Develop Bugs

Loose connection using micro-usb connection lead

I've noticed that the connection using the micro usb cable is not snug, if I apply slight leverage to it the charge/connection is lost.
Im a bit dissapointed because I have certainly not pulled on the lead/dropped the device while attached or anything else that might have buggered the plug.
Is there any way I can make the connection snug again, or is this typical for all other devices too.
If this does turn into someting more problematic what are my steps to get it fixed, I brought this phone as an orange locked unwanted upgrade from ebay. fully boxed and sealed. (i.e. new)
Im a bit annoyed because the micro-usb plug is supposed to be more robust than the mini-usb. but to my eyes that not the case, and has proven to be not true either.

I have this issue too. Interested to see if it's a common flaw.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App

Same problem here. Just got it yesterday. The loose connection is very annoying in that you cannot be sure you left in a charging state unless you unlock it and check the screen. I wonder if it supposed to be that way?
After having posted this, I realize that the thread is not for my phone, a Samsung Captivate. I trusted Google search a little too much I guess. Interesting that the problem is the same.

Same here.
Xperia X10 with a loose connection that got much worse with time. I don't expect a fix for a hardware issue, but I am taking it back to the store for a replacement. The problem is that it has gotten so bad that I can't maintain a connection long enough to get my data!! Not pleased

Jamescousins said:
I have this issue too. Interested to see if it's a common flaw.
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me 3. another thread here t=689367 and here t=692242 (wont let me post full url as noob)
May have to return to T-mobile as its really annoying

I have the Captivate, and I had to exchange mine for one that did not do this.

Yep I started getting this problem a few days ago. Pissing me right off.

can someone tell me if the Samsung captivate and Xperia X10 both have micro-B USB ports also ?

Micro USB Sucks
I have the HTC Incredible and whenever its plugged into my PC you can tell by the audibles (and by HTC Sync failing 1/2 the time) that it keeps disconnecting and reconnecting - especially if you lift the phone or move the cable. So I was just as surprised to hear the MicroUSB was supposed to fix some of the wear and tear issues of MiniUSB - which is just untrue!!!

My HD2 has a loose connection
http://app1.appserver.dk:8080/RepairPictures/servlet/getPic?id=51371
<-- This is the chip. And HTC wont repair it. They say it's my own fault? :S

I've got this problem too with my desire and realised it's the cable. I got my desire on the release date (had it preordered) and the plug on the cable is smooth on all sides so it slips in and outu the phone easily. However, my girlfriend got a desire 2 weeks ago, and the micro-USB plug on her cable has two little spring loaded bumps on it, which gives it a positive "click" when it's plugged into the phone and it takes a lot more force to remove it.
Hence I stole her cable

My cappy too
This problem is happening, albeit not as seriously as some of yours, to my cappy now. I have had it for just under a year now. Looking back I could have been a little gentler with it...
Running Teamhacksung's ICS Build 9.

I've got the same issue - turns out that it's the cable more than anything, as when I plug the in-car charger one (a different cable) in, everything worked perfectly.

terrible design
Every device I or my wife has that is micro USB has charging issues. The design in a laboratory is supposed to get 10,000 cycles. But our experience is that a device after 6 months starts to have issues. Finally after a year about every device must be replace as the charging port is so loose that not even the highest quality cables will stay seated well enough to guarantee a charge or data connectivity. Very disappointed that EVERY phone uses this. Well other than Apple, which I may just have to go to since I cannot afford new phones constantly. The wireless companies KNOW it is a flaw in the design of the port also. Not a one of them will warranty the phone if the issue is the charging port. I am talking clean ports here also. No lint or anything.
Down with micro USB

lukester01 said:
Every device I or my wife has that is micro USB has charging issues. The design in a laboratory is supposed to get 10,000 cycles. But our experience is that a device after 6 months starts to have issues. Finally after a year about every device must be replace as the charging port is so loose that not even the highest quality cables will stay seated well enough to guarantee a charge or data connectivity. Very disappointed that EVERY phone uses this. Well other than Apple, which I may just have to go to since I cannot afford new phones constantly. The wireless companies KNOW it is a flaw in the design of the port also. Not a one of them will warranty the phone if the issue is the charging port. I am talking clean ports here also. No lint or anything.
Down with micro USB
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, micro USB is horribly unreliable across all brands. Too bad I absolutely loathe iOS, because I would consider getting an iPhone if I could run Android on it. Hopefully USB Type-C will be better.

