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How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger

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  1. How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger, How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 1, image 1 of 2 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger, How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 1, image 2 of 2
    • Locate the frayed or exposed area of the Lightning cable.

    • It may be necessary to further expose frayed areas for the repair. With your fingers, gently pull the cable wiring from its outer coating until they separate.

  2. How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 2, image 2 of 2
    • Remove the excess coating from the frayed area by cutting it off with scissors.

  3. How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 3, image 3 of 3
    • Measure the approximate length of heat shrink needed to cover the frayed or exposed area.

    • While cutting, keep the length of the heat shrink longer than the length of the frayed or damaged area.

  4. How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Slide the heat shrink over the wire so that it covers the frayed or exposed area.

    • The 1/4" heat shrink used is not large enough to slide over the connector near the fraying. It may be necessary to slide the heat shrink over the opposite end of the charger.

  5. How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 5, image 1 of 2 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Warm up the hair dryer by turning it on the highest heat setting.

  6. How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 6, image 1 of 2 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Apply heat to the heat shrink.

    • While heating, keep the hair dryer in motion. Applying heat for too long in one location will result in overheating. Overheating may further damage the frayed or exposed wire underneath, and it can even melt the heat shrink itself.

  7. How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • Allow the heat shrink to dry for two minutes.

  8. How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 8, image 1 of 2 How to Repair a Frayed Apple Lightning Charger: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Test the fit by flexing the cable in different directions.

    • If the fit is loose, apply an additional layer of heat shrink by recompleting Steps 3-7.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

5 other people completed this guide.

Kalynn Copeharve

Member since: 09/30/2016

288 Reputation

1 Guide authored

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7 Comments

Thank you for taking the time to post your pictures and the steps to repair a lightening cord. I plan to do this repair, and also, apply heat shrink to the other end BEFORE that one frays. Thanks!!

craig.eden - Reply

I have cables that do not work anymore due to the fraying at the lightning port end. Are there instructions on how to fix this?

Christine Lucas - Reply

The wiring is too intricate, Christine. It’s not worth the time it would take, IMO.

Dave -

Kills me as I recently fixed 3 separate lighting cables at the power converter end, but took no pictures! You have to razor the seam around the outside of the case, split the case apart by pulling out with pliers in the cord-wrap flap area (careful don’t split it) and then attach a new cord to the solder spots on the circuit board, or just to the wire stubs. Best to just order a replacement cord as these include the little stopper that fits into the case between the halves. If you’re good at solder-joining cables you can just do this and shrink-wrap ‘em, but I prefer to use a little crimp joiner, and then fill the crimp with solder before sliding the shrink-wrap down over it. It’s tricky because the join has to fit a small space inside the case. You can get replacement cords at AliExpress. I use duct-tape to tightly close the case in case of more repairs.

https://nl.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catI...

Atticus Mullikin -

Does this work with plastic straws instead of heat shrink?

joris van de noort - Reply

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