HomeLately I’ve been seeing exactly the same problem with the power socket in some newer Toshiba Satellite L305/L305D and Satellite L355/L355D laptops. I don’t know if it’s a poor design or people just not careful enough with their laptops, but the power socket in these models breaks very often.
On the picture below you can see a good working power socket. The power jack is seated correctly. It’s tight and will not move when you plug in the adapter.
On the next picture you see a broken socket. There is a gap between the power jack and laptop base and when you plug the AC adapter inside the jack it feels very loose. In some cases, the power jack disconnects from the laptop base and you cannot plug in the power adapter at all.
In order to understand what’s going on it’s necessary to remove the top cover and take a closer look at the power jack.
As you see on the picture below, the power jack is not seated correctly and separated from the laptop base.
In some cases it happens because the DC-IN power jack gets broken.
In other cases, the DC-IN power jack is OK but the laptop base is broken. The power jack mounts between two plastic brackets inside the case. If one of the brackets is broken (the left one in my case), the DC-IN power jack will not seat correctly.
But in many cases you have both parts broken, the power jack and base assembly.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO FIX THE POWER SOCKET?
1. If the power jack is OK but the base is broken, you’ll have to replace the base assembly, which means you’ll have to disassemble the whole laptop.
2. If the base assembly is OK, but the DC-IN jack is broken, you’ll have to replace the DC-IN power harness.
3. In the worst case scenario you’ll have to replace both parts, the base assembly AND power jack harness.
UPDATE!
I just published a guide explaining how to repair broken power connector yourself.
March 18th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I had exactly the same problem with my Satellite L305 laptop. I didn’t think that this will be covered by the warranty but I took it to the Toshiba repair center. They fixed it at no charge!
March 19th, 2009 at 9:04 am
I also have a broken socket in my laptop, it’s a Satellite L355. Is it a common problem with this model?
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I have the same problem. It doesn’t charge at all anymore. I was careless in the beginning. I had an incident that loosened the socket…then it wore out with the times I’ve charged it. Hopefully I’m as fortunate as Tim.
April 4th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Matthew,
Believe me, you are not alone. I’ve seen many different L305/L355 laptops with exactly the same problem.
April 8th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
So i have a versa premium, trying to google what part (power socket) i need but cant find anywhere…ideas?
April 9th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
I have a Satellite L305, which is only a few months old. My base assembly & AC jack were cracked; Toshiba Repair Center said these items are NOT covered under warranty, because the problems are considered “customer neglect”. These are expensive repairs for a “budget” computer:(
April 9th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Tracy,
I think it’s just not a really good design and cheap plastic make it even worse.
Call a different service center.
April 9th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
When I have time, I’ll make a guide for fixing this problem using a generic power jack.
Basically, you buy a metal jack in RadioShack, mount it inside the case, cut off the old jack and solder wires to the RadioShack jack.
April 19th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
The same thing happened to my Toshiba satellite, it was a little loose to begin with, but then got worse and couldn’t charge.. they said it was “physical damage” (i.e. it was me who did it) and charged me $250 to repair it- I had to buy a whole new bottom casing and pay for the technician time. What a huge ripoff for something I probably could have fixed myself.
April 19th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Gwynn,
Be careful with the jack, the same problem may occur again. I’ve seen a few laptops coming back with a broken jack and base assembly a few month after I repaired them.
April 20th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Ok, I cannot actually endorse my solution, as I did it today, and am not sure how it will work.
First, open your case up as per instructions above.
Second, use the best epoxy you can get to reattach the front of the jack to the side of the laptop. Though, it should be something you can remove if ever absolutely necessary.
Third, if you look at the top panel, you will see that a speaker is right behind the jack. On the side against the jack, epoxy some sort of cushion (I used cardboard), in order to add support for the jack.
Lastly, put everything back together again.
Not the best way to fix it, but since I can’t be without my computer for a day, and I don’t have 235.00 it will do until I return from the field.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am
Thadd,
I’m not sure if this repair will last for a long time. I would think that replacing the original DC-IN jack with a generic one from RadioShack would be a better solution.
April 22nd, 2009 at 10:59 pm
[...] Today I explain how to repair a damaged power connector also known as power jack in Toshiba Satellite L305 and L355 laptops. I started covering this problem in one of the previous posts. [...]
