Basic Skills: 5 Common Connectors and How to Handle Them!

If you’ve done a repair, odds are that you’ve come up against a connector or two. If you’re new to repair, like me, or you’re unfamiliar with the internals of your device, the variety of connectors you encounter can be confusing and tricky. The first time I tried to repair my iPhone, I totally busted my display cable connector because I tried to incorrectly reattach it. Turns out, knowing how to handle connectors is super important in repair! So, let’s go over some of the most common types and how to approach them!

We have a guide as well!

Our Pro Tech Toolkit has everything you need to handle cables!

Timestamps!
00:00 Intro
00:28 Ribbon Connector
00:53 ZIF Connector
01:16 Flat-Top Connector
01:44 Coaxial Connector
02:09 Bracket Connector

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[EncikSejati]

more content of this plz, my first time with display cable. just destroy everything lmao

[rcollinge]

This is a well done video, like she said for beginners.
Keep up the good work.

[brendankiyohara]

Who watches iFixit even though we don’t have any issues with our electronics?

[NeilSnapePhotography]

Very good. One big tip: when prying up connectors or lock tabs AVOID putting a sponger or your fingernails around any local resistors capacitors or anything else. So many expensive board repairs are caused by breaking the micro parts off their pads.

[robertcalkjr.]

Don't feel bad - I broke one as well.

[ooloncolluphid]

I second the suggestions on mic audio, other than that top notch!

[walnut_trail_farm]

Love your videos! I successfully repaired a MacBook Air screen with your tool set and video.

How about doing repairs on car electronics? I have a Non functioning Honda Odyssey DVD player I would love help with 😊

[Throwboy]

What a terrific and helpful video for everyone. I totally botched a MacBook Air repair because of a broken connector. Thanks all!

[coffeemakerbottomcracked]

Jerryrigeverything should join iFixit lol

[wolf]

Any advice how to safely disconnect the 3-4 pin style connector often used in laptop for fans or speakers, especially the older ones. Once i got 10y old lenovo thinkpad laptop with 2 pin connector, but because the laptop was never fully disassembled during 10 years of usage, the connector was completely stuck, more likely the white plastic of connectors were melted together. I have ended up with stripped connector pins from the solder on the motherbord and the whole plastic simply crumbled under my finger. I soldered pins back to the motherboard and used glue gun to provide at least some isolation. I know you mostly work on new electronic which has zero wear and tear, but trust me, to disassembly some 5 years old daily used common laptop is much more difficult than new one.

[kristoradion]

Do we always need to disconnect battery? As some laptops have separate cover for the battery, which means we have to open almost all of the back covers just to install ssd.

[KofolaDealer]

ZIF connectors are a nightmare, they always break

[namrofni]

Can zif connectors be repaired? I've broken the small clamp that you push down. Thanks in advance

[alexthebest]

I hate large connectors made in white plastic common in old electronics like notebooks.
Those connectors are horrendously strong and i can’t figure out how to make force to disconnect properly.

[muhammedfarzeen]

2nd comment and love from #kerala#india

[shul]

I'm here after I bought a ps vita with a broken right joystick(didn't realize it was broken).. which then led me to open the console, just to pull that ZIF connector to break it(didn't realized it had a lock to hold it in place)

Now I will have to use hot glue and tape to keep that tiny ribbon connected in the hopes that the new Joycon works...

[JackSmith-tjif]

those connectors are easy, try a samsung phone camera connector

[Adri_BlackBeast]

Ha faltado el conector más típico en los nuevos dispositivos como en los iPhone, iPad… Lo que no sé es como se llama el tipo de conector 🤷‍♂️ Pero buen vídeo 👍👍

[dana]

Good video but maybe invest in some kind of acoustic foam to remove the echo.

[henrysanchez]

Good video; but the background music is annoying. Don't really need it.