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.
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!
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 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 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 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 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?
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 ?
December 21st, 2009 at 2:53 pm
justin,
I haven’t heard of any recalls.
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
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?