This is an important question. Repairing things is great, but what if there is a better way? When a DC jack fails, physical damage is usually done to the port or the connection to the motherboard where it is soldered in. If it’s a cable jack, the chassis that holds it in place can also get damaged. Over time, it becomes loose from the motherboard after years of plugging and unplugging, and it can wear out.
When this happens, purchasing and replacing the power jack is always better than trying to re-solder or piece the existing broken port back together. A repair might work for a small amount of time, but replacing the part will ensure a good connection and last years if done properly.
De-soldered power plug from the motherboard and ready for a new jack.
If it’s completely broken, you will need to replace it, but with %99 of laptops I work on, I replace the jack instead of trying to repair it because of the wear and tear it’s received. Even if reworking the solder would fix the problem, I still replace the port. The only scenario where I wouldn’t replace it is because the jack isn’t available for purchase, and doing solder rework is the only option for a repair. This is rare but can happen on a newer laptop where the part isn’t unavailable.
Replacing the jack ensures a quality repair, will function better, and hold up for years.
How much does a power jack cost to replace?
A DC jack typically costs from $2 to $30. %90 of the laptops I fix have a jack ranging from $2-$10. This is another reason I advocate for replacing it instead of trying to repair it. If you’re already going to open the laptop up and do solder work, then spending an extra $7 to do a quality job is worth it. If the repair doesn’t hold up, you need to open it up and do the work again, so doing it right the first time is good. The last thing I want is a charging port to break again and return to the shop because I didn’t properly repair something.
Does it require soldering?
Some jacks are soldered into the motherboard, and some are cables that plug straight into the motherboard. Most popular laptops I work on, such as the Lenovo Legion, Acer Aspire series, and Asus Vivobook, use soldered-on charging ports.
A new power jack was installed on the UX331A ultrabook.
Is your laptop refusing to charge? It could be a faulty DC jack—a repair that might seem daunting but is often simpler and more affordable than you’d think and can be resolved quickly by an expert.
Replacing a power jack can be a complicated task depending on your model. It needs to be done carefully and correctly by a professional technician. They need to be proficient in disassembly, de-soldering and soldering, and re-assembly and testing. You might be thinking, how much should I expect to pay for that?
How much does it cost for charge port replacement?
Different repair shops will offer a flat rate or hourly repair costs. They also need to factor in the cost of parts. Typically, a power jack repair will be a flat rate cost.
A power jack repair typically costs between $99 and $200, depending on your laptop model and the complexity of the repair. For example, an Acer Predator Helios 300 might cost more due to its $30 charge port, while an Acer Aspire 5 could be repaired for just $99 (low-cost port). These costs reflect not only the price of parts but also the specialized skills required to disassemble, de-solder, re-solder, and reassemble your device some companies specialize in niche laptop repairs like Pomeroy Computing where you can ship your laptop to get it repaired by an expert. Getting it done locally versus shipping it in both have pros and cons.
Pros of shipping the laptop in for repair
– Access to specialized technicians ensures a higher-quality repair.
– Potentially lower costs due to the technician’s efficiency.
– Faster turnaround if parts are in stock.
Cons of shipping the laptop in for repair
– Possible delays due to shipping times.
– Minimal risk of damage during shipping, though extremely rare.
Pros of getting it done locally
– No shipping costs.
– Potentially faster turnaround time but not necessarily
Cons of getting it done locally
– Local technicians may lack specialization in power jack repairs.
– Higher costs if the repair is uncommon for local shops.
Many companies won’t repair it at all and tell you that the motherboard needs to be replaced. This isn’t true unless there is actual damage to the motherboard. Again, having a bad charge port doesn’t require a new motherboard. When you contact the manufacturer after your warranty is up, they will tell you the port can’t be fixed, and it will cost hundreds of dollars to fix. This is why a niche repair company like Pomeroy Computing can help.
