Problem with charging port or AC adapter on Spin 3 SP314-54N model

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Garrett22
Garrett22 Member Posts: 3 New User
edited October 2022 in Swift and Spin Series
I am having a problem with charging my Acer Spin 3. It is either the charging port or the AC adapter plug that is the issue. When I plug in the adapter the connection is very loose and it will not charge (Note, I have NOT dropped it or banged it at all). To get it to charge I have to bend the adapter outward in a precise way, as seen in the photo. I cannot tell if the problem is the port or the adapter plug. It seems like the bending is putting pressure on the port to move into the proper position to charge, making me think it is likely the port that is the problem. Can't say for sure though. Any thoughts, ideas on what the problem is? Has anyone else had a problem like this with the charging port and adapter on a Spin 3? If so, how did you fix it?





Answers

  • wascas
    wascas Member Posts: 1,209 Overclocked Contributor WiFi Icon
    edited July 2022
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    If you have a voltmeter, disconnect the adapter plug from the laptop and measure whether the voltage at the plug changes when you wiggle the cable back and forth. If yes, there is a loose contact in the plug, if no, the port could be broken.

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 31,722 Trailblazer
    edited July 2022
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    First, let's get the model number of your Spin 3, since there have been so many different ones over the years. It's likely something like SP3xx-xxx-xxxx and the number is probably on the same sticker as your SN and SNID. Are you still using the stock charger? The dimensions of that barrel plug are 1.1mm inside hole, 3.0mm outside barrel and 7.7mm length. That means the center electrode in the socket is only 1.0mm in diameter, which makes it pretty easy to bend. Some models allow you to replace that socket, some have the socket soldered to the MB.
    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • Chila
    Chila Member Posts: 1 New User
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    Yes! I have the exact issue since the day I got this laptop...Now I think it must be a defect with the port. They need to look into this and fix/replace.

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 31,722 Trailblazer
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    @Chila as with the original post, we don't know what laptop you have, so can't give any suggestions. Please start a new thread for your issue, include the full model number (something like SP3xx-xxx-xxxx), what you are experiencing and what you have tried so far.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • Garrett22
    Garrett22 Member Posts: 3 New User
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    @billsey My laptop as an Acer Spin 3 Series. Systme Model is Spin SP314-54N. As nited above I am having a problem with the device charger. It is either the charging port or the AC adapter plug that is the issue. When I plug in the adapter the connection is very loose and it will not charge (Note, I have NOT dropped it or banged it at all). To get it to charge I have to bend the adapter outward in a precise way, as seen in the photo. I cannot tell if the problem is the port or the adapter plug. It seems like the bending is putting pressure on the port to move into the proper position to charge, making me think it is likely the port that is the problem. Can't say for sure though. Any thoughts, ideas on what the problem is? Has anyone else had a problem like this with the charging port and adapter on a Spin 3? If so, how did you fix it?

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 31,722 Trailblazer
    edited October 2022
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    OK, on the SP314-54N models the DC-In jack is soldered directly to the motherboard, so if it's a physical problem with the jack fixing it won't be simple. Use a flashlight to examine the inside of the jack. The center electrode should be straight and you should be able to see a piece of metal coming in from the side deeper in. You will also feel a little bit of 'click' when it's fully seated, as the top slides past that metal. When you put the plug into the socket the center electrode fits into the center hole and the piece of metal pushes the plug to the side slightly to put pressure on the side of that electrode. It uses a 3mm plug with a 1.1mm center hole, the electrode itself is something like 1.0mm in diameter. A fair amount of the third party supplies use a 1.35mm center hole, and they can give a loose fit like you describe, but the stock Acer charger should not. If everything looks OK in the jack and the plug itself looks good then something is bad without looking bad. Since the whole thing is so thin, part of the design needs of a thin and light laptop, there is some slop feeling when things are plugged in correctly, but it should still give you a good charge circuit even with the play.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • ACL2022
    ACL2022 Member Posts: 1 New User
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    I have the same Acer Spin 3 model SP314-54N and have the exact same issue. The laptop will not charge unless I bend the adapter. Has anyone found a resolution for this issue?