June 14th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Thanks very much for publishing the how to, plus the pictures. The jack was jiggly on my wife’s Toshiba L305 laptop. There were a few differences between your instructions and the L305, but they were minimal and I was able to follow your sequence because you laid it out clearly. The Rado Shack part was $3.00 and I was able to accomplish it in approx 3 hours. A lot of the time was spent getting the various tools in the garage. The issue was to get a small enough plilips head screwdriver. The end result was that I was able to accomplish this task and get my wife back up and running in much less time than packing up the computer and waiting for a couple of weeks – and also having the possibility of having the repair rejected or costing me $200 to get it fixed. This is just fabulous and I want to say THANK YOU for putting this on the web.
Your repair is better than the original design. THANKS!!
July 9th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
The dc-in port on my Satellite L355 has just broken again, for the THIRD time. The first two times this happened it was still under warranty and was repaired at no charge. I was told this is a rampant problem with this model, and given advice on how to carefully insert and remove the power connection – which I followed knowing the laptop was going to be out of warranty. Any word on a recall from Toshiba? This is my third Toshiba Satellite model over the years (15 years), and I am very disappointed in the apparent design flaw.
In the meantime, thanks for the suggestions on home repair.
July 9th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
tracy h,
I repair a LOT of these laptops with the power jack problem. Sometimes a few of them a day.
September 2nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
My toshiba L305D did not quite make a year bought last December. Power jack
was always a loose from the beginning and now no power at all. I didn’t get
the warranty but looks like the don’t cover the problems they know we will
have anyway. Obviously there was a problem with my power jack was there
from the start I was aware the should be snug. So no power at all. Disappointed!
September 5th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
same problem but i went a diffrent route and got a whole new cable and [luged in the power in the new jack and it still wont charge any idea what the problem might be now?
September 24th, 2009 at 10:17 am
This is a known issue with Toshiba L300 series of laptops and will be repaired at no cost by Toshiba service center, even if your warranty expired, so if you your laptop has this issue contact any service center – I took it to CSS – cssnow.com in New York, they did great job fixing it and it still works.
September 24th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Mark,
Yes it is. I fix it almost every day, sometimes a few laptops a day.
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:38 pm
We replaced the power jack with the one shown on your page but now the charger dont seem to fit the jack..do we need to get a new power plug and what size would that be
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:35 pm
julie,
Apparently you got a wrong one. Did you use Toshiba jack or generic one from RadioShack as I explained in this guide?
December 17th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
is there a recall on Toshiba l300 i just had it 12 months and the screen is loose and hinge is about broke is there a recall
December 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
justin,
I haven’t heard of any recalls.
December 25th, 2009 at 5:15 am
I have problem with my laptop. My laptop is toshiba A205. When the laptop off and the battery charges with the AC adapter plug in the laptop. But when the laptop on and I try charge the battery with the charger plug to laptop, and what happen ? My battery can’t charge and suddenly my system of laptop hang / error ( I can’t move my touch mouse and type the key). Please help Me ?
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:41 am
I have a L355 that won’t power on but the power jack doesn’t appear to be pushed in as in your repair guide nor does it seem loose. I have checked the DC output and its good (19v). Could it still be the power jack?
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:01 pm
I am so glad to hear that others have the same problem. My laptop wasn’t even one year old yet when my jack feel into my computer. I, too, like many above, was told it wasn’ covered under the warranty because it was “customer abuse”. How absurd! The only thing I ever did was plug the power cord in and then take the power cord out. I am very careful with my laptop because I use it for work (I am a teacher). I fought for coverage and did get it fixed at Toshiba’s expense. I was told, however, by the service center that I was lucky that they paid to have it fixed and not to count on it again. I suspected that it had to be a common problem because of how quick Toshiba wanted to distance themselves and blame the customer. If you can’t plug in your power cord without the jack breaking, then there is a serious design flaw. I’ve been through design flaws with lemon products years ago with Chrsyler. I will never buy another Toshiba (this one was given to me as a b-day gift), not because the product is sub-quality, but mainly because of Toshiba’s refusal to stand behind their products. My son has a cheaper and smaller Toshiba laptop and has never had a problem with anything including the power cord. He’s a college student so I’m sure he isn’t as particular about his laptop as I am about mine. I am convinced it is a problem with this model. Has anyone else had the outside cover on the power cord split open near the battery? That’s my latest defect.
