Repairing Kurio Tablet Micro USB Connector (charging port)
Duration: 45 minutes
Steps: 7 Steps
Get ready to tackle the challenge of swapping out a busted micro USB connector on your Kurio tablet! Sure, it might feel like you’re climbing a steep hill, but it’s totally doable. If you find yourself wishing for an easier route, remember that swapping the mainboard is a simpler option (and you can snag used mainboards on eBay). Just keep your chin up and take it step by step!
Step 1
– Before diving in, let’s make sure the USB micro jack is the culprit. Give a different USB cable or charger a whirl. Also, take a peek at the jack to see if you can spot any damage without cracking open the device. It’s a bit tricky to see in the picture, but this micro USB jack has taken a hit: it’s missing one of its five internal connectors!
Step 2
– First things first: unscrew the four screws holding the back case in place. Once they’re off, gently pop off the back case. Just a heads up—be super careful not to crack it or bend the screen or mainboard. A flathead screwdriver can lend a helping hand here!
Step 3
– Time to get your hands dirty! Start by unscrewing those three shiny silver screws that are keeping the mainboard snug as a bug. Next, gently flip up the plastic retainers that are giving a tight hug to the two ribbon cables in their connectors. Go ahead and peel back any tape that’s keeping those cables or the mainboard in check. Now, flip the mainboard over with care. Just a friendly reminder—don’t detach the wires connected to the battery or WiFi antenna! They’re soldered to the mainboard and need to stay put.
Step 4
– Gently detach the damaged micro USB connector, taking care to avoid any mishaps with the mainboard or nearby components. It can be a bit of a challenge! To make it easier, warm it up with a soldering iron and gently lift it away from the board. You might want a buddy on standby with pliers to help while you apply the heat. Remember to keep the contacts warm to prevent pulling any traces off the board!
Tools Used
Step 5
– First things first, let’s get that replacement micro USB connector in place! Start by giving the area a good clean with some flux and make sure to remove any old solder hanging around on the traces. Now, gently bend those new connector pins toward the board. Before you dive in, it’s a smart move to tin both the pins and the board traces with a little solder. Once you’ve got everything prepped, pop that connector into position, and then heat those connector pins (not the mounting posts) to make sure it’s snug and secure.
Step 6
– Grab your trusty multimeter or continuity tester and check to make sure no traces are shorted or bridged. Remember, four out of the five connector pins are your friends, leading to nearby test points on the mainboard (one little pin is just hanging out, not connected to anything). If everything checks out, it’s time to get crafty! Use solder and a strong epoxy to secure that shiny new connector in place. Just be super careful not to let any solder or epoxy sneak inside the connector—no one wants a messy situation!
Step 7
– Now that you’ve got the shiny new connector in place, thoroughly tested, and snugly secured, it’s time to put the Kurio back together. Just a heads-up: since this connector is glued down tight, any future swaps will need a fresh mainboard. But no worries! You can snag the right micro USB connectors on eBay. If you need help, you can always schedule a repair.
