It’s a common issue that the sound is muffled and static when you plug in your headphones. This can be caused by dust or other debris in the headphone jack. The good news is here’s how to clean a headphone jack correctly in 4 easy ways!
First off, let’s talk about why this happens so often. Most people use their phones without any case, which means skin oils and makeup will get into the headphone jack and hair products like hairsprays and gels, which contain alcohol to dry them out faster. Even in a case, the headphone jack must be free and accessible. All these combined make it hard for dirt, dust, or anything else to stay inside where they belong – causing all sorts of problems with the sound quality!
A few common problems with a dirty headphone jack are muffled sound, static noise, and crackling noises. Or worse, the headphones won’t even reproduce any sound. Some people have reported getting stuck in headphone mode after unplugging the headphones from the jack and many similar problems overall.
To clean out the headphone jack, there are a few things you can do, including but not limited to using canned air (more on this below), cotton swabs with alcohol or water mixed with soap, paperclip/toothpick + tape method (see video for demonstration), and interdental brush. Let’s review each to show you how to clean that headphone jack like a pro.
1. How to clean the headphone jack using compressed/canned air
Canned air is a safe and effective way to blow out the dust from your headphone jack. It would be best if you did this in an area with no risk of breaking anything nearby because it can result in some flying debris. If your can of compressed air comes with a thin tube connector, then attach it to the nozzle and insert it into the headphone jack.
Start blowing air in short bursts (hold down the button to control how much is coming out) for about a minute or two until all the dust has been removed. If there’s still residue present, use one of the other methods below!
If you have an air compressor at home, it could also be an alternative but be careful not to damage the device you’re cleaning as sometimes the pressure can be stronger than the amount you would need for a simple device such as a smartphone.
2. Clean your headphone jack with cotton swabs and alcohol
To clean the headphone jack with cotton swabs/q-tips, you can first wet one of them in alcohol and then use it to wipe down all areas of the inside. Alcohol is OK because it evaporates quickly, and it will kill anything inside the jack.
Repeat this step until no more dirt comes onto the cotton swab. If residue is still present after a few rounds, try another method!
3. Use a paperclip and tape to clean the jack
If you don’t have cotton swabs, a paperclip/toothpick + tape can be a great way to remove dirt from your headphone jack. Take one end of the paperclip and wrap it in masking or duct tape with the sticky side out. Insert one end into either side of the headphone jack, then use twisting motions to scoop out any residue inside!
4. Clean with an interdental brush or a pipe cleaner
Finally, if there’s still dust left over after using all these methods, try cleaning it out with a sterile interdental brush dipped in alcohol – this should do the trick for getting everything out. Depending on how dirty things are, you may need more than one round, but at least give it an hour before trying another method.
A pipe cleaner is another option to clean out the headphone jack. You can buy them at any drugstore; they’re easy to use! Hold one end of the cleaner over the headphone jack, then rotate circularly. This will push all of the dust out of your device.
After using these methods, keeping your headphone jack clean is essential so this doesn’t happen again. Here are some tips.
Tips to keep your headphone jack clean
- Try not to touch or blow into your phone without anything on your hands (especially oil) because that can get onto the inside and cause problems.
- Buy a dust plug for your headphone jack, so you don’t need to worry about this as much.
- Even if your phone is water-resistant, dry it off with a cloth if water gets inside.
- Try not to keep your phone in the same pocket as your keys or other items because this can also lead to some areas of the jack becoming dirty or damaged.
Final thoughts
So there you have it! There are many ways to clean your headphone jack, depending on the severity of the problem. Remember that these same steps should be followed every few months to keep things looking fresh and new inside!
Also, it would help if you considered going wireless, as there are many advantages. You can connect your Bluetooth headphones to many other devices, such as a PS4 or X-box One, or use them everywhere with accessible options starting under $100.