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Help Micro USB charging socket is awful

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Phil1927

Newbie
Hi guys

I have had my Google Nexus 7 (2012) since summer and I love it. My only niggle is the charging socket is the worst I've encountered on any device I have ever owned (and I'm going back to the original cassette player days). Does anybody have any tips, etc, to make it more secure when you plug the micro usb in? Mine only stays in if you plug it in and pretty much leave it untouched. If not, the slightest knock will make the cable fall out.

Cheers everyone.
 
I've heard this complaint before but have never experienced it personally.

I have doubts that it's a faulty socket, more likely the plug on the USB lead which has little bent "springs" in the sides that are supposed to give it a bit of a "click" when inserted. Over time these bits of bent metal can lose their springiness, leading to a loose plug.

You can probably bend them a bit with a pointy tool, otherwise try a different cable to establish whether that's the culprit and if so get a replacement cable.

That said mine has always been fine; perhaps I'm just super-careful when using micro USB connectors :-)
 
My 2012 N7's micro USB is still a good fit after more than a year of use. Are you using the cable that came with the N7 or a replacement?

You might consider buying a dock that uses the POGO connector for charging.
 
I'm using my Nexus 7 for navigation in my work van (Ford E250), with the tablet in landscape orientation. It's a rough ride at times and I've never had an issue with the charging cable remaining in place.
 
Get the ASUS dock. I charge mine in the dock almost all the time and don't have to deal with the crappy MicroUSB port. They're discounted on Amazon now.
 
Having just replaced the charging port on a 2012 N7, I can confirm it is poorly constructed. The metal external frame has nothing to support is from becoming disfigured by internal pressure (i.e. a tug on the charging cable).
 
Unforgiven said:
Having just replaced the charging port on a 2012 N7, I can confirm it is poorly constructed. The metal external frame has nothing to support is from becoming disfigured by internal pressure (i.e. a tug on the charging cable).
Click to expand...

Where did you get the charging port from? I need to do the same repair on my 2012 N7 (I'm currently charging using the pogo pins) but in the UK replacement USB/headphone assemblies are so expensive it would be cheaper to buy a broken N7 from ebay.
 
Yeah I have had the same issue with both my (2012) N7. Mainly because the kids aren't careful with the tablet. I have found if you are very careful you can use needle nose pliers to compress the port a little to tighten it back up a little. Get something to protect the screen (cloth or cardboard), and with one side of the pliers on that side, put the other side on the little metal tab that sticks out a little bit on the port and gently squeeze.
 
I agree - this USB charging cable is not a good solution. I have seen cheaper tablets that have a neat charging plug similar to a 3.5mm plug. Those things are a lot sturdier.
 
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