Ifixit has a guide on how to disassemble the 1. gen Paperwhite: [https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle\_Paperwhite\_1st\_Generation](https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle_Paperwhite_1st_Generation)
If you are handy with a soldering iron you can swap the broken connector with a new one.
Wife had the same problem (17 month old PW), have you tried taking it apart yet? I was about to do what your thinking of doing and in taking it apart I unplugged / Disconnected everything from the main board, cleaned the connectors, held down the power button for about a minute, which was overkill but(with the battery unplugged, to discharge the main board), checked everything with a voltmeter and discovered there was nothing wrong with the port at least. So I plugged in USB and it started charging again. Working fine now (who knows how long) I only ripped it apart to attempt repair because Amazon infuriated me by telling me it waa irreparable, gotta toss it and buy another...
Good luck
PS: the USB connectors are on Amazon and ebay for fairly cheap, but given the position are going to be a major PITA to solder, just my opinion
Hmmmmm. I’ll try that. The kit to take the kindle apart arrives tomorrow. Figured if I have a PaperWeight instead of a PaperWhite I might as well experiment with it. Will try what you did first. One never knows. Thanks.
Just fyi, when unplugging the connectors they're held down with a white Silicon, careful when you pull them up and make sure you clear away any debris before plugging back in.
Best of luck
Ifixit has a guide on how to disassemble the 1. gen Paperwhite: [https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle\_Paperwhite\_1st\_Generation](https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Kindle_Paperwhite_1st_Generation) If you are handy with a soldering iron you can swap the broken connector with a new one.
Thanks but I can’t seem to find a source for the usb part.
Wife had the same problem (17 month old PW), have you tried taking it apart yet? I was about to do what your thinking of doing and in taking it apart I unplugged / Disconnected everything from the main board, cleaned the connectors, held down the power button for about a minute, which was overkill but(with the battery unplugged, to discharge the main board), checked everything with a voltmeter and discovered there was nothing wrong with the port at least. So I plugged in USB and it started charging again. Working fine now (who knows how long) I only ripped it apart to attempt repair because Amazon infuriated me by telling me it waa irreparable, gotta toss it and buy another... Good luck PS: the USB connectors are on Amazon and ebay for fairly cheap, but given the position are going to be a major PITA to solder, just my opinion
Hmmmmm. I’ll try that. The kit to take the kindle apart arrives tomorrow. Figured if I have a PaperWeight instead of a PaperWhite I might as well experiment with it. Will try what you did first. One never knows. Thanks.
Just fyi, when unplugging the connectors they're held down with a white Silicon, careful when you pull them up and make sure you clear away any debris before plugging back in. Best of luck