How could I add a usb-c port to a laptop. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: HorseWithATopHat
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 02:57:00 pm
content: I've got this stupid little inspiron 5584, been wanting to add usb-c since I saw there was a connector for it, but I can't find much info on where to buy these, and how to solder it on, anyone know how?

author: thephil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 03:15:58 pm
content: I'm not entirely sure what exactly you are trying to achieve. Are you saying it has a USB-C port but it does not work? Or would you like to convert a USB-A Port to USB-C? Or something else?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 09:57:52 pm
content: It looks like your laptop is missing the connector and many supporting parts, its not going to be easy to do:https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Dell+Inspiron+15+5584+DC+Jack+Replacement/149700https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/pcJG2sMcKPiaIcpZ.hugeAlso you can find some videos, mostly relating to power USB ports:https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=add+usb+c+to+laptop

author: indeterminate
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2025, 10:42:12 pm
content: You would need the schematics for your board at a minimum.and confirm that usb c was supported in the chip set before you go and start adding all the missing componentsor swap the mother boardwww.ebay.com.au/itm/257104372318

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 03:27:37 am
content: A partial solution, if you don't want full serial data etc. is for providing just a simple usb-a port for charging...that could be added just by obtaining a USB output connector and soldering two wires, to the laptop battery. That provides at least a charging port, for your phone, or audio devices.Course no full port function, but thought might help. Just saying.

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2025, 08:49:21 pm
content: The battery is a 3 cell, nominal 11.4v. Soldering that to a USB connector for charging things is very likely to kill anything that gets plugged in.

author: MrAl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2025, 07:35:26 am
content: Quote from: HorseWithATopHat on September 24, 2025, 02:57:00 pmAre you saying that your laptop has USB A ports but not USB C ports?The easiest way is to get an adapter and plug that in. It will convert A to C with no soldering.There is a catch however, USB C has multiply operating modes that depend on the internal hardware of the computer not just the connector. For example, some will do very high power like 100 watts, while others will do very fast speed like 40Gb/s for use with monitors and all sorts of stuff. If your computer internally is limited to say 5Gb/s speed and 2.5 watts, then there is little you can do about that except you can still improve the 2.5 watts by using a powered USB hub, where you can get much higher power but you'll need to plug the wall wart into the wall to use it so you lose the mobile part of the computer really.I don't think you can find an adapter that takes two A ports and creates one C port to double the speed of the C port either.Internally, I don't think you can up the speed from 5Gb/s to 10Gb/s because there is a lot of support circuitry to go with it even the CPU would probably have to be changed.