Holding a broken headphone plug, and wondering where the end is? Pulled the earphones too quickly from your tablet or smartphone, only to discover a bit was left behind?

Sadly, earphone connectors suffer with wear and tear. Consequently, if a headphone jack has broken off in your phone, iPad, or MP3 player, the socket can no longer be used.

So, how can you remove the broken headphone jack and start using replacement earphones? Here are some tricks that might help.

How to Remove a Broken Headphone Jack

All too often, the end of a broken headphone jack gets stuck in your phone or tablet. It turns out that these small metal cylinders are weak where the (usually) black plastic rings appear along the length. This is the same for any wired earphones.

headphone jack

It's difficult, but several solutions have been discovered to remove a broken headphone jack:

  1. The inside of a Biro
  2. Superglue on the rest of the connector plug
  3. Thumbtack with a bent point
  4. A toothpick with hot glue
  5. A heated paperclip
  6. A dedicated tool called the GripStick

When withdrawing the broken component, make sure you're holding your device with the earphone socket pointing downwards. Gravity always helps!

Before looking at these methods in more detail, be aware that these solutions are performed entirely at your own risk. While less invasive than repairing headphone speakers, a wrong move could result in a broken phone or tablet.

1. Can a Biro Get a Broken Headphone Jack Out?

Fun fact: the tube running up the inside of your Biro is almost the same diameter as an earphone jack. With a bit of force and adjustment, this can be used to remove the broken connector from your device.

Here’s how:

  1. Remove the inner tube of the pen (the piece with the ink inside) by pulling the nib of the pen.
  2. Firmly push the bottom of the tube (where there is no ink) into the earphone socket.
  3. Wait a moment, then slowly pull the tube out.

The tube should grip the broken part and pull it out.

If this doesn't work first time, you have some options:

  • Slightly widen the tube with a nail to ensure a snug fit for the plug.
  • Quickly heat the end of the tube to soften it, push it into the socket, then leave for a moment to harden before withdrawing.
  • Place a small dab or hot glue or superglue onto the end of the tube before insertion; chewing gum can also work.

For a final attempt, cut a two-inch length of the tube (or other similar tubing) and insert it into the earphone socket. Next, tap into place with something firm (like a shoe or slipper) just to ensure the lost part is gripped. When you're happy it has been grabbed by the tube, remove from the phone.

2. Superglue the Other End of the Plug

If the pen cartridge doesn't work, or you prefer a different approach, then the answer could be to use superglue. You probably know that when using superglue, you never bind two surfaces immediately after application.

Instead, you wait, until they have dried slightly and become tacky. This tackiness is key to removing the broken piece in this scenario.

  1. Use a cocktail stick (or another narrow applicator) to place a tiny blob of superglue on the remaining end of the earphone plug.
  2. Wait (per the packet instructions) for it to become tacky, then slide into the socket.
  3. Push down for 30 seconds or so.
  4. Wait a little longer, then pull.
  5. If the broken headphone jack is attached, you've solved the problem.

It's important to use small amounts of glue. Otherwise, residual glue might cause problems later. To resolve this, simply apply a little rubbing alcohol to a Q-tip and swiftly clean inside the socket.

While the snapped headphone jack may appear to be repaired, it cannot be used. Do not attempt to replace it in the socket!

3. Remove a Broken Headphone Jack With a Thumbtack

If you want a simpler approach, a bent thumbtack or drawing pin can be used. Grab a normal tack and hammer the point to form a sort of "L" shape.

With your phone or tablet in one hand:

  1. Take the bent thumbtack.
  2. Push it into the earphone socket (the point of the thumbtack should touch the plastic ring of the connector jack).
  3. Push firmly, and twist so the bent point burrows slightly into the plug.

When you're confident you have enough purchase, pull the thumbtack, which should bring the broken headphone jack with it.

4. Toothpick and Hot Glue

Looking for some other object that is small enough to fit into the socket and remove a broken headphone jack?

Try a toothpick; plastic or wooden, either is fine. Just make sure it is narrow and long enough to reach into the socket and reach the broken earphone plug. Then:

  1. Dab a tiny amount of hot glue onto the end of the toothpick.
  2. Wait for it to cool slightly.
  3. Carefully insert into the earphone socket until it touches the debris.
  4. Wait for the glue to cool and dry, then withdraw.

If all has gone according to plan, the missing broken headphone jack will be removed!

5. Use a Heated Paperclip

No glue to hand? Heat is a good substitute, as the broken part of the connector often has that plastic ring. Another way to grab hold of this is with a bent, heated paperclip.

  1. Find a paperclip and unwind it.
  2. Bend the main length out 90 degrees into an “L” shape.
  3. Hold the paperclip with something heatproof.
  4. Using a lighter or stove, heat the tip of the bent end of the paperclip.
  5. Insert the heated paper clip carefully into your phone’s audio socket.
  6. Push firmly and wait a few minutes for the plastic to cool.

If all has gone well, the paperclip will be embedded into the plastic ring of the broken headphone jack. You should soon be able to remove it by slowly pulling out the paperclip.

6. GripStick Broken Headphone Jack Removal Tool

If DIY fixes aren't working for you, it might be time to consider the pro-level solution. GripStick is designed specifically for the task of removing broken off earphone plugs.

Although pricey, it's considerably less than paying a professional to remove the lost earphone connector. Similarly, if your phone is under warranty or smartphone insurance, it will be inconvenient to send it away for repairs. Buying a GripStick will avoid this being an issue.

Use of the GripStick is simple. Slide the cylinder into the earphone socket, push it into place, and pull it out again using the ring. The broken headphone jack will be held by the GripStick.

It's Time to Switch to Bluetooth Headphones

If for some reason you cannot get the broken earphone plug out of your device, don't panic. It's possible that your device volume still works, so find out. Play some audio; if the device speaker is still working, then you can consider another solution.

No audio? This is because the broken plug is telling your device that it is plugged in. As far as your phone or tablet is concerned, it is sending audio to your earphones. You'll have a silent experience (frustrating for phone calls) until you can dislodge the offending object.

It might be inconvenient and may require you to rethink your audio options but switching to Bluetooth is the best way to avoid broken earphone connectors in the future.

While you might use one of the fixes above, buying Bluetooth earphones is the best option. Need help? Check our Bluetooth earbuds buying guide.

Cheaper Earphones Are More Likely to Break

These fixes can work; the trick is finding the one that solves the problem for you.

Personally speaking, I've found that cheaper earphones are likely to have poorly made plugs. This has a dual risk: the plug may break, but it might also damage the socket. This can happen with standard use if the connector is cheaply manufactured; the result is invariably frustration and disappointment.