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Lightning cable USB connector stuck!

I plugged my lightning usb cable into my apple wired keyboard, and after a while tried to remove it.

It was stuck, no matter how I tried to (carefully) pull the cable and hold the keyboard.


After about 30mins trying, I shoved some thin cardboard in between the bottom of the usb connector and the slot in the keyboard, it helped to remove it.


On closer inspection after I had the cable out, I noticed that the indents in the bottom usb connector are deeper than many of the other usb (apple and non-apple) connectors that I have.


A warning to others out there!


User uploaded file

iPhone 5, iOS 6

Posted on Sep 20, 2012 8:44 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Sep 21, 2012 9:54 AM

Just experianced this with my cable too, in my laptop, the tip is too lift gently up and down to release, seems the socket gets locked into position. Really bad design. Looks like apple will be supplying these one after another. Not good.


People wont be happy!User uploaded file


Managed to get mine out DO NOT PULL ON THE CABLE up and down movements

171 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Sep 21, 2012 9:54 AM in response to nclose

Just experianced this with my cable too, in my laptop, the tip is too lift gently up and down to release, seems the socket gets locked into position. Really bad design. Looks like apple will be supplying these one after another. Not good.


People wont be happy!User uploaded file


Managed to get mine out DO NOT PULL ON THE CABLE up and down movements

Sep 26, 2012 10:31 AM in response to nclose

The deep notches are the source of my problems too. I purchased another Lightning cable and it has the same "deep notch" problem as the cable included with the iPhone 5. See photos:


OLD "dock cable" versus NEW "Lightning cable":

User uploaded file


http://www.flickr.com/photos/unten44/8027076173/in/set-72157631629336819/ (Creative Commons: Flickr user unten44 / Richard Unten)


Lightning cable included with my iPhone 5 (Note the depth of the notch):

User uploaded file


http://www.flickr.com/photos/unten44/8027072252/in/set-72157631629336819/ (Creative Commons: Flickr user unten44 / Richard Unten)


Lightning cable purchased separately (same problem):

User uploaded file


http://www.flickr.com/photos/unten44/8027160479/in/set-72157631629336819/ (Creative Commons: Flickr user unten44 / Richard Unten)

Sep 26, 2012 6:14 PM in response to nclose

I thought I was the only one with this issue. I first thought it was my PC. I then changed USB port and same thing. It would not come out of the port. If I squeeze the USB cable at it's entrance (the white part) , I can then slowly, with some resistance, pull it out of the port safely. I have read eleswhere on the forum other similar threads. Hopefully, Apple will address this soon with a replacement cable. User uploaded file

Sep 27, 2012 8:51 PM in response to nclose

I am having the same issues also. It got stuck to my USB port on my computer. It would not come out on its own until I forcefully had to remove it (Constant increasing pressure, not a yank). It ended up, as you see in this picture, that it took the metal clip (finger pointing at it) that held it in place in the port with it.


The port is still useable, it just is more loose now, but I am concerned what this may do to other equipment that I own where the clips that hold it are unable to be removed with it.


User uploaded file

Nov 8, 2012 7:19 PM in response to nclose

😠 Cable was almost causing a big FIRE!!! 😠

User uploaded file

I was charging my iPhone 5 and I saw flame-sparks with very heavy smell coming from the Lightning to USB Cable I bought from Apple. I was lucky to be right next to the charging place that I saw it. Otherwise it would be very dangerous and can be a big fire. It smelled so bad and heavy people from other offices came to my office to see what happened.

I contacted Apple support on 10/24/2012 but they did not replaced my cable yet. I have never seen a bad customer service like this and very disappointed. 😠

Nov 19, 2012 1:31 AM in response to nclose

User uploaded file


Scrivo dall'Italia e venerdi scorso mi è rimasto il cavo bloccato nella presa USB della mia auto FIAT 500.
Per toglierlo, oltre a dover staccare tutto il blocco dall'auto, ho dovuto forzarlo con un trincetto a lama fine(per fortuna senza danneggiare le parti).
Nell'Apple store dei Gigli (Capalle Firenze), pur portandogli il pezzo dell'auto attaccato al cavetto USB sono stato trattato a pesci in faccia.Senza la minima collaborazione da parte del manager Genius(che non riconosce in nessun modo il problema al cavetto USB/lightning Apple, ma facendo e dando la colpa al pezzo dell'auto FIAT).
Stamani ho spiegato il problema all'assistenza telefonica, comunicando anche gli altri casi evidenziati in questa community.Ho ottenuto la sostituzione del cavetto(spedito a casa).Speriamo che siano casi isolati, perchè se davvero i cavi USB del nuovo IPHONE5 sono stati fatti tutti fuori standard USB.....sarebbe davvero una barzelletta.
Saluti

Nov 19, 2012 1:42 AM in response to nclose

User uploaded file

User uploaded file

Scrivo dall'Italia e venerdi scorso mi è rimasto il cavo bloccato nella presa USB della mia auto FIAT 500.
Per toglierlo, oltre a dover staccare tutto il blocco dall'auto, ho dovuto forzarlo con un trincetto a lama fine(per fortuna senza danneggiare le parti).
Nell'Apple store dei Gigli (Capalle Firenze), pur portandogli il pezzo dell'auto attaccato al cavetto USB sono stato trattato a pesci in faccia.Senza la minima collaborazione da parte del manager Genius(che non riconosce in nessun modo il problema al cavetto USB/lightning Apple, ma facendo e dando la colpa al pezzo dell'auto FIAT).
Stamani ho spiegato il problema all'assistenza telefonica, comunicando anche gli altri casi evidenziati in questa community.Ho ottenuto la sostituzione del cavetto(spedito a casa).Speriamo che siano casi isolati, perchè se davvero i cavi USB del nuovo IPHONE5 sono stati fatti tutti fuori standard USB.....sarebbe davvero una barzelletta.
Saluti

Jun 9, 2013 1:31 PM in response to nclose

Don't throw the plastic wrapper which comes along with the cable. Trim slightly to fit the USB slot. It worked for me to pull it out. Apple has wrapped the faulty cable with solution 😍. (Apple could trim to fit the USB slot) Next time insert with the wrapper on top of the white plastic side. Use untill Apple replaces the faulty one.

User uploaded file

Sep 21, 2012 7:44 PM in response to karenfromhuddersfield

Mine got stuck when I tried to unplug it from the wall wart. The white sleeve at the hub also wanted to move up and uncover it. It worked a little better with my laptop, but it seemed to be a looser fit. I plan to either call Apple for a replacement since the cable actually has a problem itself, or go to the Apple store. If I go to the store, I am taking the cable and wall wart so they can see the issue. I hope to not have to unplug the USB end of the cable before then.

Sep 21, 2012 10:13 PM in response to KB3LMT

This happened to me as well. I put the USB cable into my Apple wired keyboard and simply could not remove it.


I even tried using pliers (gently—I wrapped a cloth around the cable first). But I just could not get the cable out.


I brought the keyboard/Lightning cable into the Apple Store; the Genius gave it a good hard pull and destroyed the cable. In the end, I got a replacement keyboard and cable, but yeah, I won't be plugging it into the keyboard sockets again... feels like they might have cut corners a bit here. Hopefully it's not a universal problem.

Lightning cable USB connector stuck!

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