How do I clean my port?

Hi Pat,

You'll need some 90% or higher concentration isopropyl alcohol (don't use the 70% stuff we all have around the house - too many impurities that'll leave contaminants in the port), something thin and non-metallic that will fit inside the port and a piece of microfiber glass cleaning cloth. Wrap the cloth around the toothpick and wet it with the alcohol, then insert it in the port and gently scrub it around. Find a new spot on the cloth and repeat until it comes out clean.

If you have a can of compressed air, that will also help blast out any pocket lint or dirt that's gotten down in there, but should be used in addition to the cleaning mentioned above rather than instead of.

Most of the time that's all that's needed to get the port cleaned out and usable again. Make sure you've got a magnifying glass and a bright light to check inside and verify that you can't see any more gunk in there once you're done.

Good luck; let us know how it goes!