I'm tired of USB-C cord issues. Is there anything that can be done?
June 23, 2024 11:38 AM Subscribe
Are all C ports just trash? Do I really need to buy the most expensive cords to get them to work when they plug in? Is there anything to improve these things and their lack of good charging?
I have an Android phone that takes C connectors. I have long since had the original cords die and have bought a shit ton of replacement cords, because C cords start to deteriorate/become slow charging and/or die and/or fall out easily*, blah blah blah. I just replaced all my cords and there's varying levels of success as to charging at home or in the car. I'm annoyed when I put it on to charge all night, it indicates that it's plugged in, and then proceeded to not charge in all night. I just put in a brand new cord in the car and it's shorting out and the GPS is stopping working because it's lost its connection.
* I'm aware that one can just have the lint cleared out. Yes, I tried that.
Do I really have to buy The Most Expensive Ones to make them stay in the port and charge? Is there anything that works better? Usually I just get them at random stores when I come across them or Target or whatever since the things seem fairly disposable. But C ports just...don't seem to latch in, stay and work like Apple ones.
I have an Android phone that takes C connectors. I have long since had the original cords die and have bought a shit ton of replacement cords, because C cords start to deteriorate/become slow charging and/or die and/or fall out easily*, blah blah blah. I just replaced all my cords and there's varying levels of success as to charging at home or in the car. I'm annoyed when I put it on to charge all night, it indicates that it's plugged in, and then proceeded to not charge in all night. I just put in a brand new cord in the car and it's shorting out and the GPS is stopping working because it's lost its connection.
* I'm aware that one can just have the lint cleared out. Yes, I tried that.
Do I really have to buy The Most Expensive Ones to make them stay in the port and charge? Is there anything that works better? Usually I just get them at random stores when I come across them or Target or whatever since the things seem fairly disposable. But C ports just...don't seem to latch in, stay and work like Apple ones.
At this point I only bother to buy cords from Anker. (I believe those are the second-most expensive. The most expensive are the ones from Apple.) It's hard enough to keep track of all the different types of USB C cords without also having to deal with random failures.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 11:43 AM on June 23 [13 favorites]
posted by Winnie the Proust at 11:43 AM on June 23 [13 favorites]
Seconding Anker
posted by seemoorglass at 12:07 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
posted by seemoorglass at 12:07 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
Is there anything that works better?
braided cables last longer, in my experience. the junction between the cable and connector should also be durable
posted by HearHere at 12:17 PM on June 23 [8 favorites]
braided cables last longer, in my experience. the junction between the cable and connector should also be durable
posted by HearHere at 12:17 PM on June 23 [8 favorites]
The thing about USB C cords is that you can’t see damage to the contact surfaces of the cords or the devices.
On Apple's Lightning cords you can see it though, and over time the contacts become blackened and corroded, and cease to work very well and ultimately become non-functional.
I’m convinced this damage is mainly from electrical sparks that are generated when the connection is broken at the device while current is flowing.
So the solution for long lasting cords would be to break the connection only when no current is flowing.
For wall bricks this would mean pulling it out of the wall before pulling the cord out of your device OR the brick. For cars it would mean breaking the connection at the last interface with the car.
posted by jamjam at 12:20 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
On Apple's Lightning cords you can see it though, and over time the contacts become blackened and corroded, and cease to work very well and ultimately become non-functional.
I’m convinced this damage is mainly from electrical sparks that are generated when the connection is broken at the device while current is flowing.
So the solution for long lasting cords would be to break the connection only when no current is flowing.
For wall bricks this would mean pulling it out of the wall before pulling the cord out of your device OR the brick. For cars it would mean breaking the connection at the last interface with the car.
posted by jamjam at 12:20 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
I've got USB-C Anker cables that have lasted for years and are still charging perfectly. It's unfortunate that they're so expensive, but they're cheaper than continually replacing cables that only last a few months.
posted by Jeanne at 12:21 PM on June 23
posted by Jeanne at 12:21 PM on June 23
As soon as I started using plugs that protect and keep my USB-C ports clean, I stopped having problems with cords and connections. I now buy them in large numbers and give them to friends for free.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 12:48 PM on June 23 [4 favorites]
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 12:48 PM on June 23 [4 favorites]
I use Anker cords. Every time I use a different brand, it gives out quickly.
posted by twelve cent archie at 1:05 PM on June 23
posted by twelve cent archie at 1:05 PM on June 23
OK a couple things. First my personal experience. I've never experienced a single usb-c falling out. And this is across a family of 4 with like 20 different devices. So.... Not sure what's up with that.
