Repair a Broken Ethernet Plug

http://www.instructables.com/id/Repair-a-Broken-Ethernet-Plug/
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by laxap (/member/laxap/)
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(/member
So many things to learn and make, so
/laxap/)
little time! I like things that are cool, useful,
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inspired you, share it and you'll get a patch.
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FM3/8GEK/FZHLA48X/FM38GEKFZHLA48X.LARGE.jpg)

The locking tab of RJ45 plugs breaks very easily. Replace it by two nylon cable
ties (aka zip ties), in minutes.

(/id/Google-Polycarbonate)

IMPORTANT NOTES:
- This must be regarded as a temporary "Mac Gyver" solution, for home usage.
- Definitely not for IT staff! (no crimper? asking for one in the budget won't get
you fired!)
- Before the tab breaks, consider protecting the plug
(http://www.instructables.com/id/Sugru-Ethernet-RJ45-Plug-Protector/).

(/id/MathVision)

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repair (/tag/type-id/category-technology/keywordrepair/)
ethernet (/tag/type-id/category-technology/keyword-

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ethernet/)

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FGA/VRWN/FYTCHMDU/FGAVRWNFYTCHMDU.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FYJ/N8FQ/FYTCLWFE/FYJN8FQFYTCLWFE.LARGE.jpg)

There are always some Ethernet cables around with a broken tab. Did you
remember to exchange the cable?
Now the RJ45 plug no longer locks properly, making the connection unreliable.
You firmly push the plug into the socket, hurray you're connected again! so you
forget about the plug until the next lost connection some weeks later, wasting a
long time to figure out that it's this damn broken plug again. And so on.
Now it's time to act and grab your RJ45 crimp tool. Oh, you don't have one? Or
you're reluctant to use it? so read on...

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FBJ/NWON/FZG436JQ/FBJNWONFZG436JQ.LARGE.jpg)

Tools:
Cable tie tool (optional)
Sharp knife
Cutting pliers
Materials:
TWO CABLE TIES (small size)
They are true heroes of this instructable.
Their exact size matters, this is discussed in the next step.

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FNB/HMKT/FYTCLWFF/FNBHMKTFYTCLWFF.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FV9/UJCW/FZHLA48B/FV9UJCWFZHLA48B.LARGE.jpg)

The head of the cable ties must have the proper width to snap into the socket,
and be easily released.
To test, insert the head into the socket as shown in the first picture below. It
should snap.
Then gently pull the cable tie. You should feel some resistance.
I measured (http://cdn.instructables.com/FIY/WLIE/FZG436JV/FIYWLIEFZG436JV.LARGE.jpg)
a head width of 4.3mm.

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FE2/FGDJ/FYTCLWFG/FE2FGDJFYTCLWFG.LARGE.jpg)

Cut approx 4.5 cm (1.8 inches).

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F77/LE3T/FYTCHMDP/F77LE3TFYTCHMDP.LARGE.jpg)

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With the sharp knife, and preferably on a piece of scrap material, cut the head
of the cable tie, to make it flat.
(http://cdn.instructables.com/FH1/ZQLD/FZG436JS/FH1ZQLDFZG436JS.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F5Y/MXYY/FYTCHMDQ/F5YMXYYFYTCHMDQ.LARGE.jpg)

Bend it as shown.

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FMV/OLNA/FZHLA48H/FMVOLNAFZHLA48H.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FMH/F2KZ/FYTCLWFI/FMHF2KZFYTCLWFI.LARGE.jpg)

With the second cable tie, tighten the first one.

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FVJ/5NSL/FZG436JT/FVJ5NSLFZG436JT.LARGE.jpg)

Now it looks funny. Is that meant to work? Read on...

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FDX/EP3Q/FZHLA48Q/FDXEP3QFZHLA48Q.LARGE.jpg)

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FN1/JVK8/FYTCHMDR/FN1JVK8FYTCHMDR.LARGE.jpg)

Tune the position and bends of the cable tie #1, so that it acts as a spring.