Conclusion
Don’t let a faulty DC jack keep you disconnected. Whether you choose to ship your laptop to a specialist or have it repaired locally, understanding your options can save you time, money, and frustration. For the best results, trust Pomeroy Computing to get your laptop charging like new again.
Soldering a new DC jack onto the motherboard is a complicated process but essential for power jack replacement. It takes skills in not just soldering but also de-soldering and properly removing the broken charge port. The soldering techniques for power jack replacement are listed below in a step-by-step order from start to finish. By the end of this guide, you should have successfully restored power to a laptop that’s not charging.
Check out our article on diagnosing a laptop with a bad charge port to make sure you have this issue before you try and fix it.
-Soldering iron (Hakko fx-888D) or an equivalent iron (with chisel tip)
-60/40 solder Kester
-De-soldering braid or pump
-Flux (Syringe, pen, etc.)
-99% alcohol
Tools you might need/recommend:
-Air soldering station
-Thermal tape
Steps for Removal and Replacement
Step 1: Prep
The first thing to do is prep the broken power jack for de-soldering/removal. If the motherboard is dirty where the port is located, use compressed air or 99% alcohol to clean it.
Step 2: Add flux and solder
You want to apply flux and fresh solder to each through hole to break up and get the old existing solder flowing and heated up. This will aid in the removal process. I set my soldering station to 700 degrees Fahrenheit.
Adding flux to the broken jack
Step 3: Removal/De-soldering
After step 2, you can take a solder braid or a desoldering pump to remove the existing solder. You may need to repeat step 1 because sometimes the flux and new solder don’t get into the through hole well enough, and it can be stubborn. If you’re using the braid, put it over the fresh solder, and through hole, the solder will suck up into the braid (see picture below). You will do this until all of the solder is removed from the through hole.
If you’re using the pump, you will put your soldering iron tip over the through hole until the solder is flowing. Next, you take the pump and put it over the flowing solder, and suck it up into the pump. I have attached a picture below of the braid and pump in action.
Removing solder with a de-soldering pump
Remember, the de-soldering aspect of the whole jack repair is considered the hardest part, and where many people get stuck and give up or give it to a professional.
Once enough solder is removed, you can remove the jack. If you have used the pump and/or braid and the port still won’t come out, this is where I will use the hot air station to finish the removal. Sometimes braid and pump alone won’t get the stubborn solder out of the motherboard completely.
Step 4: Air Soldering station:
The all-important circuitry around the power jack needs to be covered by thermal tape. Without it, you risk ruining vital circuitry around the port, which can ultimately brick the motherboard.
After applying the thermal tape, you can start heating up the jack area. I set my soldering station to around 400 degrees Celsius with the air pump pushing slightly over half. Evenly apply heat over the power jack until you see the solder flowing. It will fall out, or you can hold it with a tweezer and remove it.
Prep for new jack after removal:
All holes need to be cleared and solder removed.
New Jack Installation:
Step 5: Install the new power jack
Once the old charge port is removed, it’s time to solder a new jack into place. You want to make sure the jack is inserted flush into the motherboard and not at an angle. If it’s facing up or down, this can be a problem upon reassembly, and the user might have issues getting their power cord to plug in properly.
Make sure the solder has flowed through both sides of the through hole.
Step-by-step guide from start to finish on replacing the power jack.
You need to correctly identify your laptops power problems. First, examine the symptoms your laptop is displaying. Does the connection feel loose where you plug it in? Did it just stop working suddenly? Has the power problem gotten worse over time and or is the problem intermittent?
The number one, telltale sign of a failing power jack is the loose or wobbly internal connection where you plug in the power cord. Usually, you will be able to manipulate the power cord at just the right angle to get the notebook to power on and charge. This will also be accompanied by the laptop’s power going back and forth from the cord to battery. Sometimes you will notice this in the system tray of your operating system or the flickering of the screen as it dims when it goes to battery and gets brighter when it goes back to dc power. If you are experiencing this symptom or symptoms like this, you most likely have a failing charging port.
