General Rule of Thumb: Clean your headphone jack regularly, at least every 30-45 days. Here are four foolproof ways to clean your headphone jack and keep it debris-free: Using compressed air Using cotton swabs Using paperclip and tape Using an interdental brush

There are three primary methods of cleaning a headphone or auxiliary jack properly and safely: wiping inside with a swab and alcohol, spraying the inside of the jack with compressed air, or (if you do not have alcohol or compressed air) carefully brushing with a very fine brush.

Don't use any metal tools to clean the USB-C port, as you risk damaging it. Insert the head of a brush, like a dry toothbrush, into the port, making sure the hairs surround the middle contact pad (the black tab in the middle of the port). Gently turn the brush in small circles to break up any clumped debris.