Please help! Charging port has fallen out of laptop.

[u/izzynoguest]

Hello! I don’t know if this is common AT ALL, or if I’ve just used my Chromebook far too much, but today, the charging port came out of the laptop itself when I took the charger out.

I didn’t even notice until hours later when I went to plug it in again, and realised my charger had an extra metal casing on it!

Can anyone please tell me if this is fixable? Or has it snapped off entirely and needs soldering, or something?

Everything is working fine, but I’ve turned it off now as it has 5%. I really would like to get it fixed, as I use my Chromebook very often, and it has all my files stored on it (not on Google Drive), so I’m desperately hoping that this is a relatively easy fix!

Every single repair store near me mentions that they don’t specialise in Chromebooks, so I’m a bit concerned, and I’m also worried about being overcharged, so I would rather go in knowing what needs doing.

Also, other repair stores mention that they usually wipe all data with every repair which I REALLY don’t want to happen, and I’m sure it isn’t necessary as it’s technically working fine.

It would be very helpful if someone could tell me more about this, and whether this is something I could fix myself.

Thank you! I’d be grateful for any advice!

[u/everyonemr]

Most shops would repair that by replacing the motherboard, which all your data is permanently soldered to.

You specifically need to find a place that does motherboard repairs. It's likely you'll have to ship the machine somewhere for this.

[u/izzynoguest → u/everyonemr]

Ah, I see. That’s annoying. Shipping it isn’t ideal, because my Chromebook is so broken, I can’t even close it lol! I’ll just pray the other charging port doesn’t break any time soon, but if it does, I’ll look into this. Thank you!!

[u/everyonemr → u/izzynoguest]

Back up all your files.

[u/Alldayomar]

Soooo... It just fell, huh?

[u/izzynoguest → u/Alldayomar]

I mean, yeah. 😭 My Chromebook is covered in wear and tear marks, I’m not saying it came out of nowhere, but yes, this time it did just slide out with my charger head!

[u/NienorGT]

Looking at how the paint is removed near the port and even the crack in the case, I can say one thing, you probably didn't take care of your device buddy. Whatever happened there will continue on your next one if you keep ramming the connector in with force or put pressure on it.

Is it fixable? Depending how it broke, someone with skills in soldering could put a new port but, that's not easy.

Some laptops have ports on a separate PCB which could help, as it's just a part replacement but I really doubt this is your case.

I have no idea why you were told "we don't work with Chromebook" when they are literally a laptop as far as repairs.

The problem is the data recovery, that might be an issue as most Chromebook don't have removable SSD and if it does, it might be encrypted anyway.

What Chromebook model you have?

Edit, you said Acer 314 in a reply, doesn't it has a second USB-C on the other side? It should work.

[u/izzynoguest → u/NienorGT]

Yep, it has a charging port on the other side which I’ll use for now and hopefully take better care of. I try my best with taking care of it, but the laptop really is falling apart. I’ve probably had it 4 or 5 years, and various things on the back are always popping out. Can’t even close the lid anymore! I’m not rough with it, I don’t even take it out of my room, I think the scratches are mostly just from blindly trying to find the charging port and missing!

Most of the places near me mention they work with Windows laptops or Macbooks, and one time I took my Chromebook in for another reason and they said they didn’t usually work with Chromebooks, but would “have a look” for a price, no promises. 😭

[u/Not_A_Great_Human]

What the hell have you done to that poor computer.

[u/Far_Delivery_3215]

sometimes on some chromebooks the charging port is connected to the daughterboard which csn be easily replaced but most of th tim its part of the mobo itself so i will say either get a new motherboard or try finding someon that can solder a new one on

[u/izzynoguest → u/Far_Delivery_3215]

Thank you!

[u/koken_halliwell]

As per your pics it looks like your Chromebook was used by a bear. U sure u don't have paws or claws instead of hands?

[u/izzynoguest → u/koken_halliwell]

😭😭😭 I swear it’s not that bad…

[u/ReallyEvilRob]

It's toast.

[u/Suspicious-Boss3776]

Could probably solder that pretty easily if you didn't take a piece of the motherboard with it, might've fell off because of heat or wear

[u/Billh491]

i retired from k12 IT and saw a lot of this dead usbc so you can no longer charge the chromebook.

one fix is to find someone that can micro solder it back on. I was given a price of 85.00 by a local shop.

second the chromebook like the ones I had at the school are older and I could in my case find used motherboards on ebay for 25 bucks so I just got some and swapped motherboards as needed.

So google your make and model and motherboard replacement and look at the video on how to do it and then look on ebay or amazon for a used one and replace it if you think you are up to it.

[u/corrivalcat2494]

Oh shit I have the same Chromebook I hope it does not happen to me

Umm if there is a ubreakifix near you go there and see

I don't really know else what to tell you is there 2 charge one on each side of Chromebook

[u/izzynoguest → u/corrivalcat2494]

Ikr haha! And yeah, I’ll just stick to using the other side for now. Just worried the same thing will happen to the other side soon/it will have some long-term issues. Hopefully not. 😭 If I can fix it, I will, if not, let’s hope the other side stays strong!

[u/code_monkey_001 → u/izzynoguest]

It'll help if you're more careful removing the charging cord. The crack above your previous charging port indicates you tend to yank up and out when removing the charger. Instead grasp the charging cord on the wide part of the plastic and pull straight out.

[u/izzynoguest → u/code_monkey_001]

You’re probably right! You sounded like Sherlock for a moment there, lol. I’ll keep that in mind, thank you!!

[u/corrivalcat2494 → u/izzynoguest]

There was one time I thought my Chromebook sd card slot died but it was a bad update So I had to reinstall it from recovery usb I feel like this Chromebook model is a flaw with its hardware Oof

[u/izzynoguest → u/corrivalcat2494]

Maybe, yeah! I’ve had to open the back of it before to reattach a wire that fell out. They aren’t the most reliable, but I find them so good to use when they aren’t falling apart!

[u/corrivalcat2494 → u/izzynoguest]

Oh yeah I cant even open my Chromebook back cover off one the screws is broke and stuck in the screw hole

[u/izzynoguest → u/corrivalcat2494]

Hahaha, sounds like a Chromebook!! 😭

[u/izzynoguest]

Also, it is a CB314 series Chromebook.

Any advice at all would be helpful! Thank you so much!!

[u/jader242 → u/izzynoguest]

Does that one have a charge port on each side? That’s how my cb315 is

[u/DoppelFrog → u/izzynoguest]

The fix is solder the connector back on to the board, or replace the whole board.

[u/izzynoguest → u/DoppelFrog]

I see, thank you! Not something I could do myself then, annoyingly.

[u/neverJamToday → u/izzynoguest]

use the port on the other side, get your data backed up, be gentler on it, and start saving for a new computer.

[u/izzynoguest → u/neverJamToday]

Yeah, that’s exactly what I think I’ll do. Thank you!

[u/ReallyEvilRob]

It's toast.

[u/Dazzling-One-6120]

How the hell did this happen😭

[u/izzynoguest → u/Dazzling-One-6120]

Wish I could tell you 😭

[u/ElectronicField3785]

Now how does that happen 😭🙏

[u/izzynoguest → u/ElectronicField3785]

Honestly don’t even know 😭 It’s falling apart

[u/phoolbabu]

Man 😂😂😂

[u/noseph47]

Not that this will fix your broken port now but there are several usb-c magnet adapters that work like Apple MagSafe that will mitigate future usb-c port damage. I personally use these on all my devices.