If the computer works fine one minute and stops working suddenly the next, this is more indicative of a motherboard failure. Unless the laptop was dropped or had some major force exerted on it, the power jack problems are progressive and get worse over time. It’s rare for the jack to suddenly go bad and the laptop not turning on anymore. Furthermore, the computer usually has some battery life left that would let the computer come on until the battery is fully drained.
2. When trying to properly diagnose a laptop with power problems you need to first test the power cord. This needs to be eliminated as the source of your problems. I’ve seen many laptops over the years where people thought they had a bad power socket or failed motherboard when it was simply a bad ac adapter that was the cause of the laptop not powering on anymore.
Whenever I start diagnosing a laptop that won’t power up or is having power problems, I check the cord with a multimeter to see if it’s giving off the correct voltage or not. If you have it, you can also use a different power cord to cross check and see if that’s what causing the failure.Not everyone has a spare cord lying around so the multimeter is a cheap and easy way to see if the adapter is giving off any voltage and is the first step in diagnosing a notebook with power failures.
3. You need to identify if your laptop has a soldered onto the motherboard power jack or a cable style wire that plugs into the mainboard. This is important because when a laptop has a cable type plug it will usually feel a little loose out of the gate when it’s working properly. If your laptop’s port feels loose and it has a cable connection that might be normal. If it’s the soldered-on connection, then it should feel very solid when you plug it in. It vital to make this distinction because a notebook can be misdiagnosed thinking the already loose cable jack seems like a loose connection when it’s normal to the laptop.
Furthermore, if you have the wire style jack you might have success in replacing it yourself versus the soldered ports that are difficult to replace if you’re not a notebook technician.
4. If you are experiencing a power jack failure the motherboard doesn’t need to be replaced. This is a very common misconception that people will be told by other techs or when they call the manufacturer of their laptop for support. Companies like Dell and HP don’t replace the power jack and instead will advise the customer that the entire motherboard needs to be swapped out to fix the charge port problem. This isn’t true. Even big tech companies will also give this advice usually out of ignorance. Whether your laptop has a soldered in jack or a cable each can be replaced by a professional in laptop repairs for a much cheaper cost than replacing the entire motherboard.
5. If your laptop has a soldered in connection, you probably need to have a professional replace it. I’ve seen many how to videos online saying “fix your power jack fast” and while this is possible, it is unlikely that a non tech savvy person will be able to repair this issue properly. First, you need to properly diagnose the problem, take the notebook completely apart to the motherboard, then de-solder and solder a new jack on and finally put everything back together. Most people don’t have the proper (expensive) soldering tools or experience to accomplish this type of difficult repair. Taking apart the laptop and getting it back together properly can be difficult and the soldering aspect can be very difficult unless you are versed in these types of repairs. You can get the laptop fixed for a much cheaper price than trying to buy everything you need. On top of that, a professional should do a quality job that lasts for years to come. I’ve worked on many laptops that have had the repair attempted by someone who didn’t know what they were doing, and the motherboard was ruined or damaged in the repair attempt. On the other hand, if your laptop uses the cable connection you won’t need soldering tools and experience, so it is possible to repair on your own if you find a good guide and are tech savvy enough to do the disassembly and reassembly properly.
The Acer Aspire 5 laptop is a common one we work on at Pomeroy Computing due to the small charge port design it uses. In being so small it lacks the strength to hold up after years of plugging and unplugging. Below you will find information on how to diagnose and fix the broken jack.
The most common symptom is a loose connection where you plug in the power cord. The connection will switch back and forth from battery to AC power and will be significantly looser than when you first purchased it.
There is a poor design in the Acer Aspire 5 and every Acer laptop that uses this small DC jack. Sometimes companies sacrifice durability for thin design. Keep in mind that any DC jack can fail like this due to years of use.
Can I replace the port myself?
