I just bought my daughter, 12, her first phone, a LG G4 F500k. The problem is that the phone keeps destroying USB cables. She charges it on my Tronsmart quick-charge 2.0 charger, the one with three ports. I've used that charger for more than a year now with the supplied Tronsmart USB cable on a G Flex 2 and a Samsung 7 Edge and the charger and cable have always performed as expected.
Now, ever since she started using it, first the Tronsmart cable went bust. Wouldn't work on the G4 or my phones, with the fast charger or other chargers. Today, the third USB cable went bust. A definite pattern is emerging here with each new USB cable lasting a week max.
One thing is that the busted cables still charge smaller devices like my mp3 player or bluetooth headset.
Another thing is that the G4 does show the fast charge notification while the USB cable is working and charges fast as well getting just, I guess, regular warm.
Could it be that my daughter messed up the G4's charge port while inserting/pulling out the cable?
I would really appreciate any help/ suggestions with this issue because I have finally run out of spare cables.
C'mon, guys... Anyone else experience this?
It happened to me too, I still don't understand how can a G4 charge port damage a USB cable? It happened to me 2 times.
In frustration ( I shouldn't have done this) I connected the USB cable to the G4 charge port and furiously bend the end metal by almost to 30* degrees because the USB cable was loose inside the G4 charge port , then I got another USB cable, the putting into G4 charge port felt tight and proper. Luckily my beloved G4 is fine.
Alright an update...
I tried a lot of the tricks I'd read about wonky micro-USB cables. I tried bending and lifting out the tabs at top (narrow) end which are present on some of the cables. I tried pressing with a needle and lifting out the tabs at the wider end... these tabs are on every cable... The cables would, sometime, start working again for a charge or two but died again.
On the 25th of Nov, 2016, I took the phone to a professional repairs guy. Upon a cursory examination, he declared that the G4's charging port was perfectly fine. I insisted that the damn thing was eating all my cables. Luckily, I had brought along one of the recent dead cables.
The repair guy looked at the charge port under some pro-microscope thingie and said there was carbon damage. Then, he stripped apart the USB cable I'd taken with me and checked that one of the terminals was shorted out.
After extensive examination, he concluded and confirmed that it indeed was the charging port that was effing up the cables because there was carbon corrosion on it that transferred to the wire... something to that effect. Interestingly, he didn't find any evidence of water damage on the inside of the phone... motherboard etc. Just the charging port.
He didn't have an original G4 replacement charging port at the moment so he applied some dielectric grease on the port and told me to use only one cable with the G4.
I can confirm that like all my other phones, the G4 was not exposed to water or about as much exposed to, I guess, ambient humidity as my other phones.
.........
Well, these are my findings after my personal debugging and pro consultation. Flagship, my ass.
-------------------------
Today, it has been 14 days since the visit to the technician. The present USB cable has lasted for 14 days now (and still working great) which is 10 days past the previous record...
My recommendation is to try and take off any oxidation/rust from the phone's charging contact (the technician just used a flat long, thin metal object to scratch off the buildup), then applying a dab of dielectric grease. It would be a good idea to turn the phone off and take out the battery before attempting this.
From what I've heard, silicon spray (WD40 brand etc.) can be used as well by spraying some first on a cotton bud and then coating the contact with it.
Try this before anything else if you are experiencing symptoms similar to what I stated in the original post.
Related
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.
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.
I just purchased this unit. is it normal that the Stock Cable is Hard to Plug on the Charging Port of the Phone..
i need to try so many times before i can plug the charging cable to charging port of the phone before i can plug it successfully. i'm thinking of breaking the charging port if this is the case? Anyone who have the same concern? Thanks
bong0x00 said:
I just purchased this unit. is it normal that the Stock Cable is Hard to Plug on the Charging Port of the Phone..
i need to try so many times before i can plug the charging cable to charging port of the phone before i can plug it successfully. i'm thinking of breaking the charging port if this is the case? Anyone who have the same concern? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this as well. hopefully if something gets broken its more likely to be the connector on the cable than the charging port. I have tried a few other cables as well and all are pretty difficult to insert.
Well the way I see it would you rather have it flop around and be loose, or have a night tight fit?
