Cables can easily pile up around the house. Some come with a new device, some are used daily, and some end up in the “just in case” drawer, even though no one knows what they are for anymore. However, there are cables that many people use longer than they should, even when they are damaged, unreliable or no longer support modern devices.
The most common example is phone charging cables. Depending on the quality, they can last up to six years, but in practice they often last one to three years. Their life is shortened by twisting, pulling, bending the connector while the phone is being used on the charger and constantly pulling the cable to a remote outlet.
If the phone only charges when the cable is at a certain angle, if charging takes an unusually long time, if the cable heats up, cracks, has exposed wires or a loose connector, it’s time to replace it. Using a damaged cable may result in overheating, damage to the device, electric shock or fire. It is better to choose better quality, preferably cables with a braided jacket.
Damaged or outdated cables can slow down charging, spoil the picture, network and sound
HDMI cables usually last much longer, often more than ten years if used properly. They transfer image and sound between TVs, consoles, computers and streaming devices. The problem is that the malfunction may not always be obvious. If you experience picture interruptions, flickering, loss of sound, or intermittent loss of signal, the HDMI cable may be the cause. It should be protected from moisture, dust, direct sunlight and rough bending. Even when not physically damaged, an older HDMI cable may not support newer standards, 4K resolution, high refresh rates, or advanced HDR features.
Ethernet cables are also very durable. They usually last five to ten years, while better quality Cat6a and Cat7 cables can last much longer. However, if there are interruptions in the Internet connection, a drop in speed, lag, unstable communication between devices or visible damage to the cable, replacement is the simplest test. Older Ethernet cables can limit the speed of modern routers, consoles, NAS devices and streaming systems, so a physically correct cable may not always be good enough for today’s needs.
Audio cables for headphones often fail at the junction with the connector. They can last five to eight years, but poor storage, especially bending at 90 degrees, quickly damages them. Muffled or distorted sound, uneven volume, interruptions when the connector moves, and the need to adjust the cable to make the headphones work are clear signs of a problem. If the cable is hot, cracked or has exposed wires, it should be replaced immediately.
Cables are not expensive equipment, but a bad cable can create an expensive problem. That’s why you shouldn’t save them until the last moment just because they “still work somehow”, advises BGR.