Question Can old micro-USB cord cause a short if pressed into a USB-c device?

[Titanion]

I had an old micro-USB port wire connected to my computer. I still use it for a music player. I couldn't remember if it was my usb-c for my newer devices (wasn't wearing my glasses), so I tried to plug it into my Amazon Kindle Fire 10 HD to see if it fit.

I might have pushed a little bit, but not with any force. But my Kindle will not turn on now. And I saw no light when I tried to charge it; not sure where the charging light is, for it has a case and I haven't looked for it. I used it last two days ago, and I didn't charge it afterward. I think it had above 50% battery life. After this Darwin Award mishap, I charged it for 4 hours, and no change.

The kicker is I didn't turn it on to see if it could turn on before I attempted to plug it into my computer. I wanted to copy some files over before a trip, and i just wanted to see if it would fit. But I think I caused a short.

Can old micro-USB cord cause a short if pressed into a USB-c device? What are my options? Thanks

 

[Eximo]

They aren't the same size, so yes? Probably broken, only a visual inspection can tell you something. But also given the way the pins are packed in Type-C it is entirely possible an internal short would not be visible.

 

[Titanion]

I am out of town now, but left it plugged in charging. I hope it was a completely dead battery, but I think it was a short. If it was, is there any hope for this device? Thanks

 

[Eximo]

Perhaps a smartphone/tablet/laptop repair place could put in a new port. You would have to shop around for a service like that.

 

[Misgar]

If you've thoroughly "mangled" the USB socket in the Kindle and bent the pins out of alignment, the only way to fix it would be to open up the reader, de-solder the broken connector at a hot air rework station and solder a new connector in its place.

If the damage is external to the Kindle, i.e. the USB plug on the end of the charger lead is destroyed, you could try a different charger/cable and keep your fingers crossed. The old charger might be "toast" and the Kindle OK.

I fixed a micro USB socket on an audio book player that had become partially detached, using a hot air workstation and judicious amounts of flux cream and solder paste. The hidden connections were far too small and delicate to try using a soldering iron bit and rosin cored solder.

A few seconds with a fine nozzle on the hot air tool and the solder paste melted fixing the dry joints. This is not a job for the uninitiated. A hot air rework station will set you back $100+, potentially more than a new Kindle.

 

[Eximo]

Yep, my last repair attempt on a tablet with micro USB was too difficult to do with even a fine tip soldering iron. Annoyingly, I did have access to a hot air station at the time, but I wasn't aware it had been purchased.

 

[Titanion]

I will post again when I get home. I can't imagine it is in any way mangled. I used slight pressure, but I knew at the time that it might have been the old charger.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Titanion]

I am not able to see any damage. Nothing looks mangled at all.

It seems like I should be seeing more posts from a few years ago where people damaged usb-c devices trying to plug them into micro-usb chargers. And it was not a force thing; it was a soft but firm, is this the right charger type of press.

It also seems like this would have been accounted for when the usb-c was designed, making it so that the previous standard, if used by accident, would not damage anything.

Is there anything specific to look for if I open it up?

If I search for a cheap, used, replacement, 32GB with adds, for example, is there any way to swap out internal parts and make it 64GB no adds.

This is my version:
Fire HD 10 Tablet (10.1" 1080p full HD display 64 GB) – Black – Without Lockscreen Ads (2019 Release)


Is there anything salvageable inside?

Thanks

 

[Eximo]

Tablets are pretty much entirely BGA, you can't do anything with the internals unless you REALLY need some memory or something else to repair another similar device. Someone might want the screen as the most commonly damaged component. You could certainly sell the whole thing as parts only. Though given the problem, I'm sure someone with the appropriate skills would buy it, fix the charging port/circuit and re-sell it.

These things are designed to be disposable. Sad, but that is what allows them to be as thin as they are.