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.

loose charger/data cable

I have had a quick look around and am unable to find anything on this so i am assuming that my phone is not right.
Basically when i plug the micro usb into the bottom of my desire it seems very loose ie i can wobble it side to side and it still has about half a mm of metal visible. Any for of weight (even just the weight of the cable itself) it falls out. Other than this it works fine it charges and transfers data ok. Is this just a bad design or should i get my phone repaired.
Also does anyone know how long it takes for a repair with htc?

I have been through no end of cables/adapters ... try replacing the cable before sending the phone off
Priz

I had the same issue. I have since replaced the cable with a 'generic
one and all seems fine.
As above - try a new cable, first.

Thankyou for the advise. Its good to know its not just me thats had this and a simple fix cold be the answer. I should be able to sly another cable from around work and give it a try.

My cable is loose also. It happened when I by mistake kicked the cable while the phone was charging. It ended up on the floor and after that the cable is loose. I will probably buy a new one.

[Q] Original usb cable is loose. Whats your take?

My charger doesnt fit well and i just came to terms with this but it has got worse the last two weeks. It plugs in and the led lights up but it doesnt charge sometimes, it says it is charging but an hour later and the battery goes down 5% ish. Also it only connects when the phone sits face up and the cord hangs down as in it must sit on the edge of the table for it to charge. I tried my friends Droid cord and it was a snug fit. do i have an insurance claim on my hands?

You can try getting the cable swapped, but honestly I think the amount of hassle you would go through would just not be worth it. If the problem was with your phone then I would 100% definitely get the phone replaced, but if the problem is only with the cable, I'd take the path of least resistance and just buy a new cable out of pocket. They really aren't expensive if you know the right place to get them.
I use this cable here with my Aria and it works great: http://www.monoprice.com/products/p...=10303&cs_id=1030307&p_id=5458&seq=1&format=2
It is only $3.13 shipped (to my address), and it's 2 feet longer than the original cable which I like because I thought the original one was too short. Never had a problem with it charging my Aria. I know it seems too good to be true, but the quality really is just as good as a $20+ cable you'd find at a local store.

I ran into the same problem with an Aria I bought off of Craigslist. It would kind of charge at first, then it gave up altogether. I found that the end that plugged into the phone had been slightly squished by the previous owner. I just went to Staples and bought a Staples branded MicroUSB cable, it's six feet long and works fine. Granted, it wasn't ebay-cheap but I got the problem handled same day, no screwing around. The nice thing about this cable is it's just as flexible as the original, unlike the MicroUSB charge/sync cables that come with Blackberry phones and the extra length makes it a little more versatile.

Don't mean to resurrect an old thread, but I didn't want to start a new one.
My connection is getting worse every day. It is very aggravating. I'll plug in at night time and wake up to find my phone didn't charge at all. I have to put the cable in at a slight angle to get it to connect.
Using adb and just any file transfer on the computer is almost impossible.
I use the original cable, and sometimes my brother's Captivate cable--both are just as bad.
And the AT&T car charger is a joke. So I think it is the phone, not the cables.

i find that the motorola(backflip) usb doesnt fit snug(still charges & transfers fine, a little slower)
May be just a bit too rough with this little phone

Finally had enough of the cable problem, so I decided to figure out whats wrong. Turns out, I ended up pulling out about a cubic centimeter of dust and lint from in the port (way down in there, a quick glance and it didn't look as bad as it really was.)
Works like a charm, now!

Brivette, glad to see you fixed your issue!
For future reference,
The MicroUSB cable that has become the new standard contains 2 prongs on the end of it. This prong is responsible for ensuring it stays locked into the connector.
The newer MicroB connector is rated at a higher use cycle than the old MiniB type, which is why current devices are moving to it as a standard. It is also designed so that the cheaper cable will bear the wear and damage, rather than the device. The usual culprit is the two latch pins at the top of the male connector which tend to wear and bend eventually causing the cord to become "flaky" or fickle (for a lack of a better term). This is usually the cause of most people's woes. However often times the connections from inside the cable may wear and short out, causing the cord to become dysfunctional. Before sending your phone in for a replacement, I highly recommend trying a second cable.
If changing the cord doesn't work, the problem most likely lies with the phone. While it is possible that the PCB mount has come disconnected from the board, it is more often than not likely that the port has become clogged with debris. So before sending your phone in for service, check the port and ensure that the port is clear and clean of obstruction.
This also goes for charging or data transfer. Sometimes issues with data transfer can arise out of a bad cable. This often happens when people wrap their cord too tightly or kink it, which causes signal interference. It also occurs with frequent use and wear and tear, which is normal.
Take good care of your cord, and it'll be there to last you a long time.