2nd. There is and can be a difference between usb-c cords. They are absolutely made to different standards and as a result you should expect different outcomes. If you're buying quality ones from target maybe you have good results but if you're indiscriminately buying one's eithiur verifying what wattage they support etc then I could see some issues. The good news is like pretty much everyone else said anker for the win. I buy their green packaging plant based jacketed ones. They're not very expensive compared to something in a brick and mortar (I'd say around had the cost or less) and as others have said I have dozens that have lasted for years. Unless they get abused they have never caused me an issue.
posted by chasles at 1:17 PM on June 23
2nd. There is and can be a difference between usb-c cords. They are absolutely made to different standards and as a result you should expect different outcomes. If you're buying quality ones from target maybe you have good results but if you're indiscriminately buying one's eithiur verifying what wattage they support etc then I could see some issues. The good news is like pretty much everyone else said anker for the win. I buy their green packaging plant based jacketed ones. They're not very expensive compared to something in a brick and mortar (I'd say around had the cost or less) and as others have said I have dozens that have lasted for years. Unless they get abused they have never caused me an issue.
posted by chasles at 1:17 PM on June 23
If you have a phone case, make sure it's not the fit of the cable through the case that's causing issues. Some cables are a tight fit through my current case, and the rubbery material of the case seems to gradually push the plug out. It doesn't happen when I use cables with a very slim connector.
posted by pipeski at 1:25 PM on June 23 [2 favorites]
posted by pipeski at 1:25 PM on June 23 [2 favorites]
Just the other day, I learned about these gizmos. Essentially, they're magsafe adapters for USB-C ports. You put the plug into the port and leave it there; the accompanying cable magnetically connects to the outside of the plug. If the cable gets yanked, the magnetic connection will be broken without damaging the USB-C socket. Not sure if this would solve your problem, but it might.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 1:41 PM on June 23 [3 favorites]
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 1:41 PM on June 23 [3 favorites]
I use these magnetic connectors for USB-C* and I'm generally happy with them. They occasionally go bad, and occasionally they don't connect on first attempt, so I disconnect, run my finger over both faces of the plug and cable connectors, and try again. I tried the one linked above, but I prefer this one because it has a 180-degree hinge on the cable adapter, so that I don't need extra slack in the cable to make sure the connection between the adapters is straight.
I've had the occasional rare failure; for example, it appears the plug-adapter plugged into my tablet as failed; I couldn't get it working last night. I also had one of the cable-adapters go bad, over the last year since I switched.
Using a magnet is occasionally fraught as it naturally just doesn't hold as well as the plug, but also makes for easier connections/disconnections. For the one in my car, hitting a bump can cause a brief disconnect which interrupts whatever audio I'm playing from my phone. (No interruption if I switch to bluetooth, certainly, but I get fewer features on the car's display that way.)
As for cords in general, well, they are thin pieces of copper inside a plastic tube; they can be damaged pretty easily if the cord gets hit with the wrong thing, so don't leave cables on the floor when possible, don't use them to carry a load such as your phone, don't wind them too tight. Braided is better (and stiffer, generally), as noted above. I use cable organizer things to hang cables out of the way, not because I'm an organized person, but because I'm a cheapskate and it makes cables last longer.
*actually each adapter comes with 1 cable adapter and 3 plug adapters: Micro USB, Lightning, and USB-C.
posted by Sunburnt at 2:01 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
I've had the occasional rare failure; for example, it appears the plug-adapter plugged into my tablet as failed; I couldn't get it working last night. I also had one of the cable-adapters go bad, over the last year since I switched.
Using a magnet is occasionally fraught as it naturally just doesn't hold as well as the plug, but also makes for easier connections/disconnections. For the one in my car, hitting a bump can cause a brief disconnect which interrupts whatever audio I'm playing from my phone. (No interruption if I switch to bluetooth, certainly, but I get fewer features on the car's display that way.)
As for cords in general, well, they are thin pieces of copper inside a plastic tube; they can be damaged pretty easily if the cord gets hit with the wrong thing, so don't leave cables on the floor when possible, don't use them to carry a load such as your phone, don't wind them too tight. Braided is better (and stiffer, generally), as noted above. I use cable organizer things to hang cables out of the way, not because I'm an organized person, but because I'm a cheapskate and it makes cables last longer.
*actually each adapter comes with 1 cable adapter and 3 plug adapters: Micro USB, Lightning, and USB-C.
posted by Sunburnt at 2:01 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
Grandpa Gunn uses to say to me, "Johnny sometimes I can't afford a bargain." He never was buying smart phone cables, but he made a good point about quality.
