Repair Micro USB cable

Darn. Your recable has a cable break? Sure, that’s annoying at first – but not a big problem! Because recable is a repairable charging cable. With a few simple steps (and basic tools) you can easily repair it yourself.

Why is this a good idea? By repairing your charging cable, you do something good for the planet. Because you avoid electronic waste and conserve resources. Also, you don’t have to buy a new cable and save money. A win-win situation for you and the environment!

Ready? – Then let's get started!

Difficulty: easy
Time required: 20 - 30 min

What you need

Tools for repairing USB cables with Micro USB plug, such as cutter, lighter & pliers
  • Side cutter
  • Combination pliers
  • Utility knife
  • Lighter
  • heat shrink tube
    (We use a heat shrink tube ratio of 3:1 with an initial diameter of 9.5 mm. Here to find.)

Tip: If you are missing one of the tools, you don't have to buy it new. Instead, borrow it from neighbors, friends, or your family. Maybe there is also a Repair Café near you that can help.

Let's get started!

Step 1

Step 1 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I remove the heat shrink tube with a cutter? Close-up
  • Unplug recable from the power supply, interrupt the power.
  • Carefully cut the heat shrink tube lengthwise with the cutter.
  • Peel the heat shrink tube off the connector housing with your fingers.

Step 2

Step 2 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I bend open the strain relief with the knife? How do I open the closure? Close-up
  • Use the cutter to bend open both clamps of the strain relief.
  • Run the cutter between the housing closure.
  • Carefully guide the top back over the locking tabs.

Step 3

Step 3 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I bend open the housing? How do I open the cutting clamp? Close-up
  • Carefully bend open the metal housing with your fingers – not too far, as the metal hinge might break. Remove the housing.
  • Open the cutting clamp with the cutter by levering the inner part (turquoise) over the locking points.
    Caution, the plastic breaks easily!

Step 4

Step 4 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I pull out the strands and cut the cable? Close-up
  • Pull the strands out of the cutting clamp.
  • Cleanly cut the cable with the side cutter.

Step 5

Step 5 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I expose the cable? How do I melt the braided sleeve? Close-up
  • Expose the cable with the side cutter to about 1.5 cm.
  • Melt the ends of the braided sleeve with the lighter.
  • For natural fiber braided sleeves, you may need to use a strip of Washi tape to secure the braided sleeve against fraying.

Step 6

Step 6 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I expose strands and how must I sort them? Close-up
  • Expose the strands over a length of 8 mm.
  • Carefully score the cable jacket all around with the cutter (not too deep!) and pull it off with your fingers.
  • Sort the strands by colors in the following order:
    red (Power supply)
    white (Data-)
    green (Data+)
    black (GND)

Step 7

Step 7 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I insert strands? How do I secure strands? Close-up
  • Slide the strands into the cutting clamp.
    The holes are marked with r (red), w (white), g (green) and b (black).
  • Press the cutting clamp together with the Combination pliers. Make sure that the cutting clamp sits flush.
  • Now smooth the braided sleeve on the cable up to the plug.

Step 8

Step 8 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I attach the housing with the pliers? Close-up
  • Place the housing around the cutting clamp and close it with your fingers.
  • Press the housing together with the Combination pliers. The locking points close the housing.

Step 9

Step 9 How do I repair a USB charging cable with Micro-USB plug? How do I press the housing clamp together? Close-up
  • Place the shielding wire into the strain relief as well.
  • Press the strain relief clamps firmly together with the Combination pliers.

Step 10

Step 10 Repair charging cable with Micro USB, How do I shrink the heat shrink tube with a lighter? Close-up
  • Now slide the heat shrink tube over the Micro-USB plug and shrink it with the lighter.
    Do not bring the flame too close. Otherwise, the heat shrink tube will get sooty. To avoid this, you can also use a hot air gun instead of the lighter.

You did it!

By repairing your recable, you have made a small but important contribution to environmental protection. That is great!

 

Where to put the waste

after repairing the USB cable, proper waste separation, yellow bin, residual waste, tubes, electronic waste, etc., graphic

If something should have broken during the repair, you will find here Spare parts.