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FHJ/CFD2/FYTCHMDT/FHJCFD2FYTCHMDT.LARGE.jpg)

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(http://cdn.instructables.com/FCO/K4CB/FZG436JU/FCOK4CBFZG436JU.LARGE.jpg)

Insert the repaired plug as shown.

You should get this beloved "click" noise again!

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3 years ago

(/member
/lmlei/)

Reply

Can people that tried this way confirm if its safe for my laptop...? I LOVE the
idea i just hope its safe to use haha

lmlei

(/member
/Rybka30/)

3 years ago

Reply

I used it for few months... and then PC engineer said me it can break
ethernet card in computer... i dunno how, but he said it can... :/

Rybka30

1 month ago

Reply

There are just a few engineer/technicians etc that make their best
by selling you the new part that you don't really need. Just a
few.

(/member profit
/ElectroFrank/)

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Rybka30

(/member
/mmykle/)

3 years ago

It can only break the port if you misjudge the how small to cut the
ziptie. If it is too big the cable will get stuck in the port. However in
most cases you should be able to get it out by sliding a knife in
between the ziptie and the ethernet port.

1 month ago

(/member
/MarkC14/)

Reply

Reply

I had an occasion to use this instructable tonight and found that three
refinements were necessary for the repair to work properly and in sharing
them below it is my hope that others will at least give this solution a try
because it is a clever option and I would not have thought of it were it not for
this site. That said, let's dive in.
1. First, the need to make the zip tie head thinner is necessary and without
question, however, the process by which you do it is important. I found that
for the zip ties I had it was not possible to use an exacto or disposable
precision blade because the plastic was too hard. I ended up using a large
butcher knife and a kitchen chopping block. PLEASE use caution when doing
this. Take careful note of where your fingers are before cutting. If you have
smaller hands or are at all unsure about your ability to do this, get an adult or
someone with strong, steady hands to do it for you.
2. Next, it is extremely unlikely that the thinning of the head with a knife will
be precise enough. I found it easier and more precise to refine the thinning
process with a metal nail file. The one I used has a black plastic handle about
1.25 inches long and the metal file portion is about 2 inches. They are
available in the beauty section of any popular store like Walmart, CVS,
Walgreens, Target, etc.
The thickness must be such that the zip tie head does not stick up above the
RJ45 connector when in place. I found it easier to keep the nail file still in one
hand while moving the zip tie head back and forth across it.
When the thickness is precisely the same height as the top of the RJ45
connector, the next step is to cut the head of the zip tie to a shorter length,
perhaps in half. This is because the point of the "click" which secures the
connector in the jack is quite a precise location and my zip tie head was just
too long thus causing the notch to be too far back and not click. Use the nail
file to file the end square and smooth.
3. Lastly, I found that using a small rubber band around the connector under
the zip tie will provide a better spring action. An additional rubber band
around the cable and zip tie on the cable area behind the connector entirely
will provide additional support and finally about a half inch behind that is
where I put the zip tie to hold it all tight. This makes three points (see
pictures) where the modified zip tie is held to the cable and this is important
because any side to side movement will cause the "click" to fail and the
connector to come out of the jack.
Caution: As stated by the author of this instructable, this is a temporary repair
and certainly is not something you'd want to do in a business environment for
more than a short time period. For the home user, however, it should suffice.
However, there are certain jacks where this fix may not be suitable; for
example if the jack is hard to access or is where the connector will be the only
thing holding the cable in the jack. For the latter, some sort of strain relief
rigging is required either with a piece of string or wire holding the cable up or
some type of clever cable management. This would most likely occur if the
repaired end of the cable was connected to a switch or router mounted on a
wall or in a rack. But that's for another article!
Feedback: Some commenters here have suggested that the better solution is
to cut off the broken connector altogether and replace it with a new one.

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Respectfully, this is not always feasible. Having been a network administrator for
over a decade, I've run into several situations where an "in the field" repair was
the only option.