5 data points and a question
First, additioanal data points:
I've had 2 different devices with micro usb connectors and both failed within 3 days of beginning to use them. I can't swear it was the female socket that was damaged but that was my impression. The prongs on the male connector were NOT flattened. I looked for that.
I had another device, a Nook Color I believe it was called, that had a usb charging/data connector that was their own slightly modified design of one of the usb standards. I can't swear whether it was a modified mini or a modified micro but I think it was a modified micro. Anyway the socket was a little deeper than the standard. The idea was that if you plugged in a standard male connector it worked the same way as a standard socket but if you plugged in the longer Nook male connector it went in deeper (I'm straining to refrain from low humor here), additional contacts came into play and it would charge faster. In the Nook case it was definitely the male connector that would break. I replaced the charger twice before the Nook failed for other reasons (I suspect a cat baptised it). If you search the net you'll find a lot of people had the same problem.
So in my case micro-usb is either 2 for 0 if you don't count the Nook, 3 for 0 if you count the Nook once, or maybe 5 for 1 if you count the Nook replacement chargers and charitably assume the last one would have worked for a while if the cat hadn't scented it.
I've NEVER had a problem with large, plain, standard, type A rectangular connectors. I think the idea that the mini is too big is one only Madison Avenue types could come up with. Even the standard type A isn't really too big. After all, how big is a thumb drive? I suspect it has more to do with making it a wee bit cheaper than making it smaller.
So yeah, micro-usb just plain sucks. Assuming Frank's posts in this thread at stack exchange:
electronics.stackexchange dotcom /questions/18552/why-was-mini-usb-deprecated-in-favor-of-micro-usb
aren't fraudulent, Nokia pressured the USB Implementers Forum to accept the micro standard, implicitly against the better judgement of some people involved. I'm therefore inclined to never buy a Nokia anything.
So much for the problem. I'm thinking about workarounds because there is a tablet I'd really like to use that charges through a female micro usb port. If I can't charge the battery it's useless. So I'd appreciate comments regarding the feasbility of these alternatives:
WORKAROUND # 1:
Carefully insert a male-micro-usb-X-female-standard-type-A adaptor into the device and glue them both to a piece of waterproofed luon (very light plywood) and then connect with a cable that has male standard full size rectangular type A connectors at BOTH ends. I've never had any problem with the standard full sized type A and they are easy to replace if I do. Though both adaptors and cables as described, are readily available, it is said that the maleXmale cables can damage equipment in some cases and I'm don't know enough to be sure this is not one of those cases.
WORKAROUND #2:
Alternately I could just glue the micro end of the kind of cable that comes with such devices to the luon and leave the rest of the cable dangling. Downside: Messy dangling cable. Upside: I KNOW it is safe.
Any thoughts on these workarounds would be appreciated.

[Q] Need input from electrical engineering folks

Yesterday, I went to a car audio shop primarily to get an alarm installed and they said they would install a hardwire micro USB cable (that I purchased online and brought with me) for free while they were at it. It was to go to my N1 car dock. The install took all the way until closing time so the owner of the shop went over it with me and then everyone went home. It was late on a Friday and I didn't think to test the hardwire install. Probably wouldn't have mattered much then anyway.
This morning, I docked my phone and nothing happened. I originally thought it was a software error so I reflashed everything, still no luck. Then I swapped cables to the lighter socket and the phone docked/charged correctly - I should note that the dock worked fine before using the lighter socket cable. I plugged my phone into the hardwire USB and it started charging. I put the hardwire cable back into the dock and tried docking again multiple times. Nothing happened until right when I was about to go inside, I docked and saw the charging light come on and Car Home popped up.
I drove around for a bit and didn't lose docking once. This was all well until I had to come home to unload groceries and then go back out. After shutting off and restarting my car, I docked and nothing happened.
What I wanted to convey in this lengthy story is what is known right now. The dock paired with the lighter socket cable works fine. The hardwire cable charges my phone fine. The dock paired with the hardwire cable doesn't work 99% of the time.
To all the EE and circuit-savvy people, do you have any ideas as to what could be wrong? I called the shop owner's personal line today and he thinks it might be a loose connection somewhere. This was before I drove around, and after the normal bumps and things of driving and not losing dock, I don't think that's it. I tried jiggling the cable and making sure the USB connector fit properly; no dock. I don't think it's a faulty cable either because any time I plug it into my phone, it charges. Then again, I'm no expert on anything electrical-related so I could be missing something.
The shop offers a lifetime guarantee on install work so I'll be back Monday to have them check it out. The only bad thing is that since it's a hardwire install, the installer will have to pull dash panels to check things out and then I'll be stuck at the shop for however long it takes, which I'd like to avoid, so any troubleshooting brainstorm ideas I can pass along that might help will definitely be appreciated.
The cable I have is part # MFX5V-B-MICRO from mountguys (I can't post links yet) and if you need any more info from me to troubleshoot, I'll be happy to provide it.