The Acer Aspire 5 power jack is soldered directly to the motherboard and the laptop needs to be taken completely apart to access it. In the video below, I have shown a complete step-by-step guide for the disassembly process, de-soldering, and soldering of a new plug back onto the motherboard.
If this type of repair is out of your tech comfort level we offer mail-in repair services starting at $69. Visit the homepage and get started with a free diagnostic.
How do I know if my Acer Swift has a bad charge port?
I’ve repaired multiple Acer Swift series laptops and the big problem I find with them is that the power jack is very small and delicate. This makes for a fragile and weak design which leads to a broken jack. If the socket connection is loose where you plug in the ac adapter, you most likely have a broken plug.
What does the dc jack look like?
Close up view of a Acer Swift 3 with a broken charge port.Broken Acer Swift 3 power jack.Charge light flickers back and forth from AC to battery power.
What symptoms will it have?
Loose connection where you plug in the power cord.
Intermittently switch back and forth from Ac power to battery.
Power cord doesn’t fit snug like when it was new.
Can I fix this myself?
The video above is a step by step guide in how to fix the Acer Swift 3 laptop. This is board level repair that requires complete disassembly of the notebook. Once the computer is disassembled to the motherboard you will need to de-solder the old broken charge port and solder a new one back on. This will require proficient soldering skills and tools to successfully complete this repair.
What is the cost of replacing the jack?
At Pomeroy Computing we provide nation wide mail-in laptop power jack repair. We do this service for $69 parts and labor to replace the socket on a Acer Swift 3 notebook. Visit the homepage of our website to get started.
What is a power jack, and how do I diagnose it properly?
First, you might be wondering, what exactly is a power jack? Here at Pomeroy Computing, we are experts in power jack repair and offer guides and tutorials to fix it yourself, or we offer our $69 parts and labor mail-in repair services. Contact us today for a free diagnostic!
The power port is a socket input soldered directly to the motherboard or a cable connection that plugs into it. It’s important to know what type of power jack you have to properly diagnose the issue and fix it.
Power enters through your DC adapter cord and into the laptop to power it and charge the battery through this power jack port. It doesn’t regulate your battery or do anything special. It’s just the physical gateway for power to come into your laptop. If the connection is bad, your laptop won’t properly power on and charge the battery. These are typically intermittent issues that go back and forth. This problem will get worse over time, and trying to manipulate the port to get it to work can cause further and more extensive damage to the motherboard.
This information might be relevant because you’re having power problems with your laptop and are seeking solutions. There are ways to repair it yourself, but sometimes it is better left to an expert in laptop repairs due to the complexity of the disassembly and reassembly, along with safely removing the bad socket with different soldering tools and techniques.
New power jack for a Dell 15 3000 laptop.New power jack for Asus Republic of Gamers laptop.Power jack used by many Toshiba and Lenovo models.
What symptoms does a failing charge port have, and how does it fail?
A laptop that is experiencing power jack problems has distinct symptoms. They tend to go bad over time because of stress on the cord and heat going through the solder points. That leads to the weakening of those points and a slow loosening of the DC jack from the motherboard. Another reason you might be experiencing these symptoms is because the computer took a fall or the power cord was tripped over. This results in the port becoming physically damaged and breaking off the motherboard, is the laptop will not charge or power on. Laptops with power jack problems start to exhibit signs such as:
Loose or broken connection where you plug in the power cord
Intermittent switching of the laptop going back and forth from power to battery
Sparks or overheating buildup near the charge port area
Battery won’t charge
The video above shows what a typical bad power jack looks like. You can wiggle the connector to make the laptop power on and charge.
How can I be sure my charge port is bad, and where do I start?
If you’re not sure whether your laptop has a bad charge port or not, then start by testing your AC adapter. It is a common cause of DC jack-like symptoms and can be tested and ruled out as the problem before you take it anywhere. You can use a multimeter to check the integrity of your power cord or try another known working cord to rule out this problem.
