The USB header on the motherboard is damaged.
The USB header on the motherboard is damaged.
Hi, I recently cleaned my PC and unplugged all the cables. When I removed the USB header, one of the pins broke. I thought it was missing by default, but it actually came out. It ended up on the floor and got lost because it was too small. Now my USB in front of the PC case isn’t working. Do you think there’s any chance to fix this? I’m considering taking it to a repair shop, but I also wanted to know if there’s any solution.
You might locate a USB 3.0 connector and install it on ooooooooorrrr. You could purchase a USB expansion card for your PCI-E port and swap it in, and it should work if the USB cable is sufficiently long to connect the card.
You're right, this problem needs a completely new motherboard. Only the manufacturer can handle board-level fixes. When did you purchase the motherboard?
I support @TylerDurden's idea. Locate a replacement USB 3.0 IDC header from Molex or TE, and bring your board to a qualified electrician or skilled welder. They can safely remove the old component, and swapping in the new one is straightforward.
The two pins at one end serve as Vbus connections, supplying power to the USB connector. The USB header accommodates two separate USB ports, with each port using its own connection line. You could easily modify or replace them—either by soldering a new pin or swapping the header entirely. It’s a standard 2x10 pin 0.1" header, not requiring special features. Doing this would incur costs. If the Vbus pin is faulty, a simple workaround involves using a short piece of solid-core wire, stripping the insulation, twisting a few times around the existing pin, and reshaping it to match the damaged one. Alternatively, you could use a longer segment, inserting it into the connector before placing the connector in the header.
I attempted it, but after connecting it in this way it still doesn't function.
For compatible headers, simply remove or trim the pin that isn't typically used in BHR-20-VUA Adam Tech | Connectors, Interconnects | DigiKey 302-S201. This applies to Interconnects and CNC Tech from DigiKey 3020-20-0100-00 and DigiKey 61202021621 Würth Elektronik.
If ASUS doesn't fix the motherboard, then repairing it or hiring someone seems unwise. The easiest solution right now is using a PCIE USB 3.1 card to replace the header. If you have extra USB 3 or 3.1 ports on your board, you might connect an adapter cable with a header and use it in your case, though it would look somewhat awkward.