The optical cable housing is damaged.
The optical cable housing is damaged.
You need to repair the casing carefully so your optical cable stays secure.
Could you reinforce those two sections and insert them into the port? Alternatively, you could simply insert the cable and devise a method to secure it.
It seems unlikely the issue can be resolved easily. You might attempt repositioning it near the cable end to check for a secure fit, but the housing likely prevents it from staying in place. A better option would be switching to analog connectors or using a sound card or USB DAC if you need to keep the optical setup.
Consider reattaching it with glue or a strong adhesive. Sticky tack is another option. It’s okay to experiment—it’s already damaged.
The issue is that superglue releases fumes containing microscopic particles, and optical devices don’t really understand such matters.
Consider securing the cable directly, provided you can observe the red indicator at the opposite end—it should function well. Should those methods fail, USB optical dongles offer a budget-friendly alternative.
I hadn’t considered that before. I purchased a very long SPDIF cable and covered it up; it could be useful. Since the SPDIF USB connectors aren’t costly, it’s easier than removing the motherboard. This seems like the best solution I’ve found so far. Edited June 8, 2023 by Bombastinator