Laptops are an essential element of modern living. They are used for work, college, school, and entertainment. But there’s one downside to laptops: the ports can get dirty.
Dirt, dust, and other debris can build up in the ports over time, causing problems with connectivity and performance. In some situations, it can even cause damage to your laptop.
Fortunately, cleaning your laptop ports is a relatively easy task. This blog post will teach you how to do it safely and effectively.
If you’re cleaning out the USB ports on your laptop, be sure it’s switched off first. It’s also a good idea to unplug the charging cord to prevent any damage or personal injuries.
Why You Need To Clean Laptop Ports
Why do you need to clean your laptop ports? How is it important? These questions arise when we think of cleaning the laptop ports.
The dirt that accumulates around the laptop’s USB port, ethernet port, and any other port is a mix of dust, debris from your hands and body, hairs, dead skin cells, bacteria, and miscellaneous objects as lint from fabrics or even dust bunnies.
This mixture can cause several problems with your laptop, both short-term and long-term. The most obvious effect it has is connectivity issues. If you’re not getting the connection speeds expected for your USB devices or being blocked by something in the port, this could be the cause.
Over time, this buildup can damage your laptop’s USB ports. A large clump of dirt stuck in the port could potentially prevent you from inserting or removing your devices, which will cause permanent damage to the port.
How To Clean Laptop Ports Right Way
Luckily, cleaning out the ports on your device is relatively easy and safe if done correctly. Here are the methods to safely clean laptop ports.
Before using these methods, keep this in mind. Please don’t use any metal instruments to clean the laptop ports, as these can damage them, and don’t forget to turn off your laptop before the cleaning process.
1. Using compressed air
This method is a quick and easy way to remove most dust particles from your laptop’s port. Compressed air is a canned airflow that is very powerful and can be found in most hardware stores or online.
If you don’t have cans of compressed air, you can use an electric blower to do the job.
Here are steps to follow:
- Ensure that you have switched off your device and unplugged any devices or cables connected to it.
- Turn your can of compressed air upside down.
- Aim the nozzel towards the usb ports.
- Spray some of the air into the port, making sure that it covers all areas.
- Wait a couple seconds before you turn on your device again and reinsert any cables or devices.
2. Use a toothbrush for solid dirt
When we use compressed air, solid dirt that has been caught inside the USB port will not come out. As a result, a toothbrush (or paintbrush) may be used to clean the tiny fibers through the port’s interior.
You can also use toothpicks. However, a brush or toothbrush is much more pleasant to use.
3. Using rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol
Rubbing or isopropyl alcohol can be used to clean USB ports. Rubbing alcohol is a common household item that can clean the laptop ports. It is a powerful solvent that can remove dirt, dust, and other debris from the port.
Make sure to use Isopropyl alcohol with more than 70% concentration because it drys faster; isopropyl alcohol with less concentration takes more time to dry.
Here are steps to follow:
- Ensure that you have switched off your device and unplugged any devices or cables connected to it.
- Take a cotton swap and soak the end in the alcohol.
- Gently rub the port with the soaked end of the cotton swap, making sure to clean as much dirt as you can. (Note: Don’t rub too hard, as this can cause damage to your device.)
- Wait for sometimes to allow the alcohol to evaporate, then turn on your laptop and reinsert any cables or devices.
After cleaning, check the dryness of the USB port before turning on the computer. It might take a few hours to dry thoroughly. If you’re in a hurry, use microfiber cloths to speed up the process.
4. Using contact cleaner spray
Contact cleaner spray (also known as switch cleaner spray) is a powerful solvent that can cut through all types of dirt and debris.
Spray contact cleaner into the port, wait for some time, and then turn on your laptop. Contact cleaner dries up quickly, and your device will be ready in a minute.
The most popular contact cleaners are WD-40 and DeoxIT. You can buy them easily from your local store or order them online.
Tips To Keep Your Ports Clean
Prevention is better than cure. Keeping your laptop USB port clean will avoid any possible damage to it. Here are some tips that you can use:
- Keep your laptop and cables away from dusts, pet hair, or other debris. It’s easier than cleaning out the ports after they have become dirty.
- Use dust cap for your laptop’s charger or USB cable when they are not in use.
- If you’re using a laptop for work, clean out the USB ports once every month.
- When cleaning the port, don’t use any metal instruments that might scratch them or damage your laptop’s motherboard. Only use soft materials like cotton buds to prevent any type of damage.
Should you get dust covers for your laptop ports?
There are a few reasons why you might want to consider getting dust covers for your laptop ports. First and foremost, it can help protect your ports from dust, pet hair, and sticky substances. This will keep them clean and in good condition, which is essential to avoid damaging them.
Conclusion
It’s essential to clean the laptop’s USB C ports so that you can avoid any damage to them. This blog post has provided four different ways to clean the USB port of your laptop computer.
Each method has its benefits and disadvantages. We recommend using compressed air because it is the easiest and most convenient way to clean the USB C port.
If you don’t have compressed air, you can use an electric blower or rubbing alcohol. Make sure to read our tips on how to prevent dirt and debris from getting into your laptop’s USB ports in the first place.
