do it in this thread, but I will add my 2 cents as a phone tech and say that if it’s a lightening port, you want to keep your tool as vertically in the middle of the port as possible while scraping horizontally. for USBC, keep your tool as close to the walls as possible while avoiding the center “tab”. this is so you don’t scrape the contacts. if you do that, you will need a port replacement (usually 80-100$ on most devices). once you scrape as much as you can out. you can use an old toothbrush or whatever works to brush the port clean with some isopropyl to clean any dirt on the contacts, which will come off easily now that it’s not being supported but the other debris you cleaned out with the tool.
Melvin_Ferd@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
Why not use plastic or tooth pick and start with alcohol?
AllHailTheSheep@sh.itjust.works 1 hour ago
whatever works best! it’s just kinda hard to find something plastic that skinny and sharp, and I use tweezers as it’s the most efficient (but also the most prone to damage if you make mistakes I guess).
starting with the brush/isopropyl is not a bad idea for cleaning the contacts (and should be the first thing tried if a device isn’t charging) but it usually doesn’t actually get stuff out of the port. if a port is only charging at a specific angle, it’s cause there’s debris stuck in there. in my experience it’s usually very hard to get with a brush as it’s been compacted and cemented over however long you’ve had the device.
ILoveDurians@lemmy.cafe 1 hour ago
This happened to my old Nintendo Switch :'(
ObviouslyNotBanana@lemmy.world 15 hours ago
Mine started doing it too. Turns out the charging port was full of dust!
Stamets@lemmy.world 15 hours ago
Good to know…
scrion@lemmy.world 13 hours ago
They’re absolutely right, that is the cause 85% of the time. Make sure to get a non-conductive pick made out of plastic or wood (e. g. literally a toothpick) and remove the dust by circling around the little protrusion, then clean the rounded corners with a little hooking motion.
omgboom@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 hours ago
If it makes you feel better, my phone just did the thing where it installed an update and now everything is running noticably worse.
psycho_driver@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
Enforced obsoletion. Android is really good about those updates.
Luvs2Spuj@lemmy.world 12 hours ago
I have nothing constructive to contribute other than I feel smug and superior because I have a fairphone, so I can change mine if that ever happens.
tetris11@lemmy.ml 11 hours ago
frank@sopuli.xyz 11 hours ago
Yup, same. And that smug sense of superiority that comes with it.
I’ll be excited to whip out a Phillips head screwdriver on the day my USB c port acts up to swap it :D
bizzle@lemmy.world 5 hours ago
Imagine the superiority you’d feel by using a sewing needle to just pull the shit out of there and not even have to disassemble your phone
diaphanous@feddit.org 8 hours ago
I’ve done it and it’s super easy to replace!
jayrar@lemm.ee 10 hours ago
Came here to say “laugh in fairphone”
don@lemm.ee 15 hours ago
All these legitimately helpful fucking comments and no one’s pointing out that you can easily fix the problem by placing the smartphone in microwave and nuke it for a minute on high* to get your phone up to 80% charge.
*^Charging times dependent on microwave power output and your zodiac sign. Lower wattages may result in tastier special brownies. If unsure, please consult your primary care phrenologist.^
Stamets@lemmy.world 14 hours ago
Siegfried@lemmy.world 9 hours ago
USB C? See if it isn’t full of garbage accumulated inside. I had to use a needle to scratch it out. Shit was so dense it was pretty difficult to clean. Eventually, I managed to clean it and I got rid of the problem.
Until I found the problem, I ended up buying bs. Another charger and an inductive charger.
MBech@feddit.dk 8 hours ago
I worked as a carpenter until a few years ago. My charging port would constantly get filled with sawdust, plasterdust and whatever other dust happened to be around that day. I ended up buying an induction charger and it has been the absolutely best purchase I’ve ever made.
I tried solving the problem with those small cover things you can put in the port, but they would constantly fall out.
RememberTheApollo_@lemmy.world 7 hours ago
Consider one of those protective cases that has the flap that covers the charging port. Yeah, a minor annoyance when you want to plug the charger in, but it keeps the port crud free. I’ve used variations of that style for years and it keeps the phone in good shape even when it’s collecting rust- or sawdust in the shop.
radiouser@crazypeople.online 12 hours ago
Get a wooden toothpick and snap it in two (unevenly is better). Then use a pointy bit to clear out all the dirt, dust and grime from your phones port. I had the same problem a few weeks ago with my phone, after a good 20 minutes of careful scraping my phone is fine now. Best of luck.
Tigeroovy@lemmy.ca 11 hours ago
Honestly I just use a metal sewing pin or something. Hasn’t caused any problems for me! Just gotta be gentle and not jam it.
Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 10 hours ago
Use the eye side instead of the pointy side
Can also remove dirt from the speaker recesses this way
LeFrog@discuss.tchncs.de 12 hours ago
But be careful: do not press hard on the toothstick. It will splinter and then you will have a related problem getting the port clean. Source: my phone port :(
Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 10 hours ago
Sewing needle, use the eye side to dig around, I cut wood and ends up with chips in the port all the time, it’s not a problem
neclimdul@lemmy.world 10 hours ago
If you’ve got a 3d printer there are various picks you can print to help too. This ones popular www.printables.com/model/…/related
OfficerBribe@lemm.ee 11 hours ago
I recommend also taking a knife and peel it a bit so it is basically flat.
twinnie@feddit.uk 11 hours ago
I tried this and had limited success. Then I just got a wireless charger and it’s fine now.
psycho_driver@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
Look into magnetic charging adapters. I’m just putting them on my wife’s devices out of the box now.
terminhell@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
Yes, started using them a few years ago. It’s a game changer.
the_riviera_kid@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
Possibility 1 the port is full of crap, clean the port with a thin stiff piece of plastic.
