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USB Cable Repair

Introduction

Most USB cables consist of four wires: red, black, white, and green. Some newer cables have eight wires, but the same steps apply. If the USB plug itself is damaged, you'll need to remove and replace the whole plug itself. Otherwise, just the damaged portion of the cable can be removed.

What you need

  1. USB Cable Repair, USB Cable Repair: step 1, image 1 of 3 USB Cable Repair, USB Cable Repair: step 1, image 2 of 3 USB Cable Repair, USB Cable Repair: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the broken portion of the USB cable with the wire cutters.

    • You should now have two pieces of the cable left. If you had to remove the whole USB plug, you'll need a replacement plug.

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  2. USB Cable Repair: step 2, image 1 of 3 USB Cable Repair: step 2, image 2 of 3 USB Cable Repair: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Cut the outer cable covering with wire cutters or scissors of both cables and be careful not to cut the wires themselves.

    • Pull off the piece of cover that you've separated from the rest. You should be left with four exposed individual wires.

    • There should be four wires, and occasionally a piece of string too. If there are fewer wires, then you've clipped one off, and you need to start over.

    • If there are more than 4 wires, you probably have a USB 3.0 cable. In this case, make sure that whatever wires you'll be reconnecting are both USB 3.0.

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  4. USB Cable Repair: step 3, image 1 of 2 USB Cable Repair: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Strip all the wires out from both cables using a wire stripper. You'll need about three quarters of an inch of exposed copper wire.

    • If you don't have a wire stripper, you can strip the wires the same way as you exposed these wires. Gently cut the outer insulation, then pull off the insulation.

    • When stripping wires, do not cut or damage the copper wires. If you do damage the wire, cut off the damaged portion and try again.

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  5. USB Cable Repair: step 4, image 1 of 2 USB Cable Repair: step 4, image 2 of 2
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  6. USB Cable Repair: step 5, image 1 of 3 USB Cable Repair: step 5, image 2 of 3 USB Cable Repair: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Wrap each wire in electrical tape and make sure that there is no exposed copper showing.

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  7. USB Cable Repair: step 6, image 1 of 2 USB Cable Repair: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Wrap all the wires and both cables together in electrical tape to connect everything back into one cable and so it lasts longer.

    Edit
Conclusion

Once your device is assembled and taped up then the repair is done and you can go back and do this multiple times.

32 other people completed this guide.

Author

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David

Member since: 01/16/13

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Team

Cal Poly, Team 18-36, Regan Winter 2013 Member of Cal Poly, Team 18-36, Regan Winter 2013

CPSU-REGAN-W13S18G36

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30 Guides authored

7 Comments

thanks you verb much

obito uchiha - Reply

What if it has a wire shield around it? Like crazy silver wires wrapped around it?

Bethany Marshall - Reply

Then slowly wnwrap it not to remove it. And when u have repaired wires and taped them re wrap with silver shielding if it does have shielding it best to add a step to the repair and tbats to add a short section of shrink tubeing just big enough to cover spliced section and shielding. Once shielding is wrapped slid tubeing over repaired section and apply heat a hairdryer on high heat will work as well.

kotanwolf -

i tried solding the same wires but it still do not work

Faizan Ali - Reply

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