Broken USB Port Repair on a Blue Yeti Microphone - Mini USB Port Replacement 

Thanks for this! Couldn't find the correct layout for the life of me

MEU DEUS TE AMOOOO, to há uma semana procurando essa caraia dessa entrada e nao acho

Thanks for this i even have an old ps3 controller i could use for parts 👌

You're very welcome!

I look forward to continue to bring you guys quality sponsors ;)

Thanks bud. I have a few consoles incoming. Although I have a long backlog of projects I haven't been too motivated to work on the ones I have. I'm pretty excited about the upcoming ones though. Another PSOne and a Sega Master System as well.

It's a design oversight because the USB cables gets caught on the stand when you adjust the mic positioning, if you aren't careful. Yep, it's an easy repair and if yours is only intermittent you might not even need to swap the port, you can just reflow the pins with some fresh solder to reconnect them properly.

@@BorderlineOCD I hadn't considered doing that. If it gets worse and that's all that appears to be needed done, I'll do it. Thanks.

Thanks, I really enjoy projects where I get a chance to improve my soldering skills.

Thanks! 👍

I appreciate that!

That doesn't sound like an easy repair! Good luck. I'm not going to sell you on my $35 hot air station because I know its garbage, but for the once a month I use it, it works great and I'm very happy I bought it. Definitely agree the right tools help even if they are cheap ones when you're starting to expand your toolkit. So many tools!

@@BorderlineOCD i did already replace the pins on it but after installing windows and not having an audio device present even in device manager i thought it might be the pins so i took them off again and put some pins in the socket instead but nothing changed. it seems that more users dont have any audio device with this windows version so im going to put some new pins on the cpu and reinstall an older version of windows instead and see if audio works again

Indeed. I'm sure with smaller connectors it's going to take more practice to do them right. I'm looking forward to doing a USB-C or surface mount HDMI (like PS4 rather then through-hole PS3 style) but there aren't too many newer devices I'm terribly interesting in owning that have the newer style ports.

He got the same result, with something he had lying around. But yeah using a rubber band instead with a wrench, like how he has done it this would work great in theory

@@5izzy557 I mentioned it because you could see the pliers damaging the plastic on the knobs.

I tried this using a rubber band I had lying around and it was really effective and didn't leave much damage. The only tricky one was the mute button, but worked. Thanks for the tip.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you! Cheers!

@@Gal2k6 Thanks, Big G.

Thats a good question. On this mic it was easy to find as its a common issue on this model and you can find links to the popular electronics suppliers on Reddit threads and other RU-vid videos to get a good look at the port, even if you haven't removed it yet. Removing it and going by sight can work well too, as ports have identifying markers when you examine them closely. I have also used a caliper in the past to measure the "pitch" of a connector or socket to make sure I was buying the right one (like for the Neo Geo Bios socket). I've also bought the wrong port as well on previous projects so you don't always get it right :P

@@BorderlineOCD thanks a lot, brother!

I saw a project video on DIY Perks some time ago doing this on a web camera. I thought it was a really neat idea. Definitely could be a fun tinkering project but although my iMac is a newer model with USB-C, my Macbook Air is the previous gen with no USB-C so I'm in no hurry to do that just yet.

@@BorderlineOCD USB A to USB C cable will still allow you to use it on both macs and make the blue yeti much better cause it’s the placement of the port that breaks it so replacing it with the same port will only work until it breaks again it’s a design issue

I know I know, but life!!

Thanks for the sub.

Suggest starting with something simple like a broken appliance cord or a large on/off switch etc. Build some confidence doing the basics and move up from there. Wouldn't attempt to fix a PS3 when you're starting out, especially with an iron that isn't temperature controlled. Good luck!

@@BorderlineOCD i know... My friends dad is a BIG repair man and he has hot rework stations so when christmas hits we will begin..

Leaded solder, flux and a soldering iron. I also used a hot air rework station to help clear the solder from the through-holes when removing the old port.

I would suggest reexamining your soldering on the mini USB port with a multimeter in continuity mode. It's likely the 5V and GND lines are good but one of the data lines is either not making a connection or it's shorted with an adjacent pin.

I have the USB ports linked in the desc you'd just need to find someone maybe a friend or family member that has a bit of soldering experience. It's not a particularly hard repair.

there actually isn't an led in the button, its just a fiber optic button attachment transporting light from the actual button. So you can just pull the "button" which is really just the attachment off and you will have to take out the screws and the inside to replace that LED.

