4 Cables You Should Replace More Often

Between the cables that come with every new tech purchase, the ones you use every day, and the ones you don’t know what they’re for and hide in your home’s miscellaneous drawer “just in case,” it’s easy to find yourself overwhelmed with smartphone cables, Ethernet cables, and other cables that you should replace more often.

While some of these cords may be thrown away or recycled because they are damaged, incompatible with modern devices, or because you simply don’t use them enough, there are some cables that you probably use regularly that need to be replaced more often than you think, even if they are designed for a long life. Some phone charging cables can last up to six years, but bad habits could quickly shorten that lifespan.

Those of you who continue to use faulty cables as long as they work really shouldn’t do so, as it can pose a safety risk. HDMI, Ethernet and audio cables are more durable and therefore should last longer, but, as with charging cables, improper maintenance can lead to damage, reducing longevity and efficiency. However, it’s not just damaged cables that need to be replaced; Older HDMI cables may not support the latest technologies, while aging Ethernet cables may not be able to meet the increasing speed demands of modern devices.

Smartphone charging cables can, depending on the brand, last up to six years, but typically survive between one and three years. Unfortunately, bad habits when it comes to phone cables tend to shorten their lifespan. Between regularly twisting and pulling on the cable, bending the connector while using the phone while charging, and stretching the cord to reach an outlet, charging cables take a lot of abuse. Over time, this can impact the charging efficiency of the cable, making it less reliable.

Maybe you have to position the cable a certain way to charge your smartphone or the full battery takes forever to charge. In addition to damaging the cable, this can damage your smartphone, leading to overheating and additional wear and tear. Apple warns that using a damaged charger with an iPhone may result in fire, electric shock, injury or damage. Signs that your smartphone charging cable is damaged include fraying, cracking, exposed wiring, bent connectors, overheating of the cable or phone while charging, and loose or unstable cable fit. Experts recommend avoiding cheap cables and replacing your standard phone charging cord with a braided cord if possible, as they are sturdier.

High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cables transfer audio and video and are used to connect devices like your TV, gaming console, and streaming setups. Although high-quality HDMI cables can last more than 10 years, if properly maintained, you may need to replace them sooner. Factors that impact this longevity include cable quality, environmental considerations such as temperature extremes and dust, and physical damage.

Fortunately, there are warning signs that it’s time to replace your HDMI cable. If you start to notice functionality issues, such as picture or sound issues, or an intermittent signal, it’s probably a sign that your HDMI cable needs to be replaced. To avoid this, purchase a high-quality HDMI cable, store it away from direct sunlight and high humidity environments, and be gentle when handling it. In some cases, you may need to replace a cable even if it is not damaged.

With a particularly old HDMI cord, you may find it incompatible with newer devices and unable to support the latest specifications. For example, if your old HDMI cable doesn’t support 4K resolution on your new TV, you probably won’t see 4K visuals. It’s always worth checking a device’s specifications against the capabilities of your HDMI cord to ensure the best performance and finding a replacement if they are incompatible.

Ethernet cables are generally very durable and have a lifespan of five to ten years, with higher performance Cat6a and Cat7 cables capable of operating for 20 years. However, as with HDMI cables, this longevity depends on several factors, including physical stress and damage, environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight, and cable quality and usage. The different types of Ethernet cables are also important. As such, there are pros and cons to using Ethernet cables for your home internet.

If you regularly experience internet dropouts, interruptions, lags, slower download speeds, inconsistent connection between devices, or notice that the cord is physically damaged, it’s probably time to replace your cable. Advances in technology are also impacting Ethernet cord replacement considerations. A particularly old cable may not support the speed and bandwidth of modern devices, like streaming sticks, routers, and gaming consoles, resulting in slower speeds. Ultimately, if you’re having internet issues that seem to be related to your Ethernet cable, it’s worth purchasing a new, high-quality cord to see if that fixes the problem.

Headphone audio cables take a lot of abuse. Although these cords can last five to eight years, improper handling can reduce that life to three to five years. The main point of failure is at the headphone connectors. Storing your headphones with the cable bent 90 degrees at this connection point significantly reduces the lifespan. Besides physical damage, such as cable fraying or cracks, signs that your headphone audio cable may need to be replaced include deterioration in sound quality.

Damaged audio cables can cause muffled or distorted sound and unbalanced volume. You may also notice changes in the sound when the connector is rotated, indicating an internal wire break. Be sure to watch for an unstable audio connection, regular audio interruptions, or constant position adjustments necessary for the headset to work properly. If you suspect a damaged audio cable, it’s worth purchasing a replacement. Continuing to use worn cables accelerates the aging of the internal wires. If the cable is hot to the touch or the wires are exposed, replace it immediately as this may result in electric shock or even fire.