Possibility 2 the port is broken, treat your equipment better.
Possibility 3 the cable is bad, replace the cable and treat your equipment better.
Tigeroovy@lemmy.ca 11 hours ago
Time to fish out the impacted lint from the charge hole with a pin! You’d be surprised how much lint can get jammed up in there.
Landless2029@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
Makes me seriously consider something like a Magnetic USBC connector
Hazmatastic@lemmy.world 10 hours ago
This. I was sure I had mine completely clean 3 times and was pretty resigned to wireless charging only before a hardened sliver of detritus dropped out. Back to working like new.
deegeese@sopuli.xyz 5 hours ago
Charging ports wear out if used often, which is why I usually charge wirelessly and keep a lint cap on my port.
tomi000@lemmy.world 10 hours ago
Got myself a Fairphone 5 just a few weeks ago. With this, switching the charging port is a 30€ + 10min time investment.
taxiiiii@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
i dont have a fairphone-amount of cash lying around, but I’m seriously wondering if it doesnt end up to be cheaper in the long run for those who do.
how long does it get security updates?
tomi000@lemmy.world 1 hour ago
…fairphone.com/…/9979180437393-Fairphone-s-Operat…
They promise 8 years (possibly 10), so at least until late 2031.
Im pretty sure it will end up being cheaper for me on the long run, especially compared to an iPhone. Im kind of amazed that its not more expensive considering they probably spend like twice as much for the components (or rather for the conditions they are produced under), while still being more or less competitive. But I guess its possible if you dont go for 200% profit margin.
FistingEnthusiast@lemmynsfw.com 15 hours ago
It’s usually just dirty
TheTechnician27@lemmy.world 15 hours ago
- Test the cable first if you have a spare.
- Test the AC adapter if you have a spare.
- If both fail, inspect the charging port with a flashlight. 4a) If it looks dirty, try cleaning it out with a toothpick (if you have a dedicated plastic tool for mobile repair, use that). 4b) If it doesn’t look dirty, refer to 4a. What often happens is that lint from your pocket compacts over time as it gets in there and then gets pressed in by the charger.
- If this doesn’t work and you have a good, locally owned mobile repair shop nearby, they might look at the port for free just to see if there’s anything you missed.
Only after all of this would I start to strongly consider the phone itself as the culprit.
Tungsten5@lemm.ee 8 hours ago
Mine started the same thing a few weeks ago. I tried cleaning out the charging port but after a while of scrapinc I gave up since nothing was coming out and I couldn’t see any more lint in there. The problem persists. I am confident that no one in the world has it as difficult as me right now.
taxiiiii@lemmy.world 4 hours ago
i am also convinced that no one in the world has it as difficult as you. sending condolences.
hungryphrog@lemmy.blahaj.zone 12 hours ago
So, the first thing you need to do is to figure out if the problem is in your phone or in the charger. Try either charging your phone with another charger or using your charger to charge someone else’s phone.
If the charger is the problem, it’s most likely broken inside and you need to get a new one. Tape might do the trick for a short time.
If the phone is the problem, try cleaning out the charging port. I personally use bamboo cocktail sticks that I crush with pliers to make them have small rough bristles. Lots of objects work for this (pretty much anything thin, preferably brush-like), just as long as you don’t put anything wet there.
Zaphod@discuss.tchncs.de 10 hours ago
I only ever had this problem with micro USB. Thank god we abandoned that shitty connector
Jerb322@lemmy.world 15 hours ago
I had a little plastic army guy go missing from my diorama. Turns out, he was in the charging port,of my phone. :)
MajesticElevator@lemmy.zip 13 hours ago
Now how the fuck does that fit in? The thing must be so tiny
Jerb322@lemmy.world 9 hours ago
Just fn around.
Opisek@lemmy.world 11 hours ago
This and also battery wear is why I change my phone exclusively with wireless charging with all the fast charging toggles turned off.
cley_faye@lemmy.world 11 hours ago
Phones are not that dumb. Mine will actually charge slower at night because it is set up to be “ready” when the alarm goes off in the morning, many hours later.
Kecessa@sh.itjust.works 10 hours ago
You might also have an option to limit the % instead
REDACTED@infosec.pub 10 hours ago
Correct me if I’m wrong, but damage to the battery is done by heat, not quick charging itself. While normally quick charging does produce a lot of heat, I gotta say that I’ve never noticed my phone getting even warm during quick charge, so I feel like the damage done to the battery is 1/5 of the damage done to it by charging to 100%
EtherWhack@lemmy.world 10 hours ago
Try with a different/new cable.
The contacts on a USB-C cable can become fatigued and lose the tension needed to maintain a solid connection, which can cause this issue.
Someplaceunknown@lemm.ee 10 hours ago
I am sorry for your loss…
henfredemars@infosec.pub 15 hours ago
Great time to try wireless charging if you have a device that supports it.
valkyrieangela@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 minutes ago
Caused by gunk in the charge port. It naturally accrues over time. Local repair stores will have the specialized tools to fix it.