Aspire3-Power port loose,gets disconnect often,the power cable just doesn't seem to plug in properly

CosmicDust · September 2018

So, the power cable just doesn't seem to plug in as snugly as it used to and has started disconnecting/reconnecting/disconnecting from the slightest movement more and more often, now to the point where it's driving me nuts. Is there any easy way to make it tighter again? Also, I thought it was just sliding out, but I felt it just now and realized it does rock back and forth when fully plugged in.

[Edited the thread to add model name and issue detail to the title]

Jack22 · September 2018

I guess the problem is with the power cord than the port on the unit.
If you want to go the tape way then wrap a single layer of tape around the barrel of the plug that fits into the socket and try,if it is still loose add another layer until it is a tight fit. If you dont want to take an risk on it than i guess you can buy a new charger.

CosmicDust · September 2018

Jack22 said:

I guess the problem is with the power cord than the port on the unit.
If you want to go the tape way then wrap a single layer of tape around the barrel of the plug that fits into the socket and try,if it is still loose add another layer until it is a tight fit. If you dont want to take an risk on it than i guess you can buy a new charger.

What kind of tape? Wouldn't that interfere with the connection?

I don't remember being able to jiggle it while fully plugged in before, that's what makes me think it's the port. And I don't see any way the metal barrel could have gotten smaller.

Jack22 · September 2018

If you thinks its the problem with the port than you need to contact either Acer support to fix it .

CosmicDust · September 2018

Jack22 said:

If you thinks its the problem with the port than you need to contact either Acer support to fix it .

I was hoping there might be an easy fix like tightening a screw inside or something, but I looked into the port and it seems that two little tabs stick out and squeeze the pin to hold it in. Well, one of them is kind of stuck in; it doesn't stick out as far as the other. I assume that must be the problem.

Floris12345 · April 2019

Hi got the dame problem.. Used to wiggle the plug till it charges again but it is't working any more. Did y fix it? What was the solution? Can y share please! Thanks!!

BlueBait · April 2019

your charger or the port is broken call acer support you cant fix it by your self

or buy new charger

PCman999 · April 2023

This thread is pretty old (didn't notice when I started this comment, but it's hard to shut me up when I get started so……: Probably out of warranty, and if a few touches with a soldering iron would suffice, why go through the hassle of a return and waiting for it to get fixed.

To it seemed that the problem developed too fast to be from wear-n-tear - I think it was loose almost from the beginning, but my son has been putting up with it for a long while so it's hard to remember for sure.

CosmicDust · April 2023

I ended up taking it to a local shop and they replaced the charging port, which they said was really hard to get a old of. I'm not rough on this thing at all, and it's become loose once again now. It only lasted maybe a year or two before it got loose again and I've just been living with it since then. Even worse, on top of that it almost never gives me the low battery notification no matter how much I adjust the notification settings. It just dies randomly without warning. Could be 5% battery or it could be 25% left.

Puraw · April 2023

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1192080#Comment_1192080

Why not start a new thread rather than continuing a 5 year old one that no one will read (and may be closed anytime)? Soldering on a PC board is not recommended, leave repairs like that for trained technicians. Many of these DC barrel port problems arise from using the wrong tip (wrong power adapter) forcing a too thick tip into the port.

Gilles_ · August 19

By the way I agree with PCman99 : i have read its comments and it is interesting to have a 5 years story in the same thread. Unfortunatly I have the same story. The power plug on the ACER books are really too small and fragile : it is a conception problem. I never had any problem on other laptops with bigger plugs.

I will try to repair it by myself as the Acer care center is very expensive, with long delay and will probably reinstall the PC (while not necessary IMO).

WPPredator16 · October 15

SAME EXACT ISSUE. Brand new Predator gaming laptop. Power cord smug at first, now it falls out with only the slightest movement. Have filed a support ticket. Really hope they don't make me send it away for three weeks. I HAVE to have it for work!

aspire31532GBram · December 1

i know,old thread, dont care, i have same issue brand new aspire 3 15 32 gigs ram and now the plug is so loose its beeping over and over connected, disconnected, charging,please consider plugging in, then charging.. it sucks.

aspire31532GBram · December 3

seems all the acer laptops have an issue with the weak port for charging, they need to have a recall and everyone can take theirs in to replace the charging port with a better one free😞, doubt that will happen.

StevenGen · December 3

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/550566/aspire3-power-port-loose-gets-disconnect-often-the-power-cable-just-doesnt-seem-to-plug-in-properly

Can't give you a definite answer until you tell us what Aspire 3 laptop model you have? As some Aspires DC_In ports are soldered onto the mainboard, and if they are lose then their pins have come lose off the mainboard and need resoldering asap otherwise you can damage the mainboard traces and do serious damage, some other Aspire laptops have their DC_In port separate and they pug into a plug of the mainboard. Good luck

DC-In port soldered onto the mainboard