Hardware No HDMI output when docked, okay as a handheld

[WadsRUs]

First I'll say that my dock, monitors, cables, etc, etc are fine, all work with other Switches.

So I bought this Switch as faulty - the USB-C connector had some bent pins so I replaced this (have done this a number of times now on other Switches so I know what I'm doing - I'm also fine with microsoldering).

After replacing the USB-C connector I charged up the battery via an external adapter (not in the dock as I was using it with my own Switch at the time).

Once charged to a reasonable amount the Switch booted just fine, games could be played as a handheld, etc. However, there's no HDMI output when docked.

Checked all system settings, even did a factory reset.

Note: this Switch is running firmware 3.0.1

Using my multimeter I buzzed through the 'hidden' pins on the USB-C connector (I have a post elsewhere on how to do this) and they're fine, all connected.

(I've had this issue once before - replacing the PI3USB chip fixed it - well, in a way - with that Switch I replaced the chip, it didn't help, but on putting back the original PI3USB the HDMI output was restored so I guess there was a dodgy connection on that chip that happened during manufacture (so really I should have re-flowed it first)).

Anyway, back to this faulty Switch with no HDMI - I checked for any shorts, etc. Then I re-flowed the PI3USB - no change. I replaced the PI3USB - no change. I decided to replace the M92T36 - no change. I then decided to take a wild stab in the dark and change the BQ24193 (that can cause some weird things when faulty) - no change! Note: I checked for shorts around all of the replaced chips.

So I'm stumped.

Any ideas please?

Is there anything in particular that I can or should measure with my multimeter or any other chips that could cause this?

Thanks

 

[WadsRUs]

No ideas anyone?

 

[HtheB]

Pictures of the faulty board would probably help

 

[WadsRUs]

There's nothing to see - it's just your standard HAC-CPU-10 revision, looks no different to any other, nothing missing, nothing broken, shorted or corroded.

 

[Rauliki]

There's nothing to see - it's just your standard HAC-CPU-10 revision, looks no different to any other, nothing missing, nothing broken, shorted or corroded.

Does the hdmi cable work with anything else? Maybe try different one?

 

[PyroGoat]

Does the hdmi cable work with anything else? Maybe try different one?

OP said dock and cables are "known good" as it works with another switch.

I also have a Switch with this problem, only works in handheld mode.

Good luck and keep us updated, I have other priorities at the moment.

 

[WadsRUs]

I hope to get back to work on it in a few days, other things have cropped up lately that have demanded my attention.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

First I'll say that my dock, monitors, cables, etc, etc are fine, all work with other Switches.

So I bought this Switch as faulty - the USB-C connector had some bent pins so I replaced this (have done this a number of times now on other Switches so I know what I'm doing - I'm also fine with microsoldering).

After replacing the USB-C connector I charged up the battery via an external adapter (not in the dock as I was using it with my own Switch at the time).

Once charged to a reasonable amount the Switch booted just fine, games could be played as a handheld, etc. However, there's no HDMI output when docked.

Checked all system settings, even did a factory reset.

Note: this Switch is running firmware 3.0.1

Using my multimeter I buzzed through the 'hidden' pins on the USB-C connector (I have a post elsewhere on how to do this) and they're fine, all connected.

(I've had this issue once before - replacing the PI3USB chip fixed it - well, in a way - with that Switch I replaced the chip, it didn't help, but on putting back the original PI3USB the HDMI output was restored so I guess there was a dodgy connection on that chip that happened during manufacture (so really I should have re-flowed it first)).

Anyway, back to this faulty Switch with no HDMI - I checked for any shorts, etc. Then I re-flowed the PI3USB - no change. I replaced the PI3USB - no change. I decided to replace the M92T36 - no change. I then decided to take a wild stab in the dark and change the BQ24193 (that can cause some weird things when faulty) - no change! Note: I checked for shorts around all of the replaced chips.

So I'm stumped.

Any ideas please?

Is there anything in particular that I can or should measure with my multimeter or any other chips that could cause this?

