I'm thinking about attempting to re-solder the charging port on my laptop myself, but I want to be sure it's a safe move for someone with little experience. Do I just apply solder to all the legs to fix it? What are the risks of using too much solder or accidentally connecting the solder to other parts? I'm weighing whether it's worth the CAD 220 for a shop repair or if I can handle this DIY. Any tips or warnings would be appreciated!
2 Answers
Before diving into this, you might want to get a soldering practice kit. It’s usually better to clean off the old solder before adding new stuff; just piling on solder can result in weak connections. Make sure you have a good soldering iron that’s appropriate for the job. It might also be handy to have solder wick or a solder pump to remove the old stuff. A lot of people have their preferences, but I find a suction device tends to work better for me. There are some nice practice kits available, like ones for making a digital clock – they can be a lot of fun and help build your skills!
If you're new to this, a good rule of thumb is: only proceed if you can afford to replace the laptop. $220 CAD is a pretty reasonable price for professional work, especially since repair shops often have a minimum charge. I'm all for DIY projects, but I usually suggest starting with something that's not as crucial. If you do decide to go for it, just be careful and take your time!
Thanks. Since you're into IT, would you say it's just about adding a little solder to each leg? If that's all, I might just give it a shot myself because my charging port is loose.
Thanks for the resources!