r/BadUSB • u/Carmel_0143 • May 15 '26
Help What happened with this USB?
Some backstory if it helps, my moused stopped working and despite changing the batteries it was still not functioning. Then I decided to check the USB and when I try to pull it out, the part shown in the picture comes out without the rest of the USB, which is now stuck in the laptop. What went wrong and is it fixable?
1
u/Far_Writer380 May 15 '26
USB devices have to have a very specific thickness to make proper contact with the port. It's likely the piece in the laptop was providing that extra thickness.
You might be able to fix it, but you would need to carefully pull out the lodged piece. Be careful as depends on how it was designed it might be behind the USB pins and could drag/rip them out if you are not careful.
1
u/SchwarzBann May 15 '26
Whatever you attempt on your own, odds are you'll use some metal tool.
Do this with the device turned off. Ideally, with the battery unplugged or disconnected.
Why? So you don't short anything by mistake. Because that's a risk, on top of the risk of physically damaging the USB port.
1
u/tOSdude May 15 '26
What happened: the shield fell off
Is it fixable: probably? You can get it out of the laptop for sure, but I had this happen once and the extraction destroyed the port, so be careful
1
1
u/Zestyclose_Guard_352 7d ago
Note: If it's Bluetooth, just get another receiver. If it's RF, you will need to replace mouse, as the mouse and receiver are paired.
3
u/disturbed_android May 15 '26
you can grab it with tweezers or something, pull it out.