February 10th, 2010 at 6:03 pm
Unfortunately my Toshiba Laptop Satellite L305D-S5881 had the same problem experience by many of you, in most cases, just after the warranty is expired. I truly believe that this is a manufacturer’s design problem Just like Toyota, Honda and many other manufacturers who are recalling their products because of manufacturing defects, Toshiba should take responsibility to address changes to the design of these Laptops with specific reference to the power port, and should be held accountable to refund customers who had to pay for repairs cost out of pocket I feel the urge for all of us to band together to forward a complaint to a consumer affairs agency to get representation to ensure Toshiba change the way they do, or don’t do business.
In the meantime, I had mine repaired, a job well done, by Technicians at:
NEW PCS Inc. Brooklyn NY
February 11th, 2010 at 8:58 am
I have a two A215-S7428′s and also have this problem with both of them and have been reading about this problem for at least 1 year ever since my problem started !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree with you Joseph : ( We should alllllllllllllll send a nasty gram to Toshiba about this obvious manufacture’s FLAW ( defect, brain dead design,etc………..) ! How stupid do they think we are ! I personally have not only sent my personal objection to this mind boggleing issue to Toshiba for not fixing the problem a long time ago, but I have also sent it to BBB ( better business bureau ) for not covering it under their warranty !!!!!!!!!!!!! (SOUNDS LIKE ANOTHER JAPANESE COMPANY DOESN’T IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! )
February 15th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
My toshiba freeze when i plug in AC but works normal in save mode any help? Thanks
February 23rd, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Okay, Can anyone tell me how to get the top cover off and what the name of the special tool I need for the one funky screw on the bottom is? (we’re having the same problem but can’t even get the case open).
Thanks!
April 27th, 2010 at 6:16 am
just get someplastice epoxy and glue it in place. This way you do not have to take out the motherboard. This is common problem in a lot of Toshiia Laptops
April 28th, 2010 at 6:51 am
I am currently repairing two Toshiba L300 s with the same power socket problems. On one, the plastic support on the base has snapped off allowing the socket to come lose. I should really replace the base but the customer doesn’t want to pay, especially as I explained that I could not guarantee it would not happen again. I have glued it back in using Araldite Epoxy and told the customer to be gentle with it. On the second, the sides of the socket have snapped off allowing it to slip out of its supports. I have ordered a replacement Power Socket / Jack from ebay.co.uk for £6.99.
I think it is a great idea that that manufacturers have started to put the power sockets on a seperate ‘plug-in’ mini harness due to the fact that the the older style power sockets that were soldered to the motherboard were always breaking and very fiddly to replace. However, it is a shame that Toshiba has not designed these very well and have not provided adequate support / strength. Their is a stong metal plate for the kensington cable lock socket only millimeters away from the power socket. this could easily have been extended to provide a very strong support for the power socket which then would not break.
July 12th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
I have the same problem as Texxs…I cannot for the life of me see how the heck you can get the top panel off. There is just no easy to separate it as far as I can tell. Even with something thinner than a guitar pick. Help before I throw this f****** through a wall.
July 12th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Todd,
Make sure all screws are removed.
Now take a knife and insert the blade between the top cover and base somewhere on the side of the laptop. Lift up the top cover. When the gap is wide enough, continue removing with your fingers.
Again, make sure all screws are removed from both sides.
July 19th, 2010 at 6:14 am
my machine is going on and off, can anyone help me.
July 22nd, 2010 at 10:10 am
nat,
Check memory modules. Try removing memory one by one. Test laptop with each memory modules separately.
July 28th, 2010 at 3:53 am
I have this computer, and 3 mo after I bought it the DC adapter inside the computer broke off as you are showing here. When I took it to Best Buy where I bought it, there was another woman there who had the same exact computer with the same problem. I ended up sending it back to Toshiba and they supposedly fixed it. I have now had it 1.5 years and it became lose. I called Toshiba and complained because I hardly even use the computer and they fixed it again and said it would be the last time!
I think they made a faulty dc adapter. I think that the computer should have been recalled and I am NOT happy about the issue since I spent 700.00 on the laptop only a year and a half ago.
I will NEVER buy another Toshiba computer again.
October 15th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Hey guys,
Just spent about an hour figuring out how to get the laptop apart safely, its rather easy. Like the other guys said:
* make sure you get every single screw you see on the bottom of the laptop off first, even the bay for the hard drive (take the hard drive out as well), and the bay to the ram, which there is one or two screws to remove there.
