Connector with stiffeners

Various aspects of connectors with stiffeners are described. In one example, an electrical connector includes a housing and a wafer assembly positioned within the housing. The housing includes a stiffener, and the wafer assembly includes a terminal row and a cable alignment block. The cable alignment block is seated in the housing over the stiffener. In other aspects, the cable alignment block includes a wafer alignment stake, the stiffener includes a wafer interlock aperture, and the wafer alignment stake extends through the wafer interlock aperture. Because the housing is designed to support the wafer assembly in a position with relative precision, any deformation of the housing may result in an unexpected and unwanted loss of signal coupling integrity. The stiffener helps to reinforce the housing and prevent it from bending or deforming.