Ipad Dock connector no longer working

"Also I would like to add, that 9/10 the solution is very simple. Remove the two dock screws and it generally works. Unless you dropped in water or something stupid like that.

I replace and repair items for a living, and I came across this when our first unit with dock problems came in.

I believe it is a manufacturers defect that causes the problem, someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but for whatever reason, removing those two screws that hold the dock connector in place generally solve the problem.

I joined this community to help and now I think genuinely I found an answer that will help a lot of people out."

"It doesn't look like iFixit has the dock connector in stock, but at least they have directions to replace it if you can find one elsewhere.

That being said, you could probably go into Settings -> General -> Reset -> Erase All Content and Settings, and end up with a clean enough iPad to get warranty service."

"I removed the two screws which face downward (if you're hold the iPad upright in front of your face). They appear to hold the connector to the rest of the device.

I put the whole thing back together (minus screws), and it has worked like a charm since. I have no idea why this worked (and I'm a prior Electronics Technician). Now that it is working, I have no plans to open the iPad again just to figure it out.

If you are going to follow the ifixit instructions for opening the iPad, I would add two caveats:

1) The opening instructions aren't quite right. Metal clips hold the front screen tight to the aluminum only on the top, bottom, and left sides. The right side has plastic tabs which are inserted into recesses in the aluminum. The best way to open it would be to start from the top, then work your way around the LEFT side and along the bottom, then tilt the left side out and slide the front panel towards the left. When I took it apart, the ambient light sensor cable came off by itself, but was not broken.

2) Get the set of 14 clips from this site before operating. You will break clips, and those that aren't broken will be bent and should probably be replaced. I broke 10 of 14 in the process.

GOOD LUCK."

Ashley's simple solution works! ===== I guess that the complex metal sandwich of the connector assembly can become permanently distorted or misaligned under proper direction force and this means the pins are not making good contact any more so by adding slack to the socket housing the cable plug aligns it properly upon insertion ===== My opinion is that this is another (understandable in the long term) design shortcoming by Apple but I guess that many people must have paid good $$ out of warranty for such repairs because Apple is not as perfect as it wants as to believe (and pay) or admit themselves. ===== Anybody knows what an Apple Genius does on this occasion? Says "pay $$ for repair" or "wait 10 mins for the tech guy to fix it"? I guess the "proper" solution is a not cheap whole integrated ribbon/socket replacement.