Since HackRF Pro began shipping at the end of 2025, we have become aware of an ongoing issue with USB connectors on some units received by customers. Our engineering team has investigated further and discovered that the connector manufacturer changed tooling between our prototypes and full production, resulting in less reliable ground/shield contact. The next production round has started and we have corrected the issue by using a replacement part, so this issue should only affect units from the r1.2.1-p1 round.

If your HackRF Pro tends to lose USB connectivity easily when the USB cable is touched, first try a different cable. In many cases, unreliability is caused by the cable or by a combination of cable and connector. If the issue persists, you may want to try the relatively simple self-repair described below!

First, remove the lid from your HackRF Pro enclosure - if you haven’t done this before, we suggest taking a look at this video from Jared Boone. HackRF Pro’s case is a little easier to open than HackRF One’s and can typically be opened without tools.

Next, bend the connector’s external shell contacts inward with a small tool, such as a miniature screwdriver.

Exchanging units through the reseller you purchased your HackRF Pro from is also an option, but we cannot guarantee the new unit won’t have the same issue, since it could be from the same production run as the faulty one. If you are still interested in receiving a new unit, please contact the reseller you purchased your HackRF Pro from.

If you still have questions, are seeking advice, or would just like to join in on HackRF Pro and Great Scott Gadgets related discussion, we encourage you to join our Discord server!