# Unplugging this cord

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 4, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036 "2021-08-04T17:18:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036/1 "2021-08-04T17:18:51Z")

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In anticipation of getting a new printer, I’m uninstalling my old one. But no matter what I do, I can’t get this connector unplugged. I’ve tried just yanking it, I’ve tried squeezing those two “wings” while pulling, nothing seems to work. Both ends are the same. If all else fails, I’m ready to simply cut the cord.

[https://imgur.com/a/fLNgdxl](https://imgur.com/a/fLNgdxl)

(My new printer will be Bluetooth.)

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**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036/2 "2021-08-04T17:20:58Z")

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In between the two ‘wings’ is a small clear plastic tab. You need to press that.

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036/3 "2021-08-04T17:21:28Z")

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That is a RJ-45 Cable, it works like a Phone cord. Push the plastic tab between the “wings”.

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**Author:** ![Kzbre5m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kzbre5m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kzbre5m)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036/4 "2021-08-04T18:41:04Z")

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More specifically, push that little tab towards the wire. Not down into the machine. It is a pain. I eventually just snapped it off my laptop for my office as I was disconnecting it every night to take home.

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**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036/5 "2021-08-04T19:50:37Z")

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It’s hard to tell but it looks like the little tab that needs to be pushed down may be broken off. I had a network cable like that. Might need to stick a very small screwdriver in there to push the tab down and then pull the cable free.

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**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036/6 "2021-08-04T20:53:37Z")

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A small screwdriver or even a good size needle will work when the tab is broken.

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [August 4, 2021, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unplugging-this-cord/948036/7 "2021-08-04T23:17:24Z")

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Got it, guys. Thanks so much.