USB C Ports on Spectre X360 are Loose, charges intermittently

[captainlaurie]

Hi,

I bought a HP Spectre x360 Convertible 13-w0XX in November of 2016. The USB-C ports have always been a bit loose. After plugging the AC adapter in, I have to find the perfect position for the laptop and leave it to charge, because if I use it while it's charging, it will stop charging intermittently.

I have read other support articles suggesting that the problem might be the AC adapter itself. The problem is NOT my AC adapter. I know this because I have plugged other USB-C peripherals into the laptop with the same intermittent effects.I use USB-C flash drives and sometimes a USB-C to HDMI adapter for an external monitor. Occasionally the monitor stops working or the flash drive quits being recognized because something on my desk moved a fraction of an inch. The problem is the ports.

Based on the number of support articles I've seen with this same problem, this seems like a design flaw, and this hypothesis is supported by the fact that HP has released a newer version of the Spectre X360 and changed the charging port so it's not using USB-C anymore.

I don't think my PC is under the limited warranty anymore, but I bought a 2-year protection plan when I bought it. What should I do to get this addressed? This laptop is a $2000 headache. How do I trade this in for a newer X360 that does not have this same problem? I would prefer to get the newer model that doesn't have this problem at all.

[CherylG · Accepted solution]

Contact Support to have it repaired under the 2 year protection plan:

https://support.hp.com/us-en/contact-hp/product/HP-Spectre-13-w000-x360-Convertible-PC/12499178

Btw, I am using a 2017 Spectre 13 AC0xx and it has usb-c charging. Not sure there are any late model Spectres that don't use it.

[captainlaurie]

Yep, you're right - I thought the newest 2017 release were using a different interface, but the photo I was looking at is flipped around so I was looking at the wrong side. That's not a charging port, it's a headphone jack. *Facepalm*

It's after 3am where I am so I guess this means I need to sleep. Thanks for the advice!

[CherylG]

Good night. After 3 where I am too. 

[emk1993]

I have the same issue! But I won't be covered under the 2 year plan. What should I do?

I purchased my HP Spectre X360 in July 2017. Over the past year, the USB-c ports have become progressively looser. Now, it is extremely difficult to establish a secure connection with the AC adapter and any other USB-c peripherals. Unless the perfect orientation is achieved, the USB-c port loses connection intermittently. This results in the computer being uncharged after hours of being plugged in and in constantly losing and regaining connection with my monitor. This is a MASSIVE headache. If HP cannot fix this for me, it is a HUGE deterrent for future HP laptop customers.