Xperia Z - micro USB port weak point

[Becky]

The micro USB port on my z has stopped receiving charge and won't even allow the charger to be plugged into it any more.

The port is uniform in shape which doesn't allow you to know which way round to plug the charger, so you have to guess. Guessing places stress on the pins inside the port. In my case, they seem to have suffered because of this (imho) design fault. USBs can only be inserted one way round, so the user needs to know which way to insert it.

I am wondering if this will be a common weak spot on these phones once they have been in circulation a while?

[GeoffH]

I agree they are tiny and difficult to see which way is the right way to insert - I have a label on my usb cable that I determined had to be pointing in a certain direction to ensure it was the correct orientation - there is only one way it will go into the socket because it is in fact shaped that way

you need to get something to mgnify the port and inspect it for damage - if you see something out of shape you may be able to restore it  delicatly - otherwise I fear you may have damaged either plug or socket through faulty insertion - I'd be hoping the damage is on the cable end but if not then I'd play dumb and return if stating you cannot get the charger to work (never have) since out of the box and hope they will replace it

[Becky]

My Xperia Z port is symmetrical. At least, if there is any asymmetry, it is imperceptible to normal human vision.

I've just re-examined it again and it really is, even with my (magnifying) spectacles on on top of my contact lenses, a symmetrical port. Even though USB cables are not.

You have had the good idea of labelling your cable...but should one have to do this?? I am going to do it once the phone is repaired though 😉 thanks for the tip.

[GeoffH]

it may be rounded now but I can assure you it didn't start out that way lol - I have a dock now and very rarely use the usb interface but the sides of the socket are definately tapered  \_____/ like that

you may still be able to get it to work if you insert it as I have indicated

does it charge from PC if you can insert the plug the right way - you may have blown the mains charger by inserting upsidedown - just a thought

[GeoffH]

there was a white label on the cable already - I was very careful when first using it then noticed the direcion of the label was always the same - if you force these little plugs you will damage them if they are the wrong way

[Becky]

Yes, the end of the charging cable has a bit of a taper to it, but the actual port on the phone doesn't and never did have!! I haven't been that heavy handed on it to round it off LOL!! I have only ever pushed the cable in until met with a little resistance, then try the other way round.

Here's a pic. Sorry for slight blur, but needed to zoom a bit to get close enough.

[Becky]

better pic

[Lemon]

Looks a little damaged from forcing the USB cable into it, on my phone, the central, horizontal 5-pin bar is much closer to the bottom, as you look at the photograph, so you need to push it down slightly...

And, looking at your photograph, your USB cable is upside down.

So you need to push the central 5-pin connection down, closer to the bottom, turn the USB cable the other way around, and enter.

It doesn't help that the 'sd-card' label on the adjacent flap is the opposite way around from what one would normally perceive as being top and bottom!

[Becky]

Ok, so the phone (as you are aware) is on its back in the photo. With that in mind, the USB cable should be inserted with its widest part of the connector in line with the back of the phone, the narrowest part of the taper should be uppermost?

There was no way of knowing this without trying it. Not to me, anyway. The port in the phone doesn't indicate it with its shape (like my HTC Desire HD does - its port matches the end of the cable, so there is no margin for error).

I had a look in the ony warranty...it does say something about the item will be covered if used in a 'normal' manner, which I believe I have done. I personally feel its a design fault. Don't you think it is?? 🙂

I tried pushing the central 5-pin connection down, but the cable still can't be pushed in. I don't want to make the situation any worse...not that it could be worse than "not working" LOL

[Jeff]

The shape of the USB-connection port is used in other products as well, so it's not not new or unique to the Xperia Z.

My biggest concern is that you didn't mention feeling any resistance when trying to put it in (I assume it only happened once, the first time) and managed to to this.

About your next step... you really should give us a call, and talk about what can be done. These processes can vary by region.