Port Dust Plugs

Why plug a port

A laptop's sockets are open to whatever is in the bag with it. Lint, crumbs and dust collect in them, and a USB-C or charging socket packed with fluff can stop a plug going fully home, so a charger connects only now and then. A dust plug is a small stopper that sits in a socket you are not using and keeps that dirt out. Plugs are most useful on a laptop that travels, and on sockets you rarely use, such as HDMI, network and SD card slots.

Sets and single kinds

• Full sets of 13 or 16 pieces cover the common sockets on a laptop at once: USB-C, USB-A, HDMI and mini HDMI, mini DisplayPort, the network socket, SD card slots, VGA and the headphone socket. The pieces are sized to each socket, so check which are in the set against the sockets on your laptop.
• USB-C plugs come in packs, in silicone, and some with a small brush for clearing the socket first.
• USB-A plugs come in larger packs for laptops and desktops with several of the older rectangular sockets.
• Network caps are plastic covers for spare RJ45 sockets on a laptop, a router or a hub.
• Plugs on a chain for USB-C, Lightning and Micro USB stay attached to the device, so they do not get lost.

Silicone, plastic or metal

Most plugs here are soft silicone, which grips the socket snugly and comes out with a fingernail without scraping the contacts. The plastic ones are rigid caps for network sockets. The metal USB-C plugs in this range are made for phones' charging ports. Whatever you choose, never push anything hard or metal into a laptop's socket to clean it out: the laptop makers warn that it can bend the contacts or cause a short. A short burst of air or a dry, soft brush does the job, as the guide to cleaning a laptop explains.

Fitting them

Clear the socket first with a puff of air or a soft brush, then press the plug in until it sits flush. Choose plugs that fit snugly but pull out easily. If one sits loose in your laptop's socket, it will fall out in the bag, and if it has to be forced, it is the wrong size.

Questions people ask about port dust plugs

Are dust plugs safe with young children about?

They are small parts. RoSPA says children under 36 months are most at risk of choking on small objects, and the NHS advises keeping small objects out of reach. Keep spares in a closed pouch.

Should I plug the socket I charge from?

You can, as long as the plug comes out easily each time. Plugs do most good in the sockets you hardly ever use.

More to look at

• Laptop cable locks
• Laptop skins
• Electric air dusters
• Keyboard brushes and cleaning gel
• Tech pouches
• USB-C hubs
• Guide: Privacy and protection: filters, screen protectors, skins and locks
• Guide: How to clean a laptop safely