(http://cdn.instructables.com/F5J/OY5V/I5DS7BHO

/F5JOY5VI5DS7BHO.LARGE.jpg)

/I5DS7BKY/FT5FPUNI5DS7BKY.LARGE.jpg)
/F5X/NM1G/I5DS7BMS/F5XNM1GI5DS7BMS.LARGE.jpg)

(http://cdn.instructables.com/FT5/FPUN

(http://cdn.instructables.com

1 month ago

Reply

The cost of RJ45 plugs is less than 0,10 so it is better to change the plug.
(/member
/ThanassisK/

It needs
10 minutes if you are not doing that every day

1 month ago

Reply

1 month ago

Reply

Or check out the RJCLIP.

(/member
/CarolynC2/)

CHEAPEST AND EASIEST FIX. Slip a RUBBER BAND all the way under the
clip if the locking plasticclip is cracked but not broken off. The rubber
band will lift the inner non-broken part of the clip just enough for you to hear
or feel the click when it locks in place. You can remove the plug by pressing
down on the clip and rubber band as usual.

(/member plug
/CarolynC2/)

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This works for a SEMI-PERMANENT FIX, in case you rarely re-insert the plug, to
avoid having the cable plug annoyingly disengage when you accidently move the
cable or router, especially when you are unaware of it.

3 months ago

Reply

Problem solved! We are not big fans of wireless networking. A broken plug is
a big inconvenience. Fixing it saved us alot of money and frustriation. Great
photos. Thank you very much.

(/member
/ebasir/)

4 months ago

Reply

I don't know what everyone is going on about, this took me 20 minutes max
works perfectly. :)

(/member and it
/michael.raiola.71/)

8 months ago

Reply

I couldn't cut the head bit, as it is tough as nails. I tried with pair of sheers but
only made it uneven. So I took on another tip, tape the sides of the plug and
it should make it snug. Works just fine.

(/member it
/Boygasmo/)

2 years ago

Reply

Ah!!!!!!!!!! What a waste of time and disappointment. I wish I could be as

positive as the others, but sorry, that's just not the case. I tried this, which
took probably at least an hour with the cutting the head of the tie being the
longest. It cracked to the top, but I managed to change the direction of the cut
to get it even and finish the job. I also super-glued it and wiped off any
excess. It eventually cracked again though.

(/member
/roseuz/)

Once I finally reached the last step, I am able to put it into my Ethernet port,
but sometimes must fidget with it to get it pushed in all the way so that when I
tug on it I can feel resistance. The second thing that bothered me the most is
that it's too difficult to get out and I usually have to pull out my Ethernet cord
as I have a non wireless printer that's not in my room and this would frustrate
me every time I have to take the cord out.
I guess the easiest and fastest solution, would be to buy a coupler as
someone else suggested and a one foot cord and tape the damaged end of
the cord into the coupler.

roseuz

9 months ago

Reply

Absolutely agree! The idea is good, but I just spent an hour trying this
various cable-ties and I have to say, the cable is better off without
this "fix". I just bought a RJ45 coupler and added another cable.

(/member with
/glenneroo/)

(author)

(/member
/laxap/)

glenneroo

9 months ago

Reply

Sorry for the waste of time... but you have been warned by the
important note in the intro. You shall consider this fix as a curiosity.

1 year ago

Reply

I've found super gluing a $3 inline coupler to be easier and more flexible.
(/member
/blueonion/)

http://mike-ward.net/blog/post/00880/simple-way-to-fix-a-broken-ethernet-

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connector-rj45 (http://mike-ward.net/blog/post/00880/simple-way-to-fix-a-brokenethernet-connector-rj45)

1 year ago

Reply

1 year ago

Reply

dude you totally rock! :v

(/member
/N.Khan/)

Thank you thank you and thank you so much. Almost every plug I have is
and I was about to go buy new ends and recrimp them. Now I don't
have to.

(/member broken
/redfoxtrystman/)

1 year ago

Reply

Love this. This seems like you would want this at the dedicated end,
? Or is this a remedy that works for repeated plug in and unplug
uses?

