Repair USB C cable (with USB C host) - short connector

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

Why is this a good idea? By repairing your charging cable, you are doing something good for the planet. Because you avoid electrical waste and conserve resources. You also don't need to buy a new cable and save money. A win-win situation for you and the environment!

USB C to USB C Cable - Which plug do you have?

We use a longer and a shorter plug for our USB C to USB C cables. Compare your connector with the picture. These instructions are for the shorter connector.

Do you have the longer connector? Click here for the instructions with the long connector.

Variants Size Comparison small/large USB C Connector, graphic

Ready? - Then let's get started!

Difficulty: medium
Time required: approx. 30 min

What you need

Tools for repairing a USB C charging cable, such as soldering iron and cutter knife
  • Side cutters
  • Combination pliers
  • Soldering iron
  • Solder
  • Cutter knife
  • Lighter
  • heat shrink tube
    (We use a shrinkage ratio of 3:1 with an initial diameter of 9.5 mm. Can be found here ).

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

Let's go!

Step 1

Step 1 Repair charging cable with short USB C plug, How to heat shrink tube off, close up
  • Unplug recable from the power supply, disconnect the power supply.
  • Carefully cut the heat shrink tube lengthwise with the cutter-knife.
  • Peel the heat shrink tube from the connector housing with your fingers.

Step 2

Step 2 Repair charging cable with short USB C plug, How to unbend strain relief clamps, close up
  • Use the cutter-knife to bend open both clips of the strain relief.

Step 3

Step 3 Repair charging cable with short USB C connector, How to bend up metal case, close up
  • Carefully bend the metal housing open with your fingers - not too far, otherwise the metal hinge will break.
  • Use the cutter to prise open the latches in the middle of the casing. You can also use a needle for this.
  • Take off the casing.

Step 4

Step 4 Repair charging cable with short USB C connector, How to desolder stranded wires, close up
  • Heat a soldering contact with the soldering iron until the solder melts.
  • Move the connector so that the stranded wire comes off the solder pad.
  • Repeat the process for all five connections. A "third hand" can make your work easier.

Step 5

Step 5 Repair charging cable with short USB C plug, How to clip off damaged area, close up picture
  • Cleanly cut off the damaged area on the cable with the side cutter.
  • Use the side cutters to free the cable to approx. 1.5 cm from braided sleeve.
  • Carefully fuse the ends of the braided hose together with the lighter.
  • For the natural fibre braided sleeves, you may need to use a strip of Washitape to
    secure the braided sleeve against unravelling.

Step 6

Step 6 Repair charging cable with short USB C connector, How to expose strands, close up
  • Expose the strands over a length of 8 mm.
  • Carefully cut the sheath of the cable all around with the cutter (not too deep!) and pull it off with your fingers.
  • The cable has a PET core. Shorten it with the side cutter.

Step 7

Step 7 Repair charging cable with short USB C plug, How to remove insulation to 3mm, close up
  • Score the insulation of the stranded wire 3 mm behind the end. Pull off the insulation with your fingers.
  • Repeat this step for all five strands.

Step 8

Step 8 Repair charging cable with short USB C connector, How to impregnate stranded wires with solder, closeup
  • Soak the stranded wire with solder by heating it with the soldering iron and adding the solder. Clean your soldering tip in between, e.g. with a wet piece of kitchen roll.
  • Repeat the step for all five strands.

Step 9

Step 9 Repair charging cable with short USB C connector, How to sort & solder stranded wires, closeup
  • Sort the strands by colour in the following order:
    red (power supply)
    white (data-)
    green (data+)
    blue (cc)
    black (GND)
  • Join the stranded wire and the matching solder pad. Fuse the two together with the soldering iron.
  • Repeat the step for all five strands.
  • Tip: Start with the middle strand and work your way out.

Step 10

Step 10 Repair charging cable with short USB C plug, How to put case over & squeeze clamps together, close up
  • Press the latches in the middle of the casing back with the cutter.
  • Place the housing over the USB-C connector.
  • Smooth out the braided sleeve on the cable, all the way into the strain relief.

Step 11

Step 11 Repair charging cable with short USB C plug, How to squeeze clamps, close up
  • Place the stranded wire of the shielding in the strain relief.
  • Press the casing shut with your fingers.
  • Press the clamps of the strain relief firmly with the Combination pliers .

Step 12

Step 12 Repair charging cable with short USB C plug, How to heat shrink tube put over & shrink on, close up
  • Slip the heat shrink tube over the USB-C plug and shrink it with the lighter.
    Do not get too close with the flame. The heat shrink tube will otherwise become sooty. To avoid this, you can also use a heat gun instead of the lighter.

You did it!

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

 

Where to put the rubbish?
Repair charging cable with short USB C plug, waste products, how to dispose of garbage, graphics

If something should have broken during the repair, you can find spare parts here.