On a more serious note I had the same issue when I first recieved my F400S. After a week or so it got better, you can always try an older micro usb cable thats more broken in to avoid this issue.
when i first got the phone it was like what you've desribed. but after a while, it wasn't an issue anymore, i guess its a good sign that the phone is brand spanking new.
Same for me, hard To plug in ...
Sent from my LG-D855 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Hi,
I tilt the usb-connector up (just a bit) while plugging it in.
Greetz
It requires a downward angle tilting towards the device to insert.
Same for me, but once you're using qi charging and Wi-Fi file transfer, you'll hardly ever use the port.
got it! it was like virg** phone. haha..
wow same issue here.
bong0x00 said:
I just purchased this unit. is it normal that the Stock Cable is Hard to Plug on the Charging Port of the Phone..
i need to try so many times before i can plug the charging cable to charging port of the phone before i can plug it successfully. i'm thinking of breaking the charging port if this is the case? Anyone who have the same concern? Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Only way to get it in is by tilting the cable downward. Tried few cables, they are all doing the same thing. Exchange perhaps?
Sini-Siki said:
Only way to get it in is by tilting the cable downward. Tried few cables, they are all doing the same thing. Exchange perhaps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tilting the cable to plug in seems to be the norm on pretty much every G3. I doubt exchanging it will help.
Once you've done it for a while, it should become pretty easy to do.
Tilting the cable and just dealing with it are fine, but what happens when you stay finding usb cables that don't want to charge your G3 properly? I have one (very nice) 10ft cable and my phone plays a game of connecting and disconnecting while trying to charge with this cord. This courts does not give me the same problems on other devices. However the G3 charges just fine on all my other cables. Not using this cable is an obvious answer but i worry that the problem could get worse and what if I start having problems with other chargers?
For now, the solution is to tilt the cord slightly downward (or upward, depending on your perspective) as the port is just sliiiiightly more flush with the opening. My advice is to get used to doing this. A broken charger port is really a PITA, so taking an extra 2 seconds to plug it in is the prudent choice. My dad gave me a lot of good advice when I was growing up, and one of the gems turns out to be "don't force things."
As mentioned, once we get some wireless charging back covers on a more accessible basis, we'll all just use wireless charging and never plug in again. Except in the car.
The cable from my old GS4 plugs in very very easily. I haven't tried charging with it tho. I use it mainly for usb mtp.
Posted from my LG-D850
Difficult at first. It did get better for me though. I too thought i had damaged it or that it had shipped that way. And I also thought I was just breaking it more each time I charged and contemplated exchanging LOL. Make sure cord is facing the right way first (im still trying to put it in upside down sometimes), then you do have to tilt it down a bit to get in initially and then it tilts slightly up before fully inserting. It was very diificult to do the first couple days. Day 5 and its way easy. Hope this has helped and put your mind at ease This is my first Android phone and i'm luvin it!
the past new phones i had. was always hard at first to plug it in.
just gotta lube it up
Any new updates on this? I guess tilting the cable a bit is working, but will it ever get to the point it will go straight in? It really appears that this is not a defect but a LG design for the port.
Sent from my LG G3
still the same.. still virgin after many charging cycle
I agree with what was previously stated, after a week with phone, I've become used to putting the cable in. I'm pleased with the tight fit as I've had devices where it feels loose and unsecured.
It ain't nothing but a G thing baby... Lg G3 LGSL990
Hi all,
I'd like to know that if your Note 8 charging port is too weak to be broken? Mine is changed for the second time and it's broken now. So the third time it will be replaced soon. It is so annoyed. I use it with extremely care, but I don't know if the charging port is too delicate.
Thanks for your reply anyway.
No it is not weak I have gone through 2 samsung oem cables and 2 aftermarket cables and 1 of 3 Sony Ericsson cables. The Sony cables are *****'n and I won't use anything else.
You can replace the usb daughter board easily. I thought my usb was killing cables and had removed my daughter board and noticed that the usb frame had been stressed by how the cable tugs on it. I press the top and bottom with my fingers to narrow the opening back to original. As the replacement was to gauge any physical differences.
I suggest not to use the tablet when it is pluged in to the usb charger. It will keep the plug and connector from failing.
I've had my G4 since almost launch day and within weeks the supplied USB cable stopped charging the phone. I thought it was a cable problem, but it worked fine with other devices.