(/member correct
/jarvallmighty/)

1 year ago

Reply

1 year ago

Reply

1 year ago

Reply

1 year ago

Reply

2 years ago

Reply

2 years ago

Reply

ingeniosamente simple y espectacularmente til

(/member
/Doncans/)

felicitaciones

nice trick...so simple

(/member
/ljuwana/)

really brilliant
(/member
/x+burn/)

I am in love with you man! xxx

(/member
/Fat+Aido/)

Great job on the ties!

(/member
/softenersreviews/)

(/member
/dmesser/)

This might be fine s a temporary fix. But seriously, just crimp on a new end.
They're as cheap as cheap as pull-ties, and you won't have to fiddle with
getting the cuts just right. Any home improvement store carries the crimper
and ends.

MUAHAHAH!!! NEVER will I EVER be disconnected from Xbox Live because of

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5 years ago

that cursed cable!!! :D Thanks a bunch

dude!

Reply

(/member
/mmcpherson4/)

mmcpherson4

3 years ago

Reply

same here dude - no getting booted from cod or gears!

(/member
/hunter999/)

mmcpherson4

3 years ago

Reply

3 years ago

Reply

haha same exact reason im doing this!

(/member
/socalsmiley/)

An excellent fix for an all too common problem. Saved me hours of laying new
or renewing connectors. A simple and annoyingly obvious fix once you
have seen it done once.

(/member cables
/Lawrence.Frewin/)

3 years ago

Reply

thanks mate for showing this. i applied to to my own cat-5 cable and also
the same application modified for my old telephone wire cable.

(/member used
/eddles777/)

3 years ago

Reply

pratyushpmhptr 3 years ago

Reply

(removed by author or community request)

(/member
/pratyushpmhptr/)

The Home Depot electrical department has them. Various sizes. Try
hardware department as well depending on store.

(/member the
/muckquomp/)

pratyushpmhptr

3 years ago

Reply

3 years ago

Reply

Poundland in Uk and dollar world in other places

(/member
/RCGuru/)

I can't cut the friggin nylon tie with an extremely sharp razor. Now what, sand
flat?

(/member it
/prodo123/)

(author)

(/member
/laxap/)

prodo123

3 years ago

Reply

Because the nylon is quite hard, a sharp and sturdy blade+handle is

necessary. Use a utility knife (stanley, or snap-off).
Side cutting pliers may also be used.

laxap

I used a Stanley utility knife and it still won't cut...

Then I used wire cutters and it completely deformed the end

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3 years ago

Then I used needle nose pliers and

it did the same thing

Reply

(/member
/prodo123/)

prodo123

3 years ago

Reply

Sorry but you made me laugh. Have you got a sharp blade installed in
knife? If you use a little backwards and forwards motion and gently
push you will make it through the plastic clip. You could use some
mineral oil to help with the friction. You have to have some patients,
they are tough little pesky things.

(/member the
/Horus9339/)

If you have a little modelers drill you could use a small sander tip but
that would defeat the whole point of this genius repair. Which can be
done with little to no tools, I have managed to do this with a set of True
Utility Nail Clippers. So keep going and you will succeed.
Good luck.

Horus9339

3 years ago

Reply

I got a new Ethernet cable, problem solved.

yes, it was sharpened at that time. In fact, laying my finger over it
got me a small cut. So it looks like there's something wrong with my
cable ties. Or maybe it's some industrial-grade cable tie? I don't know.

(/member And
/prodo123/)

prodo123

3 years ago

Reply

Oh well . . . got here too late to tell you to try a finger nail clipper. The
ones with a wide flat Jaw for toe nails. This is what I plan to use
instead.

(/member big
/muckquomp/)

3 years ago

Reply

This rocks more than a very rocky thing! Thank you!

(/member
/throbscottle/)

I have a cable where the tab broke off from being plugged/unplugged every
day, so this will be much better than the original tab because it's almost
unbreakable!

3 years ago

Reply

Finally gave this a try on my cable that keeps coming loose. For a moment I
it hadn't worked but then I nudged the ties forward a bit and it clicked
and locked. Excellent job on this!

(/member thought
/PaulMakesThings/)

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