Lenovo ThinkPad X390 Yoga / X13 Yoga Gen 1 – USBC Power Connector Replacement Guide

Have you noticed that on the ThinkPad X390 Yoga or X13 Yoga Gen 1 and many others the red charging indicator light turns off or flickers when you move the USB-C1 main power connector or plug the charger in a certain way? Interestingly, charging still works fine when using USB-C2 instead. As some of our laptops approach five years old, we’ve seen several develop this issue. To fix it, we’ve successfully replaced the USB-C1 connectors using new parts sourced from AliExpress, Ebay Below is the repair method we use. ________________________________________ Tools and Materials • Hot air rework gun (set to approximately 430–440°C) • Fine metal tweezers (preferably bent tip) • Isopropyl alcohol and cotton buds • High-quality solder wick (avoid cheap ones—they often fail to remove solder properly) • Fresh solder • New USBC Power Connector ThinkPad Type ________________________________________ Procedure 1. Remove the Faulty USB-C1 Connector o Heat the area with the hot air gun at around 433°C. o Once the solder softens, gently lift the connector using tweezers. Let its own weight pull it free from the motherboard pads. o Be patient—avoid forcing it off to prevent damage to the PCB tracks. 2. Clean the Area o Wipe the pads with isopropyl alcohol using cotton buds. o Use good-quality solder wick to remove any leftover solder. o Reflow the pads with a small amount of fresh solder, then clean again. 3. Fit the New USB-C Connector o Position the new connector using bent tweezers, ensuring all pins align perfectly with the PCB tracks. o Use the hot air gun again to reflow the solder, applying gentle downward pressure to hold the connector in place. Keep the heat moving evenly. 4. Initial Test o Carefully plug in the USB-C power lead (try both orientations Turn).be vey careful as its only the pins soldered as yet o Check for the red charging indicator light to confirm a solid connection. o If it works both ways, proceed to solder the four outer edge pins securely. 5. Final Testing and Reassembly o Retest charging in both cable orientations ( turn the lea around )to confirm stability. o Once confirmed, reassemble the laptop. ________________________________________ We’ve repeated this process successfully on several units with consistent results. With careful handling and the right tools, this repair can extend the life of your Lenovo ThinkPad by several more years.