[Q] Problems with the Samsung OEM data/charge cable

Any micro USB cables that you guys would recommend over the OEM original cable.
I seem to be one of the very few that have problems with the original cable fitting snuggly. Yes, the door is open all the way til it clicks, yet the cable easily falls out.
If anyone has a suggestion of another cable or has the same problem with a fix that I just somehow missed after searching for a couple of days, it would be greatly appreciated.

I had the same problem. After about a month of use it just came completely loose and would only stay in if I propped it up a certain way. I tried a friend's charger and it worked fine (likewise my charger was loose on his captivate).
I just took the usb cable from my external hard drive and that one fits very snuggly, unfortunately it is also much shorter

I'm also having this issue. I wonder why...

foofiebeast said:
I had the same problem. After about a month of use it just came completely loose and would only stay in if I propped it up a certain way. I tried a friend's charger and it worked fine (likewise my charger was loose on his captivate).
I just took the usb cable from my external hard drive and that one fits very snuggly, unfortunately it is also much shorter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, this is exactly what I have to do for mine to charge. So I guess I'll have to just start looking for one that will work for me. It seems just any other standard micro USB cable will do the trick. Thanks a lot my friend.

jayrod88 said:
I'm also having this issue. I wonder why...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well upon further inspection, you can see how the top of the phone is curved and if you look at with the USB door open from the top and tilted slightly back you can see how the jack actually looks crooked inside the phone. I'm quite sure that this is because of the curved top parallel to the circuit board that has the jack is too tall. And I think for some reason I might need to trim down the micro end a bit on the front side..it looks like its hitting the front side of the phone.

I'm looking for a replacement cable as well...even OEM is fine. The case around mine cracked off one night when I feel asleep playing on my phone. Mine was always kind of loose compared to the att charging cable which is nice and tight. Does radio shack carry cables like this?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

i called AT&T about this with my cappy and they said that the charging port was bad and sent me a new phone , thats been 3 mo ago and the problem hasnt recurred.
(just a thought)

Search Amazon for "blackberry usb cable micro usb". The first result should be it, it's a very high quality, shielded cable. To get a solid, snug fit I suggest a razor or a knife to easily cut back some of the rubber around the micro tip. Works amazingly well. I could even make it work before I trimmed it.

just to elaborate, the specific micro end is called a "micro b " usb connection.
not to be confused with mini or micro a
of course the other end is just standard.

The place I work has a 5' nice quality cable that fits my Captivate tight. They got them to go with the 2100mA USB Car Charger we sell. Cost on the cable is $ 4.99 plus shipping (about $2.99 first class parcel).
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App

I'm not sure if its quality, or just chance, but I've found that only some 3rd-party cables will work. I've tried a blackberry one that didn't work, and a really cheap one that did.
I would suggest keeping the one you got from samsung, just in case.
I'd like to know if anyone else had issues with cables not working?

I got a Samsung cable designed for the galaxy S on Amazon for like $6 with free shipping.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Jmurph3 said:
Any micro USB cables that you guys would recommend over the OEM original cable.
I seem to be one of the very few that have problems with the original cable fitting snuggly. Yes, the door is open all the way til it clicks, yet the cable easily falls out.
If anyone has a suggestion of another cable or has the same problem with a fix that I just somehow missed after searching for a couple of days, it would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem.
I used some tools(hammer,knife, etc) to fix the cable.
Now my cable works fine!!
Sent from my phone

I just used a razor blade to trim the rubber back, works great.