I would actually venture to think its a voltage/ampage problem, which could be due to a loose connection, but is probably just because a line has been spliced too many times. Ie enough juice to charge a phone but not enough to power a dock.
Sent from my HTC Vision using XDA App

Thanks for the input. Hopefully things will sort themselves out tomorrow.
I'll come back with an update after everything is solved in case anyone here is also curious as to what went wrong.

Wasn't a EE problem at all. One of the two protruding prongs on the male end was loose. Got a new cable for free and now all is well.

Why does my phone keep going into car mode!?

Hi guys,
My phone keeps going into car mode at completely random times. I have switched ROMs and wiped everything but this has happened on 3 different ROMs now.
Anything you can suggest??
Cheers

i think its something on my SD card. I just deleted everything apart from the necessary stuff and its no longer doing it.
Any thoughts why this should happen?

do you have the phone in a case with a magnet in by any chance?

i had this problem, i search A LOT and i found that it is caused by a short in the phone plug or your usb cable.
do you have this problem anytime or just when it is plugged in the cable?
tha phone knows that you plug into a car dock by this intentional short that is made, sometimes the usb cable may be doing it and sometimes the short is inside phone plug.
in my case the problem was in phone plug and i fixed it by cleaning the the plug with a very tiny pin and isopropyl alcohol (really don't know if that's the name in english =oP)...
hope it can help you

It's funny actually coz it doesn't go into car mode at all when plugged in. But it seems to have stopped now. I reinstalled clockworkmod and the problem seems to have gone completely. Don't know of this is the problem but whatever ive done over last couple of days has sorted it. I hope!!!

I just discovered something strange about my Inspire: I have an adapter to step the size down from mini-USB to micro-USB. When I use one particular charger, the phone switches to the Car Panel as soon as I plug it in. I've got no idea. Phone is completely stock, not rooted. I originally sideloaded a Swype keyboard but deleted it and installed the Slide-It after I realized the Swype would quit working every time the publisher issued a new beta.
Anyway, it's something in that particular power supply that triggers the Car Panel to activate.

Broken USB port?

Hey guys, i'm starting to think that my USB port is broken. I've been tethering my phone to my desktop for the past month but recently i've been having spotty connections to the computer. then today my computer tells me the USB device has malfunctioned whenever i plug it in, i've tried 2 different cables and 2 different computers, as well as CM7 and nitsuj's vanilla gingerbread rom but still no luck. the phone charges fine, but i need to have a pc connection.
thanks in advance to anyone who helps.
-zax

I recently was having the same problem and it started getting progressively worse. Called Verizon and got a warranty exchange. My biggest concern was that the USB would stop working completely and then I wouldn't be able to restore it to factory. Luckily when the new one arrived I had it downgraded and rooted and the old one back to S-on all in about an hour.

I would have to "wiggle" the cord around in various positions until I got my computer to recognize it. Once I got a good connection I had to be careful not to even breathe on the cord or I would lose the connection.

I've always felt that this is a weak link for the DInc2...

Yeah mine has progressed to where the phone has to sit in a very particular way overnight to charge. I haven't had time to take it to Verizon to have them take care of this issue.