I have no problem sharing bud, I just do this for fun and theres plenty to go around for everyone. There's no secret though. I source them a couple of different ways. First, I try to get bulk lots when I can and take a gamble on "untested" lots as well. If you look at the very first video I uploaded to the channel, thats how I started. It's a large upfront cost but if you average it out for each included console it should be a worthwhile investment, especially if you manage to get the majority of them working. Second I visit thrift stores often. 90% of the time I don't find anything but I've found a Dreamcast, PS2s, random loose controllers and cables, random game carts (like Game Gear which I don't even own the console). Third, I check Craigslist several times a week. Countless success on Craigslist. You have to keep checking because there are others like you locally who do the same. Fourth, I participate in eBay auctions, NOT "Buy it now". With "Buy it now" you guarantee you get the item, but not cheap. With Auctions, you have a chance to get the item (but no guarantee) at a lower price. Be prepared to bid and lose on many auctions but eventually you will win some for a decent price. Perhaps last, I buy internationally (like from Japan auctions). It only makes sense for bulk lots otherwise it's too expensive. It can be a good way to get exotic consoles (thats how I got my 6 Neo Geos). One last tip, I don't mind if I don't get the full console with accessories at the same time. For example, I got a Dreamcast with no accessories and I found the controllers for it almost a year later. I could have bought them on eBay but I just waited and eventually someone was selling a few on Craigslist. Bottom line, there's no secret discount store and I don't have any special connections. This is my hobby so I spend time on it every day. The more you look, the higher your chance of success.

@@BorderlineOCD Thanks a heap. Also, I’ve looked at Japanese auctions before and a while ago I found a pretty good site but I have lost it. Would you mind telling me the website name? Unfortunately in Australia there isn’t a very big Craigslist scene, but I’ll definitely hit up the local garage sales and thrift shops. Thanks again.

For stuff from Japan here in the US I use a proxy service like Sendico or Buyee. The most popular auction site in Japan is Yahoo Auctions. It's a clunky experience and its a slow process from start to finish riddled with fees but it works and your stuff will show up. I haven't been able to justify it for mainstream consoles though.

You’ll have to physically inspect the USB port connector to see if it is salvageable. Sometimes is breaks clean off and can be reflowed. Sometimes there is damage or it’s worn and makes sense to replace. Either way a soldering iron, solder and some flux will be needed.

@@BorderlineOCD Hey I broke mine today I think. I was wondering what flux does. Do I need that?

It helps prevent solder bridges and keeps the solder on the copper pads where it's supposed to be. Solder is impregnated with flux but it's not enough for delicate jobs and for beginners especially I think it's a must. I don't solder without it.

Where did you buy the usb port?

@@tot1fon256 just a generic PCB mount Mini USB port off of Amazon

Haha thanks for your comments on my other videos. Glad to know I am missed.

I think you were a second too late :P Thanks for swinging by my man.

I suppose that's one way to do it...

@@BorderlineOCD it looks ugly but it did the job lol

I'm not sure buddy. Very unlikely you'll find a schematic for a Blue mic. You could physically inspect the 3-mic array and make sure one of them isn't damaged/torn/fractured etc. I wouldn't recommend swapping the mics around though as they are very fragile. But might give you an idea if its one of the mics in the array or something further down the line in the circuitry.

@@BorderlineOCD I found it! It was a tiny (could hardly see it) little smd capacitor on the digital board labeled C2 that turned leaky. I first compared voltages between the left and right channel on various points but they were identical. Then I compared resistance. C2 on the left channel measured 960 ohms instead of infinity on C1 on the right channel. So I soldered it out and immediately lost it on the floor. So then I also soldered out C1 and nearly lost that too but managed to get it on my component tester before I lost it. It was 4.7uF Thru some weird coincidence I happened to have a little strip of those in my drawer. like *EXACTLY* the ones needed. So, it's fixed now. :D

Nice detective work buddy very glad to hear it.

The USB port? I have a link in the description. They are pretty affordable and available on both Amazon and parts distributers like Mouser.

@@BorderlineOCD Yeah, sadly I was cursed with being from EU :D noone has it here - that or wait 21 weeks for delivery :D

It's a common issue due to the placement of the port. If you adjust the mic while plugged in the cable stresses the port. An L-shaped USB cable would have solved this issue so its a bit of a bad design and I'm sure they replaced thousands under warranty. Excellent mic though. Pick one up and fix it :)

@@BorderlineOCD already purchased. $20 shipped was the best deal I found buy not sure if it has the stand and everything. I plan to put it on a boom arm with a shock mount either way.

Bait

Lol. You guys are funny. So you don't like the Yeti then?

I bought a soldering kit and flux to repair this for no more than 20 dollars.

I think you won. Good job bud.