If you look at your cable. The black part and the silver part(part that goes in your phone) is not in a straight line.
Just try to make it straight. And use a knife to cut the rubber of the edge a little bit.
That should do the trick.
Sent from my phone

I haven't read all of the posts so I don't know if someone has already posted a solution to this problem, so I'll just answer.
I had this same problem. If you notice their are two tiny metal teeth that lock the charger into the phone. These teeth no longer stick out as far as they used to. That is why you are having this problem. The teeth are not bent. It is the micro usb plug that is around it. All that you need to do is give it a firm bush on the table. Bend the plug away from the teeth so that they stick out more. This fixed my problem.
When you put it back into your phone, you will notice that the plug is no longer in the phone at an angle.

bluemoon1221 said:
If you look at your cable. The black part and the silver part(part that goes in your phone) is not in a straight line.
Just try to make it straight. And use a knife to cut the rubber of the edge a little bit.
That should do the trick.
Sent from my phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should saved me from buying 3 more cables. I distroyed my OEM cable to make a jig because I bricked my phone. I ordered 3 sets of cables and they all had the same problem.... Usb kept popping off. So I was just about to go out and order 3 more sets if cables, this time OEM untill I decided to read this tread. It never occured to me that it was fitting in well because of the extra rubber on the connector. I trimmed it down and now the cable snapped in perfectly like it was supposed to. Thanks for the fix!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I'm afraid of buying the wrong cable off Amazon. There is so much out there. Can anyone post a link?

[email protected] said:
I haven't read all of the posts so I don't know if someone has already posted a solution to this problem, so I'll just answer.
I had this same problem. If you notice their are two tiny metal teeth that lock the charger into the phone. These teeth no longer stick out as far as they used to. That is why you are having this problem. The teeth are not bent. It is the micro usb plug that is around it. All that you need to do is give it a firm bush on the table. Bend the plug away from the teeth so that they stick out more. This fixed my problem.
When you put it back into your phone, you will notice that the plug is no longer in the phone at an angle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this is getting old, but it took me about 2 hours to find an answer that WASN'T recommending to just make sure the slider was all the way open. For no reason at all, my phone cable just wouldn't hold a real connection this morning... your answer saved the day

For cables that are good quality and cheap, go to www.meritline.com ....... I have never gotten a bad cable from them, typically I use their HDMI cables but the USB cables are less complex and work just as well. My last usb cable was one of theirs.

Resoldering/hot glue manuever micro usb

Ok, so my micro usb port broken. Even though that was the case, I could still bend it to make it charg.(Note I got this phone at the I/O conference last year, it broke almost immedietly, I didn't attend this years)
So then I got a replacement for 15$ (<< A LOT OF MONEY)
Resoldered it, but I was unsure of how stable it was, since there are only about 2 places it is soldered to.
I put cable in, and then I touch it quite a bit, and bam, whole connector falls of. Tried to repair, but then a bit of solder falls into the micro usb port, and it's like impossibe to get it out of, and I can't put the connector in...
Moar 15$
This time, I put a bit of solder, and then hotglue over the joints.
I though victory, until I realize I can't plug the connector in anymore, don't know why it wouldn't. Just won't fit(Maybe recieved bad, never checked)...
15$ more dollars now...
Anyone else successfully repair the micro usb port on these? I am going to just try a hot glue approach, with no soldering next try.
I don't have any warranty on this, as it was a gift after all.

When my port went out, the techs at Sprint told me that it was impossible to fix. I don't know if that's true, or if it was just cheaper to give me a new one.
Sent from my Evo using Tapatalk

I tried to repair my wife's with no luck. I eventually took the phone back to Sprint repair store and they replaced it no questions asked, although we had the warranty service. I did find a few articles online if you search google they should come up. I tried their methods but the problem I always had was I could not get the solder to flow well enough to bond to the connector. From the looks of the connector it is a flush mount which really makes soldering impossible unless you have one of the factory wave type solder machines.

Well, the connector I bought kind of goes thru the holes on the EVO. I will just simply hotglue it, no solder... should stay stuck hopefully.
I just hope the metal makes decent contact without more solder. Will report back when I fail/win. It would be awesome if I could just whine to Sprint for a replacement, but uh, no warranty + a gift phone =low chance
I bought this for others, http://cgi.ebay.com/MICRO-USB-CHARG...ps=63&clkid=9172696127650377355#ht_997wt_1139
Note the two feet sticking out, the generic ones don't have these, that would be hell to solder. I just hate the fact that these things are so fragile and expensive.

Got it soldered.
I had to have steady aim pro(perk for Cod4 )
With a very little bit of solder I got it sticking.
Then hot glued all over, like your average male's jizz amount of hot glue I used.(That's actually a good camparison before you get grossed out)
It works great.