Question How to fix a USB cable that only works when I bend it ?

[TheWonderAlmighty]

I have had a Satechi USB-C hub like this one for 2 years now. I regret buying it because the cable only works when I bend it with adequate force while it's plugged in, why is that?


Would I have to tear it down to see the inside? There are no screws, and the outer case appears to be metal and there are black cover on both sides like in the photo. I have no clue how to open it.

 

[USAFRet]

The Why is because some connection inside is faulty and partially disconnected.

I have a similar one.
A new one is maybe $15. Not worth the time trying to "fix it".

 

[TheWonderAlmighty]

I just cut this rubber part off and now have a stable connection. I could cover it up with electrical tape I guess.

 

[mmp09]

It has served its purpose. Replace it with a new one. This arrangement that works may be short lived before the cable internally completely disconnects.

 

[SkyNetRising]

I just cut this rubber part off and now have a stable connection. I could cover it up with electrical tape I guess.

If you want to fix it properly, then replace entire cable.

 

[TheWonderAlmighty]

If you want to fix it properly, then replace entire cable.

If I wanted to do that then how would I open the case to get the cable out?

 

[SkyNetRising]

If I wanted to do that then how would I open the case to get the cable out?

Find a video, that shows, how to do that.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5kS8ScAIJk

 

[TheWonderAlmighty]

Find a video, that shows, how to do that.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5kS8ScAIJk

The casing for the Satechi hub is much different from the one in the video, the case is metal and the covers are on the sides, I already tried inserting a spudger like in the video but couldn't. The hub show in the video has covers on the top and bottom and appears to be plastic.

 

[Steve Nord_]

Great job finding a weird fix; looks like you beat clamping and epoxying the cable in a suitable bent condition.

I mean, you can cure E6000 around the cable in the working condition and it'll probably help the connection as it shrinks with the cable in it (as does epoxy, a bit) but I can't know, or guess what ($15?) your local dentist or bonesetter office will charge to x-ray stuff or whether their gear can get contrast with that shielding around. Maybe SDR can offer local signal probing more canny to microelectronics. THz imaging?

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

No brainer ---- just replace the entire device, preferrably a different make of higher quality.