How To Fix Micro USB

I am sure everyone reading this has at least one product that has a broken Micro USB connector, making it useless.
In this video, we explore ways to fix this problem once and for all.

[michaelosmon]

Came here to learn something, only to discover I already knew something. I appreciate your approach to explaining everything, it is done in such a way that I cannot possibly miss the point. Thank you

[juliannesermon]

I still love barrel jacks even though they've fallen out of fashion. USB C with PD is technically more versatile but also ridiculously complex.

[HeathLedgersChemist]

Would soldering also work or does it have to be sodder?

[jarrettdoesstuff]

Agreed with everything except your final conclusion - I think sadly neither the consumers nor the product designers have any power to effect meaningful change. Even if the product designers convince management to produce a more expensive and robust design, and even if the consumers buy it, its profit margins will be slimmer and it will be seen as a failure. Disposable objects are more profitable than robust ones. The system is at fault, not the designers and consumers!

[qweqqweq]

This is the new gold standard for repair videos. Shou6be number one in trending and everyone in Congress and the president should watch it.

[johnsonlam]

Thanks for your example Leo. Totally agree with you, it's terrible designed and break so easily, my grandma always miss the shape and insert it wrong, hostile to people that not having good eyes.

[redbarron]

Disposable vape pens entered chat. I love getting those to salvage so many good pieces and parts. I am still pondering the thought of a good use for the negative pressure switch on some. I am still very new to the electronic world but enjoying my quest so far. Thank you sir for the great content

[SECX]

Hi Leo,
I really like the topics on your channel. Especially your crystal-clear viewpoint on what really matters from a customer perspective. Regardless of what is common on the market.

Maybe if you like I would like to hear your observations about car dashboard design. As some video idea. If that interest you.

[tiger]

Yeah. I hear ya, brother. It's amazing the number of people that will regurgitate the praises made of the micro connector, but when it comes right down to it, I have a pile of useless cords, cords that only work with some devices, some devices that won't allow any micro usb cord to charge them -- It's a nightmare. Then, that QC charging "standard" came out and it's just a ... well. yeah. Nothing works with anything and they've broken it all.

[laosgpsmapmidnitemapper]

Great video, I have a stack of faulty USB micro, Sony, Dji, And new expensive Garmin devices made with USB micro; which, are supposed to be used in rugged environments!! Maddening! Thanks for the video

[s.wajeehulhassannaqvi]

You said all what I wanted to say. Very very true. I hope more people have such logical approach towards things

[babla]

such a great youtube channel, please never stop making videos for us!

[stephanie.treanor]

Thank you for speaking against the micro usb chargers/connectors with the ratios to back it up!! I will be more mindful of avoiding things that require it.

[engrenage]

I like what you say about "making landfills". I asked you recently about your water level sensor.. I have been outraged for many years how manufacturers do less than the minimum when it comes to products. I have mostly given up hope on getting them to change spontaneously : rather, I am looking for people like you to build products "made by those who use them".

[NolanHergert]

Hi Leo,
A few points, looking forward to your feedback.
* I found that reinforcing the through hole pins on the micro USB connector with some additional solder on the bottom side prevented me from breaking the connector. Granted it's not the default behavior in the industry and I was only using a 1 inch Wemos D1 Mini (not much opposing leverage), but it worked surprisingly great! The cable side did bend in the experiment, but it wasn't catastrophic either since it was soldered internally. Plus, it is easily replaceable with a cable found at a neighborhood Dollar Store.
* I was not able to reproduce the "bending the cable connector by hand" that you showed in your video. I needed about 1 inch of leverage on the board side.
* Do you have a suggestion for an alternative connector? In my particular case, I am working on a board that allows multiple LED strips / devices to be connected by the end-user to a base module without soldering. It needs to be water resistant and as reasonably compact as possible (immediate application is a bicycle helmet with up to 4 strips), but not high insertion cycle. I would prefer something like keyed through-hole 90 degree .1" headers (as I think you would too), but I am not able to source them with the tough cable sheathing that USB cables come with, they're not as water resistant, require through hole soldering (not *that* bad), and apparently don't look as nice as a professionally injection molded strain reliefed cable. And getting a replacement cable if you do break or cut through it is tough.
Thanks for your advice.
Nolan

[TheDannyMcGee]

I always blamed the little "fangs" on the flat side of the plug — there's just no way those things provide enough springy-ness to withstand years of connect/disconnect cycles.

Curious what your experience has been with USB-C though. I don't think I've ever had one fail on me.

[maxj]

I hate my mini usb ports found on my go pros. Thanks a lot for sharing this. Now I'm going to fix my Wasabi charger.

[bikhoda]

Totally agree with your point. Cannot tell how many devices I've lost due to this crappy mini usb cables. At least 2 mechanical keyboards on top of my head.

[Johadart]

Hi Leo, I’ve found that the mini usb is more robust than the micro usb, I’ve broken many of the micro’s due to the the fact of probable cause, ie: in upside down in most cases, but more so how flimsy they are if bent or trodden on in an accidental way, hence forcing them in, normally they break, as I have found in most cases, so solution to the problem is.. ready for it….. bring out more usb-c connections in everything, or leave it as mini usb, it worked, and I was taught, if it’s not broken leave it alone. Rant over, just my objective view that’s all, like your videos, YOU MAKE SENSE, not STUPIDITY.. keep up the great work pal.. 🤙🏼🇦🇺

[georgescott]

This is part of planned obsolescence. If that doesn't get you the built-in lithium ion battery with a lifetime of 500 recharge cycles (and zero deep discharges) will.