this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2024
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[–] [email protected] 26 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (6 children)

Side note, does anyone know some sort of cable sleeve similar to this that instead grabs onto the device and stabilizes the port?

As much as I like type-C, the ports on my laptop have worn down significantly and aren't always stable

[–] [email protected] 16 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Depends on what you mean by stable.

It's likely dust in the port. If you gently clean it out with a toothpick or other small flat instrument you will get it to seat better. If dust is the issue, you should see some lint at the bottom of the port.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Sorry for not being clear, I'm not talking about connection stability, I mean the type-c port (female) becomes flimsy over the years and doesn't hold the connector (male) securely anymore

[–] [email protected] 12 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

Neither are they. If there's dust or fuzz down in there, it doesn't physically seat correctly, and ends up being wobbly.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

This isn't usually the cause. If the cable isn't inserting fully then yes it can be dust and that often helps the problem, but the retention mechanism itself wears out over time leading to the cable slipping out easily and depending on the design things can get wobbly. I work with electronics for a living and with laptops more often than not it's the latter category with dust not being too common of an issue since they aren't kept in pockets. Phones on the other hand it's usually dust, but I don't interact with many USB C phones old enough for wear to be an issue.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Have you tried a different cable? With usb c it should be the cable that becomes flimsy and not the port.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 9 months ago

Personally I have the opinion that usb-c should be a connector for mobile devices only and there should be something with the size of a type a or b for stationary stuff. The size makes the connector too flimsy

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

Yes, but they typically require that the side on the laptop is also prepared for it. Look for example how the usb ports on toughbooks look. They have a screw next to them.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (5 children)

USB-C has been really fragile for me. Cables tend to only last a couple of months on my phone. People say it is a robust connector type, so idk if my phone is defective and destroying them, or if people are being overly generous about the connector resilience.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 9 months ago (2 children)

This was my experience with micro usb, and everyone seemed to agree they were total shit. As for USB-C, I've never even heard of someone having trouble with the actual cord. Generally the issue is that there is lint or something in the charge port. I don't think I've ever thrown out a USB-C cord, to my memory.

In short, check for lint, and if that's not the issue then yeah it really might be your phone. Mind if I ask what kind of phone you have?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

I've had a couple usb-C cords die, and a couple of outlet adapters. Always fun trying to troubleshoot what the issue is.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Pixel 7 Pro. It's definitely not lint. I'll try the cables with other devices after they stop working and they're dead. I've resorted to buying the expensive cables and even those eventually wear out.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I've had issues with the cable on my pixel 6 pro not staying seated - so I plug the phone in and if there's slight movement and it stops charging, very annoying... I also had the same issue with my pixel 5, so much so that I had to get it repaired. I don't do anything unusual wear and tear wise (like working on a building site), and since the 5, I always make sure the port is debris free before plugging in.

It's frustrating because I have an iPhone for work and the connection on that is reassuringly solid.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, the iPhone cable is nice. It's just a simple male to female, not this double inception stuff that USB-C is. But USB-C is faster, and more universal. I guess the problem is probably my phone. I already had to get it replaced once because the port burned out. Great job Google! Nice flagship phone you've got there.

[–] Zink 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Do you often use your phone hand-held while it is charging? The devices should be able to handle it, of course, but it sounds like you've had a lot of issues!

Agreed on the Apple lightning connector though. I am happy to see USB-c finally becoming the standard, but it's mechanically a nice connector.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

I wouldn't say "often", but occasionally. I guess a few times per week for 10-20 minutes or so.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (1 children)

My question is on the cables. I learned way too quickly that the quality of the cables matters a ton with USB C.

I haven't had any problems with USB C cables failing other than the one one of my kids chewed on

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

Worse. They're both under the age of 5

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago

No, they're obviously baby goats.

[–] Strykker 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I've had mine for like 4 years at this point and they are still perfect. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say you are either buying cheap shit or are abusive as fuck with your cables.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Your limb has snapped, and you are injured.

Neither of those things are true, but I think my phone port might be frying them. I already had to return 1 Pixel 7 Pro for a dead port that burned up a cable on its way out.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Have you tried using a different charger? What about your other devices? Do you have issues with them? I wonder if the charger is what is damaging them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

It might be the charger. It's a 30w, 5amp charger from Costco.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 9 months ago

I don't really know why your cables would be falling so fast, but to be fair part of the design of USB C is that, inverting the design of USB A, the connector is on the cable side, in the hope that the cable should be the part that deteriorates first. That way fewer devices get trashed for having dodgy sockets.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Maybe they're lonely and just want to talk to someone about it.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You can use some of that heat shrink wire wrap to create a stiff cable where you want and how big

[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

A big stiff cable is exactly what we're looking for.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I prefer laying something a bit softer, personally.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Like a full excavatory dispulsion of liquid?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

Not quite as entertaining as that. Maybe a 3 or 4 on the Bristol scale.