Chosen Solution
I have a Nexus 7 (2014) (says ASUS on the back along with the NEXUS name). I’ve always had a little bit of trouble seating the micro-usb connector for charging but a couple of days ago it indicated that, even though connected, I needed to connect to charger. I moved the cable connector about a little and once or twice it indicated that it was connected and then immediately that it was not. I haven’t been able to find that “sweet spot” again and now the battery is dead. I believe that the micro-usb port is loose/bad and am looking for a way to repair or replace the port. Everything I find on the internet is for 2012 or 2013 models. I would really rather fix this that have to scrap it for something so basic. And, besides, I love the picture clarity and size and the new tablets that are coming out all seem to be larger.
Hi @georgeoomment, If you are happy to just be able to charge your tablet so that you can use it, it may be easier to purchase a wireless charger, (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0041RR…) than to find a replacement daughterboard (on which the USB connector is mounted) which is compatible with your particular model Nexus 7 2nd gen tablet or to replace the USB port connector itself. You will of course not have USB connectivity, but at least your tablet can be charged and be used.
Looking at the nexus 2nd generation (I assume that is what you mean by 2014 model) tear down guide shown in the link below you can see that the micro USB port is connected to the daughter board located at the bottom of the device. The only way to replace the USB port is to replace this board. There is no point trying to solder on a new port as it would be near impossible and you may also ruin the board unless you are really good at soldering and have the right equipment. You best bet is to try and find a cheap second hand daughter board for it if possible. Nexus 7 2nd Generation Teardown
This is not a hard problem to fix. The Nexus 7 opens easily and you only need to remove the back to access the USB port. You do not need to disassemble the unit beyond opening. The USB connector is surface mount soldered to the board. The problem is that the physical flexion causes the solder joints to break; in my case, it was a combination of force plus a marginal solder connection on pin 1. You will need a fine tipped soldering iron designed for SMT work. Pins 1 and 5 are connected to a plane, so they need plenty of heat. Reflowing the connections on all the pins did the trick for me. You need not unsolder the connector. I also tightened up the connector itself using some pliers; the housing of the connector is just crimped and it also gets loose. Good luck.
Hi all, I’ve been following this thread since about June last year when my Google Nexus 7 2nd gen stopped charging, and I finally took it in to an IT guy last week, telling him in my layman’s understanding what everyone had said on here. Anyway he took it apart and yup, the port had come away from the board. It’s all been soldered and is now working! Thanks all :)
Same issue for me..it wouldn’t want to charge unless I found the “sweet spot”..eventually the port just broke off & I’ve been charging it wirelessly for a long time..I lost the tiny little micro usb port and now I’m wanting to be able to plug this tablet into a slimport/mhl hdmi so I want to attempt fixing the charging port..I have a soldering iron but no original port..if I order a port would it have to be one for the 2nd gen nexus or are all the ports basically the same? Also I noticed a few ppl said not to just get a port but instead get the entire daughterboard..suggestions plz?! Thanks!!
Mine had a sweet spot, and put off fixing/investigating it. I just had to do a little ‘metal massaging’ on the outer shell for it to grab tighter.