Thanks

The PI3USB30532 would have been my guess. However, it could be one of the components attached to it as well (capacitors, fuses, anything like that - not too familiar with the internal layout of the Switch)
Do the Switch and dock both recognize that the Switch has been plugged in (the screen goes dark and the LED lights up solid green?)
Have you tried setting the resolution to 480p, on the off chance that there's some interference or the signal quality is too poor to output 1080p?
Have you tested the ports (USB-C and HDMI) on the dock itself?
Have you tested USB OTG?
If everything tests OK and you still can't get any output, it could be something to do with the SoC itself, or one (or more) of the small components on the board is faulty. But it will be tricky to figure out exactly what's wrong, you're in uncharted territory now. At this point, most professional repair people would consider the board unrepairable, and use it for spares.

 

[WadsRUs]

The PI3USB30532 would have been my guess. However, it could be one of the components attached to it as well (capacitors, fuses, anything like that - not too familiar with the internal layout of the Switch)

This is what I next intend to check in a few days when I have some other things out of the way.

Do the Switch and dock both recognize that the Switch has been plugged in (the screen goes dark and the LED lights up solid green?)

Yup, that's working fine.

Have you tried setting the resolution to 480p, on the off chance that there's some interference or the signal quality is too poor to output 1080p?

Tried that, no dice.

Have you tested the ports (USB-C and HDMI) on the dock itself?

They're fine - my own Switch and others don't have any problems with the same dock.

Note: The Switch WILL charge in the dock.

Have you tested USB OTG?

That's a very good point, I haven't but will do so.

If everything tests OK and you still can't get any output, it could be something to do with the SoC itself, or one (or more) of the small components on the board is faulty. But it will be tricky to figure out exactly what's wrong, you're in uncharted territory now. At this point, most professional repair people would consider the board unrepairable, and use it for spares.

I don't like to give up. This is fun and it's a learning exercise.


Thanks for your ideas.

 

[Danster75]

I had the exact same problem, it turned out one of the coils between the P13USB and USB-C port had blown. Replacing the blown coil solved my issue!
Check each of those five components (left and right side!) for continuity.

 

[WadsRUs]

Thanks very much for the great suggestion - pretty sure I did check them but will do so again just in case I forgot.

Edit: Just re-checked them - sorry to say that they are fine.

 

[linuxares]

@mattytrog or @gamesquest1 we need your expertice here on how to find the borked component.

 

[mattytrog]

Wild stab...

Manually set the resolution to 720p in settings. Try that.
Check 3v is getting to the PI3USB.

Now this is important... Does the dock LED go green and the TV attempts to find a signal?

 

[WadsRUs]

Wild stab...

Manually set the resolution to 720p in settings. Try that.

Done that - no change.

Check 3v is getting to the PI3USB.

It is.

Now this is important... Does the dock LED go green and the TV attempts to find a signal?

Yes to both of those.

Thanks for the suggestions, it's a bit of a puzzler.

 

[mattytrog]

Done that - no change.



It is.



Yes to both of those.

Thanks for the suggestions, it's a bit of a puzzler.

Check around the passives around PI3USB. In particular the ferrite filters. These arent the strongest! Bell them with a meter / check impedance / continuity is uniform with all of them

 

[WadsRUs]

Thanks, will do. Hope to get back to work on it in the next few days once I have some other things out of the the way so will report back here with any further findings.

 

[mattytrog]

If you have power to the PI3USB, the PI3USB is confirmed good, USB port is soldered good... Caps etc are good around PI3USB...

Those resistors (4 in total) should be good. Guessing they 150R. There is a big (well... 0603 size I think) inductor between pins 4 and 10. Check that. An LC tester would be good for this.

If all turns out to be good, it HAS to be the filters. All it can be.

 

[WadsRUs]

Great, thanks. I'll look into all of that in the next few days and re-check everything, maybe tomorrow or over the weekend.

 

[Buurmanzz92]

I have the same problem also no hdmi output anymore. But it does charge and is fine in handheld mode. Should i try to replace the usb-c first ?

 

[WadsRUs]

I have the same problem also no hdmi output anymore. But it does charge and is fine in handheld mode. Should i try to replace the usb-c first ?

Before doing that, check inside the USB-C port - are any pins bent? Use a magnifying glass or magnifier and a good light source to be sure.

Also, are you able to check the dock with another Switch?

Are the cables good and plugged in correctly?

Did the TV work okay with the Switch up until recently? Etc.