Mini+ Broken USB Port  

RE:

Hello -

Outside of repairing the port, you still have the option to print over the USB COM port (micro USB), fully controlling the machine through Pronterface. This would completely bypass the machine controls.

As a matter of fact I am puzzled as to why this is not more clearly advertised since this allows printing without any reliance on constantly plugging/unplugging a USB thumbdrive - and doesn't require the beta firmaware or the Wifi module. And the probing sequence still executes before the print as normal.

RE: Mini+ Broken USB Port

Thank you.  And yes, I have never had of Pronterface and always wondered why you simply could not printer direct or over wifi.  I will give it a go.

RE: Mini+ Broken USB Port

Same problem, today I installing WiFi to my mini and when I insert USB back, flash was not detected. When I looked to USB port, was broken 🙁 I cant find plastic part, that is standard in USB ports (white, blue, ...). Trying to solving pins possitions, but it seems, that I must buy other connector and resolder it.

RE: Mini+ Broken USB Port

I am not the type to de-solder things from a circuit board so I replaced the entire board.  Since I can now print over my LAN the USB port is not really needed.

RE: Mini+ Broken USB Port

do you need the serial port for firmware upgrading? 
I doubt you can do that over Wifi?

RE: Mini+ Broken USB Port

If it was question to me, I now cant configure WiFi, because of USB port problem (cant save and edit config file). And, if I know, I cant printing over LAN and WiFi too, now it is only for update firmaware (still must be present USB drive) and monitoring. Only way, that I know, is connect printer to PC and use Pronterpage, or somethng like Octoprint and so. Or have I wrong informations?

Thanks.

RE:

Same happened to me. I print with octoprint, so I can still print. But to update the firmware, once since it broke, I was just extremely lucky to somehow get a usb stick to work in the broken port.

Any news on how to repair this? Except changing the motherboard of course...

RE:

Extract the board from the printer, unsolder the damaged port and solder a new one - the best to do it is with hot station because it blows hot air in larger area, can be done with the normal soldering iron but may be a bit more difficult.

If you cannot do it then it should be doable by almost any repair shop which deals with electronic repairs such as telephones or radio repairs etc.

If they cannot find exactly that USB port, then just ask them to use normal cable (let say 20cm) and to solder inner cables to the board, it won't be beautiful but will work.