Lenovo USB-C Warranty replacement chances?

[mikes]

I have a laptop under warranty that no longer charges via the USB-C port - unfortunately this is the state of the charging port

 

Last time I returned a Chromebook with a battery fault they wanted a photo of the USB-C port (that chromebooks port looked fine however)

 

Before I go to the hassle of sending it off and potentially being billed for shipping - anyone know my chances of them accepting this as a warranty job?

 

 

[dmj]

This looks like user damage.

On the plus side, they are pretty easy to replace if you have the right equipment. Chances are there is a local electronics repair shop that will do it.

[3s-gtech]

I have had them replace motherboards in the past for non-charging, but none looked that bad. They seem to have got stricter since I last sent one though.

[MatthewL]

Do you not have Lenovo support where an engineer will attend site and swap parts?

[Omega_NL]

If you have multiple versions of that laptop take a photo of a laptop with the USB C port that's in the best condition, then either get an engineer to come out and fix it or send it off with another laptops back cover without the surface scratches near the port.

[mikes]

yeah I only have the warranty where you send it off (a courier picks it up and repairs it, then sends it back). But I wasn't sure if they were getting stricter - normally they give me the page of diagnostics (try reset pin if you have one etc, bitlocker warning) then they pick it up.

But I hadn't sent any back for a while then last week went to send back a Chromebook - 1st one I'd ever sent back - this time they asked for a photo of the USB-C charging port. Not sure if it was a Chromebook specific thing or if they are getting stricter in general on user damage.

 

I didn't think about swapping the back cover - I'll look into it but unfortunately I think the S/N is on the back cover so they might notice if that's where they check the S/N and not the BIOS. However I have had laptops with the S/N sticker has peeled off (not sent any of them back though) so I might just peel it off and they can always check the correct S/N in the BIOS. Worth a punt I suppose! It does look user damage but I've had many of these USB-C failures so still think it is a design flaw, the member of staff who did it has been here longer than I have (20+ years) and never had any problems prior USB-C

[PotNoodleTech]

If the chromebook looks like it's been thrown down a flight of steps then chances of you having a successfull warranty claim on a dodgy port are very low, and be careful as sometimes they'll charge you just for looking at it if it's purposeful/obvious user damage.

[Fazza]

We replace those ports ourselves using a hot air rework station. Most local computer repair shops that do motherboard repairs will be able to replace that port for you.

[PotNoodleTech]

We replace those ports ourselves using a hot air rework station. Most local computer repair shops that do motherboard repairs will be able to replace that port for you.

 

Ooh how much does one of those run to (bare in mind we had to plead to get a soldering iron from amazon..)

[Fazza]

Ooh how much does one of those run to (bare in mind we had to plead to get a soldering iron from amazon..)

 

I got mine from CPC as it's the one I also have at home!

 

https://cpc.farnell.com/atten/at8586/desoldering-station-2-in-1/dp/SD02204?mckv=sshopping_dc|pcrid|605262956863|kword||match||plid||slid||product|SD02204|pgrid|138313689055|ptaid|pla-1890077691005|&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING-9262013734-138313689055-SD02204&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!605262956863!!!network}!1890077691005!&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAzvC9BhADEiwAEhtlN6LZV7HV4fyIljju6OKSiKGBvFWNeKJyRyvmxqPpcwGfxtBW4njVphoCHvcQAvD_BwE

 

Lots of videos on YouTube showing how to use it (Sorin is my personal favourite). If you get one, then get lots of practice boards from damaged Spares and Repairs laptops you have and practive removing random ports and make a not of the temperature you did it at.

 

I would also recommend some Kapton Tape and a PCB holder:

 

https://cpc.farnell.com/pro-power/ppc220/tape-polyimide-brown-25mmx33m/dp/CB21778

 

https://cpc.farnell.com/velleman/vthh6/circuit-board-holder/dp/PC01839?mckv=sshopping_dc|pcrid|224692157647|kword||match||plid||slid||product|PC01839|pgrid|47391249736|ptaid|pla-819046969395|&CMP=KNC-GUK-CPC-SHOPPING-945765023-47391249736-PC01839&s_kwcid=AL!5616!3!224692157647!!!network}!819046969395!&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAzvC9BhADEiwAEhtlN3afTlViUVBMaulEC6IqSAS_qmzI3pC3s1NgytD5du5WVW561bXWuBoCZOwQAvD_BwE

 

 

Get a quote from a local repair shop to replace a port and then use that as a justification on how much money you could save etc.