My Acer Aspire Lite 15 suddenly stopped charging, so I brought it to a local repair shop on August 1 and paid ₱1,800. After several delays, I collected it on August 11. The technician told me he had not repaired the original USB-C port; instead, he cut a hole in the case, installed a different round charging jack, and performed motherboard "rework." I was never informed about this modification and did not authorize it.
He did not initially provide a charger that fit the new port. Later, he gave us another charger, but that one also did not fit. The shop was repeatedly closed, making the situation even more difficult. On August 28, my brother returned the laptop and charger. After waiting about three hours, he was shown that the laptop was supposedly charging. However, once we got home, there was no charging light, no power, and no response even after leaving it plugged in for about an hour.
It has been nearly a month, and my classes are about to start. I am considering taking the laptop to an authorized or reputable service center for an independent diagnosis and a written repair estimate. I may also file a local incident report and ask the original technician to cover at least part of the repair cost, since I already paid and the laptop still does not work.
For people familiar with laptop motherboard and charging repairs: Is replacing the original USB-C port with a different jack ever a reasonable repair? Should the technician have obtained my approval first? Could the modification have caused additional damage? Should I stop letting this technician work on the laptop and get an independent diagnosis instead?
5 Answers
If you paid by card, check whether your bank can open a dispute for a service that was paid for but not successfully completed. Keep the receipt, messages, dates of each visit, and photos of the laptop. You can also request a refund or contribution toward the independent repair in writing before considering a local consumer or community complaint process.
It is possible the modification itself caused damage, but the original charging circuit, battery, motherboard, or power-management components could also be faulty. Nobody can determine that reliably without inspecting the board. I would prioritize getting your data backed up, if possible, and avoid repeatedly plugging in an improvised charger until another technician confirms that the voltage and polarity are correct.
A direct-wire replacement or alternate charging jack can sometimes be used as a low-cost repair, especially when the original connector or its board traces are damaged. But it should have been explained before any cutting or motherboard work, and the technician should have confirmed the correct charger and tested the laptop with you before calling it finished. Since it still shows no charging or power, the repair clearly has not resolved the problem.
I would stop authorizing further work for now. Take photos of the modified case, the replacement jack, and the charger, then have a reputable or authorized service center inspect it and provide a written diagnosis and estimate. Ask them to document whether the modification appears unsafe or whether it caused additional damage. That evidence will be more useful than continuing to argue about what the first technician did.
The technician should have contacted you after diagnosing the original problem and explained the proposed modification, cost, risks, and expected result. Even if the alternate jack could technically work, changing the laptop’s case and motherboard without approval is poor repair practice. A proper repair should include a compatible charger and a test showing that the machine powers on and charges.
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