Loose USB c port on MacBook Pro 2017

I just found out that I'm having a similar issue and that's the cause for my external ssd to keep disconnecting now and then. But by now I do have this problem only with this particular cable and only on one of my four ports. I'll keep investigating.

Macbook Pro 15'' 2017 with Touchbar

I am so glad I found this thread! I bought my 15" MBP in Dec 2016 and have experienced this issue almost since the beginning. I have made numerous trips to the Genius Bar. Uninstall Sophos, reinstall the OS, etc etc. all software related fixes. Then they said it was the cables, but after 5 external different HD's they had no response. I think my power cable is actually OK. It is my HD's that keep ejecting. I have the LG display that was designed for the MBP with TB3 ports in back and I use that also and it seems OK but that doesn't move. It is when I plug in HD's to the MBP that they eject spontaneously. I have had drives with the dongle and drives with the straight TB3. The Genius's googled this issue and never came up this thread and neither did I until now. Finally the last genius did suggest it was time to send it off for Apple repair so that is where I am now and I am armed with this thread. I bought 5 different external hard drives thinking that was the problem. I put the MBP on a laptop board and rubber banded the external drive to the board so both would move as one and still had issues. Then I velcroed the external hard drives to the lid to minimize movement and when that didn't work closely looked at the LaCie which was ever so slightly not flush against the MBP and causes the drive to eject. These cables are stiff and always under some tension even with these crazy accommodations I have made to immobilize them! Not having these port lock is inexcusable! It's a laptop and is meant to be mobile! This port design is not mobile! This is my first Mac and let me tell you it has been an awful experience, but I am stubborn! So thanks to all for posting.

I would be super careful using any 3rd party usb c cables. These ports are fragile and if you buy a poorly made cable it will "stretch" the ports. One of my ports is actually not quite allowing the cable to go in all the way. I recommend Apple cables or Anker. The cable should have a noticeable click if it's the proper fit. I have a dongle for an external monitor that has a connector that is poorly made and it slides around and easily disconnects. If a connector is made too large it will likely stretch out the port and then other cables will easily fall out.

It seems kind of shocking to move all connectors over to a single standard that seems to fail to be robust enough for daily use! Perhaps a bit more research into this standard from the point of view of daily use would have been wise before switching everything over! It's definitely a pain point on these machines.

In my case it has nothing to do with 3rd party cables. I used only the Apple cable. After 6 months all of my ports were loose to varying degrees. They replaced them all at around 8-9 months. Now 2-3 months later some of them are getting loose again already. I know it is not because it is impossible to build a decent port, because the port on the power break is fine and has had a year or so of regularly daily use. Big design fail here.

Thank you for that comment. I have told by people that I just got a defective port and if I get them fixed, the issue won't come back. If indeed the replacements are just as bad, I would expect a full recall for this. No one pays this much for a laptop that can only be used for a year after the support expires. I have only used the official Apple cable and 2 official USB-C adapters bought from the Apple store.

I think the problem here is that the laptop is so thin and the USB-C adapter housing sticks out so far it is very easy to put sideways pressure on the port if the laptop isn't on a completely flat surface. In other words, your laptop must be used on a desk, not on your lap.

This is very discouraging to read. I just got mine back from Apple TX and they replaced the logic board and IO ports which meant a full restore was needed (on my 2016 model at least) which was easy except some things still don't work like shifting the display to the external monitor. It was under Applecare. So now I have to watch it like a hawk before my Applecare expires. I would be furious to have to pay for this repair! This is ridiculous!

DO NOT "wait for Apple to provide a fix". Unless and until a large number of users present their issues through standard problem-reporting channels, Apple does not know there is a problem, and is NOT working on a fix. Being selfish is the best policy, getting yours fixed helps everyone.

If advice supplied here does not provide resolution, You must take additional steps to resolve your issues. Contact Apple support directly through one of these methods:

• contact telephone support (free for 90 days with a new Mac, of for three years with AppleCare purchase)

• make an appointment at the genius bar at an Apple-owned store for hardware evaluation and advice (free anytime, but after five years parts may no longer be available).

• initiate an Online chat

• Visit an Apple Authorized Service Provider (there may be an "evaluation fee", but if they perform any service for a fee, ask for a rebate of the evaluation fee).

The madness of Apple is that for them the problem does not exist, that component is designed properly, it would be enough to take the same specifications as the charger, which is well done.

Keep in mind, that for the complexity with which this Mac has cost, they change half computer when they open it, I have replaced the logic board (with a wrong ..) and the top case with battery keyboard and touch ID included.

I am very much confused with this. One port (which is usually used for charging) in my Macbook pro is loose compared to the others, however they are still usable. If they are going to replace my port with the same design, I am sure that this will happen after few months. I wish we could inform apple about this and get this fixed in a proper way.

Well mine is a 2016 but looks the same and I'm positive because I saw the parts invoice. It would be really dumb of them if they changed the logic board to make this integrated but didn't fix the faulty design.

unfortunately it is the same thing that they said to me too, but I pretended that I would change the ports, first thing because on a mac of 3,500 euros, a thing like that does not have to happen, second because I often failed the backup, or I found the mac discharge the next morning, despite having been attacked in recharge.

and as long as I get the Apple care, if it comes back, I'll change it.

Apple, I think, is aware of the problem, but why has not there been a recall campaign yet?

It happens to virtually everyone after 6 months of use, obviously it does not happen to those who do not use the ports, but it is practically impossible, given that every single accessory is connected to those ports.

Just got mine back. The 2016 model had to replace the logi board and ports. Super pain! 3 days later I had 30 ejection improperly messages on the La Cie external when I woke up. Nothing moved all night! My Lightroom catalog was apparently correupted in Time Machine also and now my Lightroom is all messed up. This is more than incovenient! I can’t trust any drive or the MBP!

My warranty will get over in another month and I haven't experienced any automatic disconnection, however the frequently used ports are loose compared to others. After reading many users feedback, I am confused on whether to live with it or to give it for repair.

already reported this issue on chat, here is the reply.

"For this one, Apple haven’t release any updates about this one and we haven’t receive lots of case with the same issue, anyway thank you for letting me know. I will log this one."

If I can advise you, go to the Apple store, and try to make them change, also indicating that the problem is discussed on this community.

Otherwise you will have to replace them on your own, and as they have already written, the ports cost only about 15 euros.