Can you fix a bent/broken USB thumb drive?

My USB stick broke from me bending it. It's a Toshiba TransMemory ID USB 3.0 Flash Drive 32GB - Red, which is a FAT32.

When I opened it up and looked at the PCB, one of the 5 connectors on the PCB that connect to the USB head (the part you plug in) completely broke off. Besides that the PCB is stable and has no damage.

Can this be fixed?

Here's a picture of the part that broke:

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3 Answers

Might try adding a dot of solder. Plug it in direct and try to copy off files. If it works, maybe you can fix or create new case.

Yes, it can be fixed. The contacts are made of metal, and the metal is an electricity conductor: the information travels through the contacts, so yes, you can fix the USB memory by soldering the contacts, and you only need a pair of things:

• A soldering iron.
• Tin.

Yes, it can be fixed. You'll need the following:

• Microsoldering station
• Solder and flux
• Microscope (cannot do without it)
• Steady hands
• Some soldering experience is a big big plus

Basically you will have to figure out where each USB port pins connected to the circuit board. After that you solder a wire from the pin to the circuit board.

Here's an example:

How to fix a flash drive with damaged USB port

More details here.