Buy cheap ass cables, get cheap ass results. Buy the more expensive cables (Anker as noted above). It may be cheaper (and less frustrating) in the long run.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 4:10 PM on June 23 [2 favorites]
Buy cheap ass cables, get cheap ass results. Buy the more expensive cables (Anker as noted above). It may be cheaper (and less frustrating) in the long run.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 4:10 PM on June 23 [2 favorites]
Usually I just get them at random stores when I come across them or Target or whatever since the things seem fairly disposable
That's your problem. Pretty much what everyone has said - cheap cords get cheap results. Braided Anker cords will last you years and be trouble-free the whole time. Keep doing the lint-cleaning, maybe once a quarter or every six months, but make the investment in good cords and you'll stop having this problem pretty much immediately.
posted by pdb at 8:26 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
That's your problem. Pretty much what everyone has said - cheap cords get cheap results. Braided Anker cords will last you years and be trouble-free the whole time. Keep doing the lint-cleaning, maybe once a quarter or every six months, but make the investment in good cords and you'll stop having this problem pretty much immediately.
posted by pdb at 8:26 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
NYT/Wirecutter reviewed a wide range of USB-C cords: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-usb-c-cables/
Their top recommendation is the Belkin BoostCharge USB-C to USB-C Power Cable, and their top budget recommendation is the Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable.
posted by skwm at 8:58 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
Their top recommendation is the Belkin BoostCharge USB-C to USB-C Power Cable, and their top budget recommendation is the Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable.
posted by skwm at 8:58 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
USB C cords can support different wattages/voltages (hence why the same cord can charge both your phone and your laptop even though the two need different amounts of power). To figure out the right wattage to send, the cord communicates/does some computation with the device. Older types of cords (eg micro USB) didn't have this. That's what makes USB C cables more complex and why cheap USB C cords work so much worse than cheap micro USB or other cords.
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 9:03 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
posted by matildatakesovertheworld at 9:03 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
Ugreen and Baseus cords have also been good to me. I think I've had most of my current lot since I bought my first USB-C phone 5 years ago, only one non braided one gave out because kittens chewed on it.
posted by I claim sanctuary at 9:27 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
posted by I claim sanctuary at 9:27 PM on June 23 [1 favorite]
Everything I own that charges uses USB C. Toothbrush, phone, bathroom scale, laptop, charging stands, bike lights, lamps, e reader, etc.
I have never had a problem with USB C. In fact, I literally refuse to buy any new device that isn't USB C. It's great. But I do not buy cheap cables so can only assume that's your issue.
For years, I refused to switch to iPhone because of lightning ports and finally switched last year when they switched to USB C. Again, no issues.
posted by dobbs at 1:19 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
I have never had a problem with USB C. In fact, I literally refuse to buy any new device that isn't USB C. It's great. But I do not buy cheap cables so can only assume that's your issue.
For years, I refused to switch to iPhone because of lightning ports and finally switched last year when they switched to USB C. Again, no issues.
posted by dobbs at 1:19 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
I gave up and got a wireless charging stand for my phone. It works great and if your phone has wireless charge capability I highly recommend it.
I never had issues with my other USB-C devices, so I have to assume the problem was the pocket lint. But I am not good at cleaning it out of the port. So: wireless!
posted by hovey at 3:48 AM on June 24
I never had issues with my other USB-C devices, so I have to assume the problem was the pocket lint. But I am not good at cleaning it out of the port. So: wireless!
posted by hovey at 3:48 AM on June 24
Do these cords crap out on every USB-C device you have, or just your phone? If the common factor is your phone, it probably has a bad or damaged USB-C port. They can definitely break and repair shops that can do microsoldering can replace them.
posted by zsazsa at 5:18 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
posted by zsazsa at 5:18 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Yeah, it's just the phone, both my current model and the one before that that had C. I don't have this issue with anything else that uses C, but the phone uses different chargers per location (one in the car, one at work, one at my computer station at home, 1-2 stations in my bedroom, and the portable charger in case I spend the night elsewhere), I don't know if that's the issue since say, the laptop only uses the one cord all the time.
I actually got the port repaired on the last one entirely, it got so bad. I don't think this one is broken enough that I need to do it, but this seems to be a common thing with the Android phone models I've had.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:28 AM on June 24
I actually got the port repaired on the last one entirely, it got so bad. I don't think this one is broken enough that I need to do it, but this seems to be a common thing with the Android phone models I've had.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:28 AM on June 24
Magnetic connectors, either the circular or oval ones, but pick one and stick with it.
https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Adapter-Straight-Transfer-Thunderbolt/dp/B0B5DLL9T1
The plug stays with your phone/device, the cable "snaps" onto it. Any stress and the two separates. No shearing stress on the cable or your device port. You can buy adapters for your existing cable, or buy cable WITH those connectors built-in. I've been using these for years (since microUSB) and I've yet to have one break on it.
posted by kschang at 9:41 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Adapter-Straight-Transfer-Thunderbolt/dp/B0B5DLL9T1
The plug stays with your phone/device, the cable "snaps" onto it. Any stress and the two separates. No shearing stress on the cable or your device port. You can buy adapters for your existing cable, or buy cable WITH those connectors built-in. I've been using these for years (since microUSB) and I've yet to have one break on it.
posted by kschang at 9:41 AM on June 24 [1 favorite]
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Any chance you're putting undue up/down pressure on your cable ends? Using the cables as a tether to pull your device toward you? Dropping devices while plugged in? Stepping on them?
posted by phunniemee at 11:42 AM on June 23 [12 favorites]