Power jack repair and modification techniquies. All laptops.

The power jack failure is a very common problem in laptops. It doesn't matter who makes your laptop, the power jack failure might occur with any brand and model.

By the way, the power jack also known as power socket or DC-IN jack. It's a connector on the back or side of your laptop where you plug the AC adapter.

Before you jump in, make sure your problem is not related to the AC adapter. Test your adapter with a voltmeter. Make sure the power isn't cutting off when you move the power cable.



Most common power jack failure symptoms:
1. The AC adapter stops charging the battery unless you move the power plug inside the jack.
2. The laptop switches from AC to battery power when you move the power cord.
3. The laptop is not getting any power from a known AC adapter.

In this thread I would like to summarize most common power jack repair techniques which should work for all laptop brands and models.

1. Power jack soldered to the motherboard.

If the jack is soldered to the motherboard and it fails

- You'll have to unsolder the jack



- Clean leads on the jack and contacts on the motherboard



- Solder the old (or new) power jack back in place.



More details about this repair here: Replace broken power jack yourself.


2. Power jack soldered to the motherboard but you would like to relocate the jack outside the laptop case.

- You'll have to unsolder the old jack from the motherboard.
- Connect a new power jack to the motherboard via wires.



More details about this repair here: Relocate power jack outside the case.


3. The power jack is a part of the DC-IN harness and can be unplugged from the motherboard.

- Simply replace the DC-IN harness with a new one.




4. The power jack is a part of the DC-IN harness but you would like to replace it with a generic jack.

- Cut off the old damaged jack.



- Solder a new generic jack to the original harness.



More details about this repair here: Replace original power jack with a generic power jack.

WARNING! Do this repair at your own risk. If you are going with repairs 2 and 4 make sure the jack is soldered properly and the polarity is correct.
If you solder the jack incorrectly you will fry the motherboard.

 

Good guide! I'd like to take the chance to point to this thread, which covers in more detail the case of Fujitsu-Siemens jacks.

If you find it useful, instead of repping me, please post a "thank you" on the website of the guy who wrote the original guide.