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 31,722 Trailblazer
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    The DC-In connector on a SP314-54N is soldered to the motherboard. Are you using the stock power supply or a third party replacement? The stock one has a 1.1mm hole, a lot of the third party versions have a1.35mm hole. The slightly larger hole means they don't get as solid of contact with the center electrode. You can also use a light to inpect your jack, the center electrod should be straight and down near the bottom of the hole there should be a bit of spring steel pressing out. That pushes the center hole against the electrode, while giving a good ground connection on the outside.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.
  • StuartD
    StuartD Member Posts: 3 New User
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    My very expensive Spin 3 suffered a failure in the power supply department and was returned to the supplier for repair. Although I suspected the plug and socket which is USB C, it turned out it needed parts and was returned 3 months later repaired. Its now exhibiting the same symptoms I.e. not charging. Charging led won't light. SP314-54N. The supplier says they can't get parts and it's out of warranty. Their repair was only garanteed for six months so I am now looking for a UK repairer. Not averse to changing the psu board myself if I can get one - does anyone have a supply of these?

  • StuartD
    StuartD Member Posts: 3 New User
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    And after resetting the battery in accordance with the documentation- it is now charging.


    Phew. :)

  • StuartD
    StuartD Member Posts: 3 New User
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    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1172473#Comment_1172473

    And 24hrs later, its not. charging led flashes five times. goes black - no charging. even after repeating the battery reset.

  • Abbashabibi
    Abbashabibi Member Posts: 10

    Tinkerer
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    It is related to this model. Many people experienced exactly the same issueand ACER didn't respond appropriately.

  • mattguest72
    mattguest72 Member Posts: 1 New User
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    Had this happen twice. Amazon seller replaced under warrantee first time and then replacement failed a few months later, conveniently just beyond the warrantee period. In researching online to find a possible solution, it is very obvious that this is a common problem and ACER is not providing any support. Horrible product by an irresponsible company. Will not be buying anymore ACER products.

  • Puraw
    Puraw ACE, Member Posts: 8,248 Trailblazer
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    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1154805#Comment_1154805

    I recommend bringing the laptop and power adapter to Acer Services in your country. After 3 years you may need to replace the power adapter but the DC port needs checking too.

  • StevenGen
    StevenGen ACE Posts: 9,942 Trailblazer
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    https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/668938/problem-with-charging-port-or-ac-adapter-on-spin-3-sp314-54n-model

    The SP314-54N has a round barrel adapter plug and the laptop side DC_IN port negative pins have been flattened and they are not making contact with the adapter negative barrel plug pins, get a sturdy plastic object and try to spread those pins outward so that the pins make contact with the barrel adapte plug, see caption below. If that dosent work then you need to change the laptops DC-IN port which requeries a technician to do, don't attempt to do this yourself as you nee specialist micro soldering tools to do an 100% job. Good luck and hope this helps you out.

    Typical round DC_IN laptop side port

    image.png

    If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

  • kathydthree
    kathydthree Member Posts: 1 New User
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    I have an Acer Spin 5 and when it was plugged in, it still wouldn't charge. I had the problem about a year ago and took it to a service center. Not sure what they did, but it started doing the same thing again. I researched and found a couple answers from users back in 2020. The recommendations were: There is a pin hole on the underside of the laptop. Stick a pin, or what ever fits and depress and hold for 30 seconds. There was also some info about pressing some keys after restart, but there was also a recommendation to make sure the 2 screws on the bottom of the laptop in the middle were tight because that's where the contact was made. I tightened the screws and depressed the battery reset in the pinhole for 30 seconds. Turned it back on and seems to be working fine now. Not sure which or if both actions did the trick, but it worked, so I'm good.

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