Ethernet Jack STUCK in my iMac...

[KyleHarrison]

What would you do?

This is a "CAT6" cable and i needed it at one point for wired internet.
I was ASSURED that its basically the same physically, just better bandwidth capabilities. Being as this FutureShop didn't sell anymore CAT5's, i picked it up and sure enough, it fit, and it worked.

When it came time for me to move to my new location, as i was packing my iMac, i noticed i could NOT dislodge the cord from my iMac. I tried, i forced, i wiggled, everything without actually "snapping" or "breaking" anything.

It fit just fine with GREAT internet, no problems, and its fit EVERYWHERE else that needed it (modems and such) with the ability to dislodge, except this.. it feels like its caught on something...

So when the techs at FutureShop tell me its not possible to get it out without breaking the jack, what would YOU do?

 

[spillproof]

Apple Genius or

 

[bumzo1]

just take it to apple or if your lazy just yank it out I would think the cable would break before the port. (not liable if you break your computer)

 

[davidwarren]

Apple Genius or

what is that?

and OP, cat 6 and cat 5 cables are essentially the same- they are not different sizes. Try again.

 

[alphaod]

Does your clip have the rubber cover on it?

 

[spillproof]

what is that?

Some sort of old fashion dental extracting tool. I found it while looking for pictures of pliers. I thought the drill bit might come in handy.

 

[Drewsky87]

Could possibly be that the RJ-45 was not completely terminated. When the connector gets crimped the contacts go up into the connector, if it isn't crimped down all the way then the contacts can stick out making it a tight fit in some jacks. But if this was the case it would be rough going in.

Worst case scenario, take some pliers and carefully break apart the connector and take it out piece by piece. If you can, pull out the pairs first.

 

[MikeDTyke]

Could just be he's pulling on the cable but not realising there's a plastic clip keeping it in place. If you look at the picture above you'll see on top the tiny clip that wedges against the side of the socket. If you can get a fingernail over it, push it towards the cable, ie. away from the socket wall and then pull on the cable.

If you can't get a finger nail in there a tiny screwdriver or your girlfriends tweezers will do the same job.

 

[rtrt]

or your girlfriends tweezers will do the same job.

good job kyle's clearly a guys name or you could be in trouble

 

[Drewsky87]

Could just be he's pulling on the cable but not realising there's a plastic clip keeping it in place. If you look at the picture above you'll see on top the tiny clip that wedges against the side of the socket. If you can get a fingernail over it, push it towards the cable, ie. away from the socket wall and then pull on the cable.

If you can't get a finger nail in there a tiny screwdriver or your girlfriends tweezers will do the same job.

I'm pretty sure he's aware of the clip on the connector...

 

[Apocrathia]

i second the small screwdriver over the clip idea. that and a pair of pliers is always how i extract stuck rj45's.

 

[old-wiz]

I was thinking maybe the clip had broken off, but if that's the case what's holding it in place?

 

[TommyCo]

I was thinking maybe the clip had broken off, but if that's the case what's holding it in place?

This may or may not be the case here - the part of the clip which holds the connector in place is further down the lever meaning that if the clip snaps (or there is a defect) before this point - the connector will remain firmly in the socket.

With a small screwdriver, ensure that there isn't anything underneath the lever stopping it from lying flat against the body of the connector. Then (as already mentioned) carefully push the clip down with the flat of the screwdriver blade before slowly pulling the connector out. Use pliers for more grip if necessary.

 

[KyleHarrison]

Yeah.. im aware the clip, and im awar CAT6 and CAT5 are essentially the same in terms of size (i wasn't aware when i went in to buy a CAT5 and found they only sold the CAT6's) ive used plenty of CAT6 since then, and really this iMac is the only thing its stuck inside.
nothing is broken (yet) and to be honest i have zero idea what could be holding it in, ive never seen this happen before.


However, i kinda like the idea to crushing the plastic head of the CAT6 with some pliers until it slips out or comes out piece by piece (ill have to restrip it and put a new head on, but whoopdedoo)

I really just didn't want to do anything rash like, i dunno, break anything, unless its told to me by users who have experienced the same thing.


Ill go give this a shot, if that dont work ill take it to a Genius. Thanks guys!

 

[alphaod]

I've had jacks stuck in my port before. I found depressing the clip and wiggling the jack while pulling to work. Results may vary.