The most common way to know if you have a bad power socket is the very distinct symptom of the connection being very loose when you plug it in. The AC adapter will feel extremely loose when you plug it in versus very snug when you first bought it. A lot of times, you can see physical damage to the port, which is pretty obvious. This is the telltale sign of a bad power jack. Sometimes, the loose feeling can start small but get worse over time. You might start to wiggle the tip of the power cord at a certain angle to get it to work. Eventually, it will stop working altogether. Continued use can cause potential damage to the motherboard and will never get better until the charge port is replaced.
It is important to note that there are two different kinds of power jacks. The first is a plug that is soldered directly to the motherboard with as few as three pins and as many as nine or more. They are a through-hole solder connection, which can be de-soldered when it needs to be replaced, and a new jack soldered back on. The other type is a cable with wires that plug directly into the motherboard. Like the soldered-on types, they come in many different shapes, sizes, and configurations. These are much easier to replace because they are a “plug and play” situation that doesn’t require any type of soldering unless you solder a new jack on the tip of the cable. They can usually be purchased in the full cable form, so soldering isn’t needed.
This is important for many reasons, such as when you’re diagnosing a bad power plug, a cable-type jack will usually have some play in it. It can be misleading when you’re trying to diagnose it because it’s wiggling around in the laptop a little. The cable sockets usually become detached from their housing (chassis or body of the laptop) and flop around inside the laptop when they are bad. You should feel a noticeable change in how the laptop feels plugging it in after experiencing power problems compared to your normal computing experience. The soldered-on jacks have very little play in them, so they feel distinctly different and loose when they are going bad. If you have a soldered-on jack and it feels solid, you might have a different type of power issue going on.
What does a broken DC jack look like?
Below are some pictures of what a bad DC jack looks like. You will notice physical damage to many of the jacks. This is usually a result of tripping over the cord, dropping the jack on the plugged spot, stress on the power cord over time, and finally breaking the connection. If it is a soldered connection, those tend to be completely or partially detached and broken from the motherboard. Sometimes, if you look at the solder points closely, you will see an oxidation of the power pin or pins. This is usually accompanied by the symptoms of the wiggling of the cord to find the sweet spot to get it to charge.
DC Jack pushed inside the laptopInternal view of the broken plug.MSI with broken power jack.
Can I fix the power jack myself?
Yes and no. If your computer uses cable-type ports that plug directly into the motherboard, and you are tech-savvy and can follow a guide on YouTube, you might be able to replace the jack yourself. No soldering is required with these cable jacks, and they simply plug and unplug into the motherboard. Your biggest challenge will most likely be the disassembly and reassembly of the laptop.
The other type is the soldered-in power jack. The most challenging part beyond taking the laptop apart and getting it back together properly is the de-soldering process. You will need to have a quality soldering iron, soldering skills, and the necessary tools associated with it. I would not recommend learning this on your laptop when you have power problems. I see many laptops that have had an attempt at the de-soldering process that is now damaged beyond repair. If you’re in doubt of your abilities, that is a good sign it’s better to leave it to an experienced professional.
Below is a video of Pomeroy Computing replacing a power jack on an Acer Aspire 5 from start to finish.
Conclusion
A power jack provides power to your computer, but it is a common weakness for laptops. Both types of solder and cable ports can go bad but can be repaired or, better stated, replaced. I always recommend replacement instead of trying to repair it. When properly diagnosing a jack, make sure it has distinct power failure symptoms and test it out with the information in this article. If you have any questions, contact us!
If you’re thinking about shipping in your laptop for a dc jack repair you have a few different good options. First, I highly recommend buying a Fed Ex laptop shipping box from their brick-and-mortar store. They have removable foam cutouts that will snugly fit small and larger laptops (see picture below). They are high quality, very protective, and reusable. At the time of this writing, they are $23 usd.
Fed Ex laptop shipping box.Foam cut outs for protection.