*on the top, with the screen open, just above the Function keys you see the smooth glossy plastic piece about 11.5″ wide and 3/8″ thick, pry it off carefully with a flathead screwdriver, start at the sides to avoid breaking the piece down the middle.
*there are 2 screws to remove under that thing plastic piece
*you can then wiggle the keyboard free and carefully lift it out, it obviously has a short ribbon connected to the MB
*release the ribbon by pressing both black tabs on the ribbon connection to the motherboard downward
*remove all the screws you find under the keyboard and gently pry the rest of the top panel off.
*again, make sure ALL screws are removed before pulling top panel off.
Hope that is accurate of what i did earlier..
October 17th, 2010 at 11:15 am
Brian,
Thanks for the description but I posted a link to the disassembly guides in this post. Here it is again: http://www.irisvista.com/tech/
Just find your model and follow the instructions. I guess you missed the link?
February 25th, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Hi there,
I also faced with the same problem. My laptop can power-on with battery support but will not when the adaptor is plug in. If the adaptor is inserted and power is switch on, my laptop will either gets hanged or it will poweroff.
Any idea what rectification can I take to solve this?
Thanks.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:14 am
zack,
There are three components in the chain: AC adapter, DC jack harness, motherboard.
1. Test your laptop with another adapter. Your adapter could be defective.
2. Examine the DC jack harness.
3. If the AC adapter and jack is good, this is motherboard related failure.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
I got blamed for not being able to charge mine as well. I think mine was just 6 months old. I bought a new cord and it worked again. Just tonight my screen popped off on the left side where that funky screw is. If I take that to Best Buy where I bought it can they fixed that or should I even bother. My computer is 3 years old, but runs great otherwise. How much do you think they would charge for something like that to fix? Thanks for your help. Very interesting to read.
February 26th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Whoops I meant right side in my post I just posted..where the hinge is and one screw. The metal part popped out and the screw popped out. I can’t bend my monitor to close it now.
February 27th, 2011 at 8:24 am
Cassie,
I doubt that BestBuy fixes hardware problems like that. They can replace a failed hard drive, RAM, but I don’t think they repair the hinge.
Is it physically broken? Or just loose?
You can try fixing it yourself. Take a look at these guides: http://www.irisvista.com/tech/
If you cannot fix it yourself, you should take it to a local laptop repair shop.
May 28th, 2011 at 12:46 am
Good day…
I just want to inquire where I can buy the spare parts of my Laptop..The problem is the dc in power jack is broken.I want to replace but I don’t know where I can buy this spare parts of my laptop..
Pls help me…and don’t hesitate to inform me..
Thank you..
October 31st, 2011 at 8:44 am
I am a laptop repair specialist working on major brand lap tops such as dell, apple, Mac, Compaq, acer, etc. I can repair or fix just about any laptop that resides on the market today. I am also a php programmer programming dating web sites trading web sites. PHP Mysql PHP Myadmin.
The Toshiba lap top satellite L355D-S7825 AMD 64 unit is a defect it was shipped with a 17 screen AMD turion processor with 3gigs of memory 667 MHz bus speed/ 250 gig hard drive. from my technical standards I have replaced three system boards in this unit the first one lasted from factory about 12 months. I asked for repair Toshiba said it was going to be fixed I ended up paying for it $350.00 at the time lap tops were 600.00 at the cheapest. I then had to replace a second system board really making it the third being shipped with the unit. After replacing the board twice and it dieing again I gave up on the unit with a total waste of $1500.00 I personally recommend apple lap tops none other is visable in my point of view. I also repair apple computers as well and have never received a repair for any of them. You get what you pay for.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:13 pm
To heck with replacing a broken base assembly or DC-IN jack. I know nothing about fixing laptops; I just removed all the screws, opened it up and Super-Glued the broken jack and base together in the correct position and it has been working fine for months. By the way, shortly after that my AC Adapter quit working. Toshiba and the stores in my area wanted $60.00-$100.00 for a replacement. So I browsed thru E-Bay and found many similar adapters for much, MUCH cheaper. Believe it or not, I paid $1.95 + $7.95 s&h for a brand new, off-brand adapter that has been supplying my laptop with power for a year now! And we use it a lot every day. I am still stunned. Can’t remember the name of the company but they had plenty more of them.