I tried other cables with the G4 and these still charged it so I thought nothing more of it until charging degraded with every USB cable I own to where the phone would only charge 20-30% during an overnight charge and the phone would frequently not recognise it was plugged in at all. I contacted LG who did a repair under warranty and all was fine.
I've now had the repaired phone back for about 3 weeks and the same problems are starting up again and it's only a matter of time until I am forced to return again for a repair.
Is anyone else having similar problems? I thought I may have just had an unlucky manufacturing problem, and the LG reps confirmed that to repair my phone they basically replace all the internal circuit boards and components rather than just replacing the individual component that is faulty (in this case the USB/charging port)
Basic debugging includes asking stupid questions, so please forgive but still answer any of those
Are you using a different charger? If so, check if that one is within specifications and if you do send in for repair again, use a different charger.
Are you propping up the device at an odd/weird angle or in a dock of some sort with the cable attached?
(As they replaced the entire print, it's probably not this, just the USB-micro port bent or broken.)
You could double check the wall outlets being used, there might be some kind of electrical problem there.
Either using all kinds of fancy electical testing gadgets, or stick a USB light into the hub or charger, does it flicker?
When sending it back for repairs, did they check the stock charger as well?
Hopefully these questions help you find any logical or plausible cause.
FreezyExp said:
Basic debugging includes asking stupid questions, so please forgive but still answer any of those
Are you using a different charger? If so, check if that one is within specifications and if you do send in for repair again, use a different charger.
Are you propping up the device at an odd/weird angle or in a dock of some sort with the cable attached?
(As they replaced the entire print, it's probably not this, just the USB-micro port bent or broken.)
You could double check the wall outlets being used, there might be some kind of electrical problem there.
Either using all kinds of fancy electical testing gadgets, or stick a USB light into the hub or charger, does it flicker?
When sending it back for repairs, did they check the stock charger as well?
Hopefully these questions help you find any logical or plausible cause.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi FreezyExp,
1. I am using the standard charger that came with the phone, but this has not been repaired/replaced. I have tried other chargers too, but all the same issue.
2. No weird propping up or anything like that. If I hold my phone while it is plugged in it is constantly vibrating as the charger connects and disconnects, and if I place it on the desk to charge I have to ensure that I have at least 3-4" of cabe "on the desk" to give it enough support to make the connection.
3. Wall connection is fine and I have tried it with a range of outlets around the home, both with extension sockets used and plugged directly into the wall and there is no different. No flickering light when using a USB light either.
4. When I sent it back all they asked me to return was the main section of the handset - so no battery or rear cover, no cables or chargers etc
It does seem to be the same issue as last time, a USB connection becoming loose from the main motherboard, but it seems weird that I have had the same issue twice in the space of 4-5 months.
I've been having some sort of problem with my G4 usb port. If I plug it in to a computer, it will lose connection and get a connection again if I barely touch the end of the cord at the phone end. I've tried many different cords and different usb ports on my computer, but it still has problems.
I can't fast charge, either. When I plug it in to fast charge, it actually starts discharging even faster. I've had some extreme battery life problems, too. It drained from 100-36 the other night with everything disabled, and it's been doing that kind of thing a lot lately. I'm guessing that the charging port is what's messing up my battery life because it won't charge correctly.
Never dropped it or anything.
I got my G4 on January 24 and my USB port has also failed. I am getting a replacement from Verizon, but am concerned that a six month old phone has this issue.
I also own a G4 H815. A while ago the phone started not receiving any charge from the cable and I would have to prop it up from right under the cable's micro usb end. Thought it was because it was bent inside the port and not making connection with the cable so I had the port replaced. Now I'm experiencing the same problem and I think it might be the cable that's already gone kaput and is effing up the port itself. I took the phone to the same place to get the port replaced again and bought new cables (I lost both the original adapter and the cable, which were charging slow anyway. Now using a 2A Asus adapter which works great) and when I asked the guy at the repair shop, he says it's a chronic issue with G4 devices. I don't really understand how it would happen twice in just a few months even with a new charger port. What should I make of this? Did they replace my port with an already faulty one, cahrged me full price and now trying to sell this bogus or am I really doomed with this phone?