Data transfer USB-C disconnect issue Huawei MediaPad M5

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Huawei M5 MediaPad 10.8
I'm curious if anyone else using a Huawei tablet has had this disconnect issue when using aftermarket cables?

When I first purchased this tablet back in November 2018 I quickly realized that the only way I could get the tablet to stay connected to the RC was to use the original OEM USB-C cable it came with. I tried several other high grade USB-C cables and whenever the cable is touched/moved even the slightest bit, it disconnects. I found that using the original OEM cable solved this issue. I continued using the OEM cable from then until now without any issues.

I recently lost the OEM cable and am struggling with this issue again. This issue is only when using the cable for data transfer (such as being connected to the RC or connected to a computer to transfer files). The aftermarket cables charge the tablet fine even if the cable is touched/moved. They do not however transfer data consistently unless you can be completely 100% still while doing so (obviously not feasible for flight).

I have been in communication with Huawei to try and get a new factory cable, but no luck yet. I am unable to find an original oem factory cable for sale anywhere.

If anyone knows where to get one of these factory cables and/or has had this issue and knows how to fix it I would greatly appreciate any and all advice!

I'm tempted to tear this thing apart and re-solder/check for loose connection on the USB-C port, but since the factory cable has always worked, I'm not sure it will actually fix anything. In other words, I'm not 100% convinced that the USB-C port is actually loose/disconnecting since the factory oem cable always works just fine. Maybe the factory cable is just a tighter fit, I really don't know at this point.
 
Could it be the USB connection on your RC is the issue? I'm thinking it is the connection point (either RC or Tablet). Once in a while when I boot up (I get a no video from the camera ....but I am able to move the camera with the RC. I've switched to another cable .... and all is OK. Later I can go back to the original cable .... and all is fine. I've come to the conclusion that it is the USB connection point (either at the RC or at the tablet). In my case it could just be wear from the many times I have plugged and unplugged the tablet from the RC.
 
I have a M3 .The ome cable has long gone It has the older mini USB port which is becoming a very lose fit for the plug .It still works but only with a few of the dozens of cables we have .Some of the cheap cables work and the expensive ones don't .
This probably doesn't help you much you may have other issues .You would think there would have to be a cable similar or the same as the original out there somewhere .
 
Nope not the RC. I'm using this tablet for multiple RC and aircraft, same situation on all. Also everything works fine using my Galaxy phone, I just prefer the M5 (4GB RAM ~2.2 Ghz processor). Also, it doesn't have to be a UAV, the data transfer itself when connected to other things (such as my computer) will disconnect if the cable is not in the perfect position or gets touched.

Today I decided to take it to my trusty phone repair guy after getting a vague dead end email back from Huawei basically saying there was nothing they could even suggest to do (I'll post the last email from them below, not impressed).

Trusty phone repair guy agreed that it was probably one of the pins/connections on the USB-C port where it connects to the cables, but he wanted to try strengthening the connection from the USB-C hardware itself to the motherboard (new/strengthen solder connection to motherboard).
Just like this video:
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He was concerned about / didn't want to replace the entire usb-c port (like I was suggesting we do) because of the resistors on these Huawei tablets and the risk of having more problems in the future such as overheating.

So he did the re-solder, I just got home, connected to PC, and so far it is staying connected, transferring data even when touching/moving the cable.

At this point I'm convinced it was in fact the connection to the motherboard, even though we couldn't find any hairline cracks in the solder joints before we started the re-solder.

I'll update if something changes, but
Here is what I've learned:
-Huawei customer support is not great, trusty phone repair guys are great.
-Completely replacing a charge/data port on these Huawei tablets can cause issues with the resistors.
-Data dominant cables (data over charge cables) have longer connection points on the cables. They are generally short cables and are found with devices such as GoPro. These types of cables provide a better data connection point. I'm not using one of these, I'm still using a regular phone charge cable, but I learned this interesting info from the repair guy.
 
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Last response I received from Huawei


We appreciate the time you took to contact Huawei USA technical support. We will be more than happy to assist you with this USB data cable failure related to your Huawei MediaPad M5.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused. Allow us to inform you that Huawei's warranty covers defective or malfunction devices during normal usage twelve months from the date of purchase. As your device is out of warranty any repair option will have a cost, additionally, according with the information that you provide for us this does not seem to be an issue with the USB-C port. If your device disconnects from third party USB cables, they might be a compatibility issue in both devices.

With that being said, allow us to inform you that that this situation is related to software design and as much as we would like to assist you this function in your device, there is no available option at the moment that we can offer to you. However, we would like to share with you the information of the type of Data cable port that your phones can support:

  • USB 2.0/USB Type-C

Additionally, allow us to inform you that Huawei does not have a direct or online sales channel for cell phones, PC and tablets, accessories or spare parts to the public, all our devices are officially distributed by all the different cell phone carriers, internet service providers and specialized technology stores.

You can purchase Huawei products (with US warranty) through the following retailers:


Important Note on Amazon and Newegg: Amazon and Newegg are sellers but also platforms where many different sellers provide products without any relation to the original brands. We recommend you to verify with the seller that the device will have U.S. warranty.

Finally, at the moment, we do not have more information about a recent update for your MediaPad M5, according with the information that we have your device is up to date. Therefore, we kindly suggest staying tuned to our official channels for updates. Moreover, it is important to mention that our updates are released by batches via OTA (Over the air). If your device is eligible for the latest update and it is located in the region where the serial number was originally registered, once the latest update is released, it will be available for download in a matter of days or weeks since the release date.

Allow us to share with you the link to our official website and social media sites to know about Huawei products news, product release dates, and announcements:


We hope you find this information useful.

Should you have any questions or doubts, please contact us back, we are always happy to assist you.

Huawei Customer Care Specialist

I.V.
 
Huawei M5 MediaPad 10.8
I'm curious if anyone else using a Huawei tablet has had this disconnect issue when using aftermarket cables?

When I first purchased this tablet back in November 2018 I quickly realized that the only way I could get the tablet to stay connected to the RC was to use the original OEM USB-C cable it came with.
Before anything else, you should confirm that your tablet is still in Developer Mode.
I once had weird issues like you and it seemed that the connection was the problem.
It turned out that the tablet had somehow slipped out of Developer Mode and fixing that solved the issues.
To put the tablet in Developer Mode, follow Step #2 here:

And there should be no problem using aftermarket cables.
I use cheap right-angle cables I picked up on Ebay and always have a spare in the box.
 
Yeah tablet is still in developers mode, but I have had similar issues where the usb debugging mode does not stay on. I learned to open settings, go to developer options, turn on usb debugging, then while leaving that screen open, turn on the RC. That is the only way I've been able to keep usb debugging active while using DJI GO or Litchi. If I exit the settings screen before turningon RC, usb debugging is automatically turned back off and no connection to RC is made.


Anyways this wasn't a software issue this time. It was definitely an issue with the connection from the USB-C port to the motherboard itself. All is working now, with any/all cables. I do still have to activate usb debugging everytime, and leave that settings page open while turning on RC (like I've always had to do).

Hopefully all of this helps someone down the road.

I will say this, my next dedicated flight controller/tablet will not be from Huawei...
 

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