how to fix laptop power jack without soldering

If you are a college student or business owner, then chances are you use your laptop to complete the majority of your work, whether that be writing your latest paper or crunching numbers for your company. And although owning a laptop is a privilege that we should all be grateful for, this does not mean that portable laptops do not come with their various pros and cons.

For example, if you have recently noticed that your laptop is not charging or is acting slow, then this could be the result of a faulty DC power jack.

Not only are power jacks the source of your laptop's power, but they also help to charge the computer's battery, which helps to keep your laptop in working condition. So if you have a faulty power jack, you may be wondering what you can do to fix it.

Well, there are various techniques you can use to fix your broken power jack, with some utilizing engineering skills such as technical knowledge and soldering.

However, if you are not experienced in these crafts, then there are other ways you can fix your laptop without having to use any special tools.

How To Fix A Laptop Power Jack Without Soldering

So if you want to know how to fix your power supply without soldering, then you have come to the right place.

In the following article, we are going to teach you how to fix your power jack in three easy ways that don't require any previous knowledge or soldering experience.

So if you are ready to fix your computer without seeking any professional help, then we have everything you need to get started…

What Is A Laptop Power Jack?

The DC power jack is considered to be one of the most vital parts of your laptop, as it is the part that allows you to charge your battery, providing your computer with a steady flow of power.

This is why a broken or faulty power jack can be extremely stressful, as this could result in your laptop losing power and being rendered completely useless.

What Can Damage A Power Jack?

Before we can show you how to fix your power jack, you must first understand the cause of the damage:

Common Causes

Lack of reinforcement in the motherboard
Loose parts due to age and excessive use
When the charger has been forced or pulled
Poor soldering job on the power jack itself

Types Of Damage

Damaged internal pins
Damaged power jack
DC generates sparks or heat
DC breaks off the computer
Burnt connection

What Are The Signs That Your Power Jack Is Faulty?

Because there are many different types of damage that could affect your DC power jack, this means that different faults will often display different symptoms.

So if your laptop is displaying any of the signs that we have outlined below, then this could mean that your power jack is faulty:

Sudden shutdowns
Power flickers on and off
The battery won't charge
Can't run the computer on AC power
The charging cable needs to be wiggled to work
The adapter produces spark
The power jack only works at specific angles

Can You Fix Your Power Jack Without Soldering?

Although it is possible to fix your power jack without soldering, this can only be done if your power jack is connected to the motherboard by a wire connector.

However, if your power jack was soldered directly into the motherboard and it has broken off, then you will not be able to fix it without the use of a soldering iron.

Now that you understand the various components that can damage your power jack, let's take a look at how you can fix it without soldering.

In the following sections, we have outlined three easy ways you can fix your power jack without soldering or seeking professional help.

Let's get started…

How To Glue A Broken Power Jack

If you have noticed that your laptop is not charging properly, then this could be the result of a broken or loose power jack. This means that the power jack has disconnected from the motherboard and may need to be replaced.

However, you can also temporarily secure the broken power jack using glue, which should only be used as a last resort if you need your laptop for work or educational purposes.

So if you want to know how you can glue your broken power jack, just follow these simple steps:

Remove the outer casing of your laptop using a drill or screwdriver, as this will allow you to access the motherboard and determine the cause of the problem.
Locate the power jack and check to see if the piece is loose or wobbly, if it displays these attributes then this could mean that the power jack has broken away from the motherboard.
Take your charging cable and connect it to the power jack, as this will help secure the jack in its correct position.
Take a hot glue gun and apply the adhesive to the bottom and sides of the power jack.
Hold the power jack in place until the glue has dried to a rubbery substance, then recover the motherboard using the casing you originally removed.

How To Fix A Power Jack With A Separate Connector

For this particular method, you will first need to check the voltage of your power jack. This can be done following these steps:

Approach your laptop and unplug the power jack connector from the motherboard.
Take your adapter and attach it to the DC power jack.
Check the power jack voltage, this shouldn't display the voltage that you would expect.

When you have checked the power jack's voltage, you can then begin working on the repairs:

Connect the power jack to the motherboard while applying slight pressure.
Take heat shrinking tubes and attach them to the power jack as a reinforcement.
When you have done this, recheck the voltage and the correct number should appear.
Finish by reassembling your laptop and covering the motherboard.

How To Fix A Soldered Power Jack

If the power jack has been soldered to the motherboard, then you will need to utilize some technical skills to fix it.

However, if you are uncomfortable proceeding with this particular method, then we recommend seeking the help of a professional technician.

In the following sections, we have outlined two different ways that you can fix a soldered power jack, depending on the damage originally caused:

Loose Power Jack

Although dry welding can help to resolve this particular issue, for the best results you will need to make sure that the power jack is eventually resoldered. This can be done by following these steps:

Remove the outer casing of your laptop using a drill or screwdriver.
Locate the power jack and apply flux to the various pins.
When you have done this, solder the power jack to protect it from future damage.

Damaged Track Or Pins

If you accidentally create a wrong connection with the pins then you could render your laptop completely unusable, so we recommend approaching this next method with practice and caution:

Remove the outer casing of your laptop using a drill or screwdriver.
Identify the damaged track using +VE, GND or a sensing signal.
Solder the wire from the jack pins to where the track reaches.
When you have done this, apply hot glue or epoxy to reinforce the connection and ensure safety.

About the author

At LinuxHint we have a specialized team focused on studying the Laptop Computer market and writing about this space, providing reviews and insights to users to both make the right decisions about which laptops to purchase and also show tips and tricks on how to get the most value from your machine