General discussion • replace the USB 3 port

I have to say first that the hardware of the Pi 5 really disappoints me.
The two locks that secure the display’s flat cable and the blue USB 3.0 port connectors have broken in less than a year, and they haven't been used excessively, harshly, or anything like that.
I have a Raspberry Pi 3+ that I bought the year it was released and... all its hardware is still fine after years of use!

Anyway! Claiming the warranty is another mess, so since what I really want is to have my Pis fully functional, I have a question:
Is it possible to replace the USB 3.0 port component? Has anyone had that experience?
I wouldn’t do it myself—I don’t have the tools or the skills.
But I see those small solder points, and if those ports can be replaced on laptops, why not on the Pi?

Any experience, suggestion, idea, or solution is welcome.
I hope mine is an isolated case, and that the Raspberry Foundation (and Sony) aren't starting to sell low-quality hardware just to cut costs.
My Pi 3+, again, is still working after years, and the hardware is intact.

Statistics: Posted by t0no6al — Sat Jun 07, 2025 9:39 pm

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