Second, the original manufacturer box is a great way to ship a laptop. Most have similar foam cut outs that were made to stand up to regular shipping conditions. If you’re like me, you have that old laptop box laying around so it can be put to good use.
The third option is buying or reusing traditional packing materials. Buying a roll of bubble wrap and a custom box can work great too. I suggest you try and think overpack vs. putting just a little thin bubble wrap around the laptop and then using a box that the laptop barely fits into.
Lastly, don’t skimp out on a shipping solution. Using old amazon boxes, small boxes that you get for free at the brick-and-mortar shipping stores, and similar ideas can lead to a damaged laptop. It’s not worth trying save a few bucks when it comes to shipping a notebook.
The reason this topic relates to dc jack repair is sometimes when you think you have a broken charge port you might just simply have a bad power cord. This is the first thing you want to check before sending the laptop in or taking it to a repair shop. Over the years I’ve seen many cords go bad when the power jack goes bad too due to the stress people put on the tip of the power cord to try and find that sweet spot to keep their laptop running. I’ve also seen a laptop not powering on simply because the ac adapter is bad and is giving dc jack like symptoms.
The first and best way to test your cord is to use a multimeter. You can find these on amazon and ebay with a quick search and they run around $10 usd. You will use this device to see if the cord is giving off voltage. Power cords are typically rated from 18.5-20 volts when powering laptops. You need to make sure your ac adapter is giving power to the laptop before you start diagnosing anything further or replacing hardware. In the picture below you will see a typical multimeter test on a power cord. The multimeter is set to 20 VDC because that is the normal range for a laptop power cord. In the case of the picture, this was a 19.5v cord giving off 19.55 volts, so the power cord is working properly. To test it you place the ground lead on the outer part of the tip of the power cord and the red lead inside the tip as seen in the picture. You will need to make sure your multimeter is set to VDC.
Testing a laptop ac adapter with a multimeter.
If you don’t have a multimeter, you can try checking the light in the ac adapter box and see if it is lighting up. This is not an accurate way to test because the break could be at the tip of the cord or the led in the charge box can be working but the power cord is not giving off any voltage. This needs further testing to be 100% accurate but can give you an indication of a bad cord if that light if off.
If you have another power cord lying around or know someone who has one that will work with your laptop this is an obvious way to cross check your ac adapter with a known working one. You need to make sure it has the correct power requirements and tip size, so it powers the laptop and fits properly.
If you look at the next picture below you will see an hp laptop with the ac adapter plugged in and a led light coming on orange indicating it’s charging. If you have a laptop that won’t power on but the light shows that it is charging the cord is working and the laptop has a different power problem than just a bad cord.
I’m having power problems with my Dell Inspiron laptop, what do I do?
Pomeroy Computing is a laptop repair company that specializes in power jack repair. You may need a charge port repair if your laptop has one or more of the following symptoms. We perform the dc jack repair service for $69 parts and labor. This is a nation wide, mail in repair service. Common symptoms are listed below:
Loose connection where you plug in the ac adapter
Laptop switches back and forth from power to battery
Heat build in the area where you plug in the power cord
Holding the power cord at just the right angle to get it to work.
Can I fix a dc jack myself?
Yes and no. It is difficult to take apart a laptop, replace the dc jack and then get everything back together correctly. If you are very tech savvy it’s not impossible. The biggest problem I see people run into is the intricate ribbon cables that can get damaged and knowing where to pry and apply force to get it apart. To save you the hassle of tearing apart your laptop all weekend and risk damaging it, we perform the charging port replacement on most dell inspiron laptops for $69 parts and labor. Visit our homepage to get started.
What does a broken power jack look like?
In the picture below you can see a dell inspiron 15 5000 laptop with a broken dc jack. The plastic cable style port plugs into the motherboard and is screwed onto the case. The part where you screw the jack in directly to the chassis of the computer has broken so the whole dc jack needs to be replaced. The notebook will need to be completely taken apart to access it. We have video guides in our youtube channel
