I accidentally shorted a USB-C cable that was plugged into my PC and saw a spark when a small piece of metal fell into the connector. I quickly blew it out, but then I smelled something charred. My headphones briefly lost all audio and then suddenly played at a much higher volume before returning to normal. My PC didn't turn off, and the cable still has a faint burnt smell if I hold it close. I'm hesitant to throw it away since it's for an important device, but I don't have a replacement that's long enough. Is it safe to keep using this cable or should I definitely get rid of it? Also, should I avoid using the USB port it was connected to? I do have a USB hub as an alternative.
5 Answers
I had a similar experience, and as long as your PC is still functioning normally, it probably is just fine. Just treat it as another port and carry on!
Plug it in and see if it works! Just be cautious and make sure everything else is still operational. You don’t want to risk damaging anything further.
You should be fine. Most USB ports have individual protections that prevent damage. Just keep an eye on it for any unusual behavior, but it sounds like your motherboard handled it well based on your description.
Check your device manager for any red Xs next to the USB devices listed there. If everything looks good, you’re likely in the clear!
Look, you were concerned enough to ask someone about it, so obviously you have some doubts. Yes, it's possible it could be fine, but there's no way to be 100% sure without inspecting everything. Just keep it monitored!
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