It's either that damn ribbon cable or the cable that I got with my Dark DIncII that was so tough to pull from the jack that I thought I was going to pull the jack right out of the phone.
VZW corp store said at first that it will get looser with time.
Now I see what he meant.
At the time I showed him how it did similar to my 2 year old Fathom.
He said well that's an LG for you.
I said get me a cable please. OK
The replacement cable fit much better in both devices.
I still switched it with my wife's DIncI cable, Well seasoned.
With the Red DIncII the cable was re designed with a relief on BOTH sides of the plug.
It's still tight, but it doesn't remind me so much of the time when that damn nurse pulled my catheter out of it's position with 5 of the 15 cc of fluid still in the locking bulb. *****...
Any way it,s a known issue (The Cable) that has prompted attention to a re design of the cable at least.
I will look into locating the ribbon cable and or jack complete.
Because the Red DIncII has the issue with a rattle in the area of that jack only when the back is removed.
And I am not about to exchange my otherwise MINT phone for a warranty refurb that will no doubt encounter similar issues.
If not more, according to what I have been reading about the ones getting sent back to VZW.
I rooted with full intention of keeping what I have and not getting stuck in the revolving door of refurbs..
Yes I am happy with self service, within reason.
Has anyone that gotten a replacement unit gotten a refurb?
As in just the unit without battery or door and plain brown box.
Thanks..

Burned/Melted USB Cable.

So I saw the disclaimer for the HTC Hero, however this is a completely different device / manufacturer (Besides, it's Google ).
I was charging my phone over night, like I usually do. However, when I woke up, I noticed that the phone wasn't charging and sitting at around 70%. So in the dark, I was plugging and unplugging the cable (You know, the fun things you do when you first wake up). After about 3 tries and seeing the device not even registering to being charging (Using the 'high pitch squealer' black charger cube that came with it), I turned the lights on. Noticed burn marks around the connector that goes into my Phone. Pulled the Cube out and that was the end of that.
Later in the day (when I came home from class), I contacted my Carrier (Rogers) and told them. They apologized for the inconvenience (a melted cable on a potentially flammable surface is an inconvenience >.>). They basically told me to go back to Cellcom and replace the unit. After this, I contacted Samsung, who actually, to my surprise, simply didn't care. The now damaged unit now shows up as USB 1.0, but this depends on the angle of the other USB cable.
The "tl;dr" is:
- Burn marks around USB connection to my Phone.
- Cable no longer functions. See the cable as to why, the one (and potential 2nd) ground pin has melted bits surrounding it them.
- Damaged Unit
- Samsung told me basically it's not their problem.
Pictures of the Cable. I can't really get inside my unit without voiding the warranty so there are no pictures of that.
hxxp://i.imgur.com/9kcEe.jpg
hxxp://i.imgur.com/8jubQ.jpg
Apologies about the picture quality, I took them with my Galaxy Nexus.
Anyone else have a similar experience/issue with this?
[qoute name='XDA']
To prevent spam to the forums, ALL new users are not permitted to post outside links in their messages. After approximately eight posts, you will be able to post outside links. Thanks for understanding![/quote]

Wow that sucks, I would expect the odds of that happening are pretty slim. I am surprised that samsung didnt care. I'd like to hear their reasoning behind it not being their problem. I am even MORE surprised that Rogers did care since they can very easily say that since they didnt make the phone that it isnt their problem to deal with and to contact samsung.

Wow , that sucks dude. I haven't seen that happen to a galaxy nexus yet. (It happened to me with my nook tablet, but that's a different story lol). The actual micro USB slot in the phone isn't burnt is it? If it is , you may want to just invest in an extra battery and external wall charger if you can't charge with another micro USB .( thats what I do, I haven't actually charged my nexus via USB since I got it). But if I were you , I would absolutely raise some hell with the carrier you bought it from until they give you a new one. I cant see how this could be your fault .
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

I have charged mine on the one provided, a different samsung charger, car charger from my Droid X dock, BB cable, and blackberry charger. Never had a problem. Sorry to hear that.

