My laptop has not charged for about 24 hours. It worked normally the night before, but when the battery got low, it stopped charging. I tried several outlets and cables, including the original charger and a USB-C phone charger that worked with the laptop before, although it charged slowly. I also checked the USB-C port with a toothpick and it looked clean, but the small piece inside the port feels loose and wiggles. Could the port be damaged, and is this something that can be repaired quickly? I need the laptop for schoolwork.
2 Answers
If the USB-C port itself is moving or the center piece is loose, the port may have been physically damaged or separated from the laptop’s internal board. A new cable probably will not fix that. Stop using anything that feels loose, since forcing the plug could make the damage worse. A repair shop should be able to inspect it, though the cost depends on the laptop and whether the port is soldered directly to the motherboard.
Before assuming the laptop needs repair, check whether the charger you are testing provides enough power. Many phone USB-C chargers can fit but do not supply the wattage a laptop needs. If the original charger and a known-compatible replacement both fail, especially with a visibly wobbly port, the laptop’s charging port is the more likely problem. Until it is fixed, you may need to use a school or public computer for your homework.
So should I replace the charging cable first, or have the laptop’s USB-C port checked?
Would repairing the port usually be straightforward, or is it a more complicated and expensive repair?