Aura ONE Replacing a faulty micro-USB port?

[lensmann]

Hi all,

The micro-USB port on my Aura One has been wonky for a while, and has now completely stopped working in that it won't charge or connect to a computer. I've tried multiple chargers and cables all of which work perfectly with my trusty old Aura HD, so it's almost certainly the Aura One's port that's the problem.

Has anyone managed to successfully replace the Aura One's micro-USB port? I've found generic threads on how one opens the Aura One to change the battery, but the only thread I could find specifically on replacing the port ended (started by @Cootey) ended with them giving up and selling it for parts.

I'll be taking it in to a local electronics repair shop to be fixed. However, whilst they're very good with mobile phones they're not very familiar with e-readers so I thought I'd check here first to see if anyone has managed to fix this issue.

[Quoth]

Micro USB ports, or other connectors on modern surface mount gear are not easily fixed. Sometimes they can be replaced. Sometimes reflow works. Sometimes silver paint and glue works. I've done all three of those.

If the connector is damaged then it needs replaced, but there are quite a few physical variations and not all repair shops have the soldering / rework skills and equipment.

It's more serious if the PCB is damaged more than a cracked track (which can be repaired). PCB damage may be unrepairable.

If they have replaced a micro-USB port on any gadget, phone or not, then it's irrelevant that it's an ereader. The PCB of an ereader is simpler than any phone though the screen/touch is different. Battery (really a cell) is similar or identical arrangement to most tablets.

[lensmann]

Thanks Quoth, that's very helpful. I've now managed to find a video on Youtube which shows how to do this. The audio is in Canadian French and I can't say I understood it all, but it does seem eminently feasible. I'll try a mobile phone repair shop and see what they can say.

The video's here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZC7LeLdNYA

Edit: It looks like there's an online seller in Ireland who has replacement charging ports for the Aura One available on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303789586107. I'll order one just in case it's necessary.

[haertig]

Get a flashlight, look very closely into the connector where the plug-in cord goes. Anything in there? Dust, lint, etc.? Get you a wooden toothpick and with the point, clean out any crud in there. I have had a couple of micro USB connectors start "failing", and the only thing wrong was that lint had collected inside the connector from the phone sitting in my pocket. This collected lint was causing the plug to not fully seat and not charge. Check for this especially if your plug-in cord does not seat as firmly as it used to. This is simple to check, and a whole lot easier to correct than replacing the jack. Hopefully you get lucky and this is all your problem is. It doesn't take much collected gunk to cause a problem.

[edit] p.s. - Some toothpicks may be too fat to reach in there. Get creative. Try a piece of stiff fishing line, pluck a bristle off your toothbrush, shave a splinter of wood off of something with your pocketknife, you might have a small cleaning brush that came with an electric shaver, cut off the edge of a photograph into a thin sliver of stiff paper - you're probably surrounded with stuff that would work for the job, and it's just waiting to be discovered. [/edit]

[JSWolf]

Would it be feasible to replace the microUSB port with a USB-C port?

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Would it be feasible to replace the microUSB port with a USB-C port?

No.
You can't even replace the microUSB with microUSB unless you have the same physical layout.

Technically loads of USB-C gadgets are only using USB-A or mini-USB features, or maybe OTG of micro-USB, so you could certainly wire up D-, D+ +5V and 0V pins. Physical mounting would be an issue. I suppose fine enamel wire and epoxy.
USB-C is 24 pins, but each signal exists twice to allow insertion of connector any way round.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#...ifferent_modes

It's pointless really if you have any other devices that have a micro-USB socket, though technically possible. Not sure how USB host mode of microUSB is done. That's one pin, but people don't normally use that on a Kobo because out of the box it doesn't work.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Quoth

No.
You can't even replace the microUSB with microUSB unless you have the same physical layout.

Technically loads of USB-C gadgets are only using USB-A or mini-USB features, or maybe OTG of micro-USB, so you could certainly wire up D-, D+ +5V and 0V pins. Physical mounting would be an issue. I suppose fine enamel wire and epoxy.
USB-C is 24 pins, but each signal exists twice to allow insertion of connector any way round.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB-C#...ifferent_modes

It's pointless really if you have any other devices that have a micro-USB socket, though technically possible. Not sure how USB host mode of microUSB is done. That's one pin, but people don't normally use that on a Kobo because out of the box it doesn't work.

I was thinking if it could be done, then you could use a USB-C cable. It would not matter if the speed wasn't any faster. I see now that it's not worth doing.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I was thinking if it could be done, then you could use a USB-C cable. It would not matter if the speed wasn't any faster. I see now that it's not worth doing.

It would certainly be harder with 24 connections approximately in the space of 5.
I've done some mad repairs but I'd want a break out PCB for USB-C

These make it easy to prototype, breadboard or repair if there is space to epoxy it in.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TVHRH5Q

Certainly USB-C has some advantages but it has too many functions and pins.

Edit:
Of course someone sells a USB-C breakout board:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00ZUA5I84/

You can also buy a USB-C socket with only 6 pins, "for chargers". They don't say which of the 12 pins are connected (AFAIK the 24 pins are in parallel connected flipped pairs).

[lensmann]

Thanks both for your help. I took a close look from the outside, and the port seemed to be slightly misaligned. A bit of nudging using fine tweezers brought it back into better alignment, and I can now charge it if I wrap the power cord around the ereader (this is how I'd been charging it for a while before it stopped charging). I probably do need to fix the port, but at least it's not urgent now.

[zehloani]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Would it be feasible to replace the microUSB port with a USB-C port?

I think it'd be hard to have everything fit. But here's a video on a similar idea that may help illuminate the possibilities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-vFtiDYiIw