Holy crap. I had the charging problem that is a "known bug" until I realized that the cable that came with my phone was defective. I have half a dozen other Samsung cables around so it was no big deal to swap the useless cable and throw it away. But the thought of a defective cable causing a fire hazard situation is worrying.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

yes
In answer to your question: I found this thread by searching for an explanation after my port and cable just now burned up while I was using the phone. Started to smell something funny, and then heard a crackling noise from the phone while seeking the source of the odor. I can only imagine what might have happened if I had been asleep in the other room rather than holding it in my hand when it happened! Not cool, Samsung.
The specifics: I was using the cable that came with the phone and the stock battery, but plugged into a multi-port USB charger. The information here helps my confidence that the problem wasn't my charger, thank God. I say that I can only imagine what might have happened because the loud crackling and intensifying burning smell gave me the distinct impression that it would have burst into flames if allowed to progress much further in the process. Also, the first symptom was failing to show it was connected to the charger, and one of the things I tried was unplugging it and plugging it back in (to a different port of my charger.) The charger doesn't seem to be malfunctioning or damaged, but the cable and port are similarly scorched. The phone made the same crackling noise immediately when connected to a different USB cable and stock charger (for a split second.) And other than that my phone is still working, now on the extended battery that was charged on an external charger; it's what I'm typing this with.

p1ague said:
In answer to your question: I found this thread by searching for an explanation after my port and cable just now burned up while I was using the phone. Started to smell something funny, and then heard a crackling noise from the phone while seeking the source of the odor. I can only imagine what might have happened if I had been asleep in the other room rather than holding it in my hand when it happened! Not cool, Samsung.
The specifics: I was using the cable that came with the phone and the stock battery, but plugged into a multi-port USB charger. The information here helps my confidence that the problem wasn't my charger, thank God. I say that I can only imagine what might have happened because the loud crackling and intensifying burning smell gave me the distinct impression that it would have burst into flames if allowed to progress much further in the process. Also, the first symptom was failing to show it was connected to the charger, and one of the things I tried was unplugging it and plugging it back in (to a different port of my charger.) The charger doesn't seem to be malfunctioning or damaged, but the cable and port are similarly scorched. The phone made the same crackling noise immediately when connected to a different USB cable and stock charger (for a split second.) And other than that my phone is still working, now on the extended battery that was charged on an external charger; it's what I'm typing this with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Holy ****! That must of been a scary sight, and especially waking up to a smell of that. I am glad now that I have the landscape dock that I use for my charging purposes. I think now I will be extra cautious to plug in a usb cable into my phone and if I need to transfer any files I will either be using bluetooth (for the small files) or using ftp file transferring over wifi.
If I were in your shoes I would be calling Samsung to tell them about it and to see if they can take a look at it to see what was causing it and perhaps replace it.

I'm not entirely surprised by their lack of concern. My efs on my Nexus S corrupted on the stock 2.3.4 OTA. They not only would not fix my device but claimed it had corrosion on the circuit Printed Board Assembly and that was the issue and voided my warranty.
I've had the PBA inspected by a buddy of mine who all he does for a living is repair electronics, and the PBA has zero corrosion on it. My IMEI still comes and goes as it pleases on my Nexus S still to this day. Sometimes it returns after a few reboots with no SIM in sometimes its over a month and everything in between.
The point being is that when you own a phone they don't really care but when my TV broke they cared and fixed it immediately and sent someone to my house.
Good luck man I'd call and raise hell if you can't get a reasonable person to help you. The Galaxy Nexus hotline from the Play Store also deals with Galaxy Nexus devices not purchased from them I believe, at least there's an option for people who didn't buy them from Google in the menu when you call. (855)-83-NEXUS
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Why did you apologize about the picture quality? They look fine.

Same thing here. Phone just stopped charging. I pulled the USB cable because I smelled burning/fire/smoke.
I looked at the USB plug and it was charred on the inside, as was the phone. Just... wow.

burned micro usb cable
so literally a few minutes ago i plugged in my charger into the wall and smoke came out of the microusb side and then from smoking went to burning, i just wanted to know if anyone else has had this problem and to warn you guys so that you dont plug it in and it burns your phone

Look for my other thread about the Galaxy Nexus.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

This happened to me yesterday. Samsung does not care. Google does not care. Samsung wants me to send in the phone, no replacement, said the repair would start at $70. Seems unlikely I will be buying another Samsung device. Tempted to avoid all future Nexus devices too.