USB cables are elements that are used so frequently that they are one of the mobile accessories that wear out more quickly. Therefore, it is not surprising that from time to time you are forced to buy a new one.

And it is that it is almost inevitable that the cables of mobile phones end up being damaged over time. But do not despair, in this article we will explain some possible solutions that could help you to repair your damaged USB cable.

How to fix a broken charger cable

These are some of the best tricks you can use to repair your USB cable , ranging from the simplest to the most complex:

Insulating tape

This turns out to be one of the quickest and easiest solutions to fix a damaged USB cable.

How to use electrical tape to repair a broken charger

Steps to fix your USB cable with electrical tape:

• Carefully wrap the tape around the damaged part several times to hold it still and prevent further damage.
• For even longer lasting results, consider using a spring to stabilize the frayed section, wrap it with electrical tape, or add heat shrink tubing. You can see a graphical representation of these steps in the video above.

moldable glue

If you’re looking for a more durable option than the above, then you should consider using moldable glue, also known as Formerol or Sugru. This is a flexible, silicone-based substance that, when exposed to the open air, becomes a harder material, similar to rubber. When cured, this material permanently bonds to various materials, including wire insulation.

How to use moldable glue to repair a damaged USB cable

Steps to repair a USB cable using moldable glue or Sugru:

• Open the Sugru and start molding it around the damaged area.
• Once you make sure that the exposed area is completely covered, let it sit for about 24 hours. It is important that while the 24 hours pass, do not bend the cable.
• Consider molding it along the entire length of the cable to protect it from further damage and to serve you longer. To see the steps, check out the video above.

heat shrink cable

This is a great way to fix your broken or frayed charger cable issue permanently. But, just as it turns out to be a more efficient solution, at the same time it also turns out to be a bit more cumbersome than the previous ones.

How to use heat shrink cable

Here are the steps to use a heat shrink cable:

• First, you’ll need a heat shrink tube that’s slightly longer than the USB cable you want to repair. It has to be long enough to cover the entire length of the cable and part of the charging head.
• You have to pass the USB cable inside the heat shrink tube. You can tie a string to the charging head of the cable and pull it from the other end to make the process easier. You must pull the cable until you feel a part of the charging head on the other side of the tube.
• When you notice that everything is in place, it’s time to verify that the tube is the correct length. If it is longer than it should be, cut it off.
• Now, you can start applying heat. For that, you will need a heat gun. Although, you can also use a candle or a lighter, only you should be more careful when using them.
• As you apply heat, you will notice how the heat shrink tube shrinks, adapting to the USB cable and covering any exposed part. In the same way, I invite you to take a look at the video above where the step by step is explained.

Welding

The soldering method, aside from buying a new cable, is probably your only salvation if your USB cable has completely stopped working. Although this is the most effective way to repair a USB cable, it is also the most complex. On the other hand, you lose nothing by trying. If you can get a welder and have someone who can advise you, this might actually be the best option for you.

Steps to solder a USB cable

These are the steps to follow:

• The first thing you should do is chop the wire about 5 centimeters below the area where the exposed wires are.
• You can then proceed to carefully strip the ends of the wire . You can use pliers or a cutter to strip the wire. By doing this, you will be able to see other internal wires.
• Now, the shortest part, that is, the part with the charging head, you must peel it completely. You should only have the metal part. In this way, you will be able to expose all the tin contacts of this accessory.
• Next, you must carefully strip the small internal USB cables. The intention is to expose the conductive copper and solder them to the charging port. You must be very careful when soldering them and not make a mistake. For that, I will leave you this list where it is detailed in which position each cable goes:

USB Type-C cable

1. Black to the left of C1.
2. Green.
3. White splits into R1.

Micro USB or Lightning cable

1. Positive or G: Red.
2. White.
3. Green.
4. Negative or V: Black.

Since the procedure to repair USB cable using this method turns out to be more complex, I highly recommend that instead of just reading a list of steps, you take a look at the video above. There he explains in detail how he repairs the cable.

You repaired the cable, but it still doesn’t work?

If you repaired the cable and still don’t notice any difference, it could be due to other factors affecting the charger’s performance.

outlets

If you repaired your cable and when you plug in the charger it still doesn’t respond, the problem may be with the outlet. To check, try plugging the charger into another outlet. You can also try plugging a different charger into the outlet where your charger was not responding to confirm that this is indeed the problem.

The device you are trying to charge is the problem

When a device won’t charge, instinctively the first thing that comes to mind is to blame the charger, however, your device could also be the cause of the problem. Here are some of the possible causes why your device could be the problem:

• A dirty charging port. If your device’s charging port has dirt built up on it, this could greatly affect charging efficiency and in the worst case, it could prevent charging altogether. For that, it is recommended that you clean the USB port with some regularity.
• Outdated software. Make sure you are up to date with software updates. Outdated software can generate errors that prevent the charging process. Check if you have pending updates and install them.
• There are some devices that have a function to stop the charging process when it detects moisture. If your device is one of these and it has recently been in contact with high humidity, you should let the phone dry for a few hours.

problematic battery

It may also be the case that the battery has died completely. Batteries, like USB cables, are elements that tend to be damaged quite frequently and although there are some tricks that you can follow to extend the useful life of your battery, they will inevitably wear out over time.

A damaged battery is something you have to consider, especially if it is a device that you have been using for quite some time. A sign that can help you detect if the problem is indeed the battery, is the fact that you noticed that the device was beginning to discharge faster than normal.

Do you want your USB cables not to be damaged so often?

Although it is true that in the end it is inevitable that your USB cable will end up damaged, there are several tricks to extend its useful life. Here are some tips you can follow to take care of your USB cables.

The homemade trick of the spring

The most vulnerable area of USB cables are, in general, the ends of it. This is so because the ends of the cable tend to be frequently bent and stretched. Therefore, they are areas that you will want to reinforce to prevent them from being damaged.

The way in which you can reinforce these ends is with the help of the spring of a pen that you have at home. All you have to do is wrap the spring around the ends of the wire, this will help keep the wire straight.

reinforced cable

If for some reason the previous solution does not convince you, you have the option of buying a cable that is already reinforced. These are cables that already come with some sort of wrap around them that prevents them from getting damaged. Therefore, they are more difficult to break, and in addition, they also turn out to be much more aesthetic.

Wrap the cable correctly

Most people are unaware of how important it is to properly coil a USB cable. If you always wind your cable wrong, it will inevitably end up breaking.

What many people tend to do is fold it and tie it with the intention of reducing its size so that it is easier to store it. In fact, the tighter the better. However, this is not recommended, since its components can be affected by the pressure they are subjected to when they are clamped and bent in this way. Instead, try to save them by making sure they are not pressed.

While you can coil your USB cable for storage, try to do so by avoiding too sharp bends. Basically, you have to make sure that there is no tension along it.

The position of the cable while you use it

When you are going to use the charger, make sure that the cable is straight. Do not place it in a walkway where someone can walk and hit it. But, above all, try as much as possible not to use the device while it is charging, since when using it you will be constantly moving and bending the cable, especially if it is a phone.

Now, in case you failed to salvage your USB cable, you will have no alternative but to buy a new one. For that, I leave you this article where you will find the best USB-C cables for Android phones.

The post So you can repair your damaged USB cable: all possible methods first appeared on CuteRank.