Vertical lines or missing columns on an original Game Boy screen come from the ribbon connection between the screen glass and the board. Carefully reheating that connection often brings the lines back, though it can't be promised in every case. My vertical lines repair is £39, and if the glass connection itself has failed, a replacement screen or a backlit IPS mod are the options.
What the fault looks like
This is an original Game Boy (DMG-01) fault. You'll usually notice one of these:
- Thin vertical lines that stay blank whatever the game is showing.
- Whole columns of the picture missing, so sprites seem to disappear as they cross a band of the screen.
- Lines that come and go, sometimes when you press on the front or when the console warms up.
The rest of the console usually works as normal: sound, buttons and games are all fine. It's only the picture that's affected.
What causes it
The screen glass is joined to the board by a thin ribbon connection along its edge. Each column of the display relies on its own tiny contact in that joint. Over the decades, the bond can weaken, and when a contact loses its connection, the column it drives goes blank. That's why the lines are always straight and vertical, and why they sit in the same place whatever game you play.
What reheating does
The repair is a careful reheat of that ribbon connection, using controlled heat and pressure so the contacts bond to the glass again. When it works, the missing columns come back.
It's delicate work. Too little heat and nothing changes; too much, or pressure in the wrong place, and the ribbon or the glass can be damaged. It takes patience and the right tools, and I test the screen on my bench afterwards.
Why it can't be promised
Reheating often brings the lines back, but not in every case. If the connection on the glass itself has failed, heat won't restore it. And because this is a joint that has already weakened with age, I can't promise the lines won't return in the future, even when the repair works. Anyone who does promise that is telling you more than the hardware allows.
The risks of doing it yourself
There are guides online for heating the ribbon with a soldering iron or similar. Some people get a result, but it's easy to make things worse:
- Too much heat can melt the ribbon or lift it away from the glass completely.
- Pressing too hard can crack the glass.
- Heat in the wrong spot can damage the plastic around the screen.
Once the ribbon is damaged, the screen can't be saved by reheating, and you're into a replacement screen or a mod. If you want to keep your original screen, it's worth having it done carefully the first time.
The £39 repair
The original Game Boy vertical lines repair covers the careful reheat of the ribbon connection and testing afterwards. It comes with a 12-month warranty on the work, and it's no fix, no fee: if the lines don't come back, you don't pay for the repair. I refund what you paid, less return postage, and we can talk about the alternatives.
The alternatives
If the glass connection has failed, or you'd rather not rely on a joint that has already weakened, there are two routes:
- A replacement screen. This keeps the original look, with no backlight. Get in touch and I'll let you know what's possible for your console.
- A backlit IPS mod (£95). This replaces the old screen and its ribbon with a modern backlit IPS panel (IPS is the type of display used in most phones: bright, clear and easy to read from an angle). It does away with the ribbon fault altogether and lets you play without a lamp. Most kits have an on-screen menu, often called an OSD, for brightness and palettes. You can book it as the original Game Boy backlit IPS mod.
Mods can't be undone easily. If your Game Boy is rare or boxed, a mod may reduce its value to collectors, so the reheat is worth trying first. If you're unsure, my honest take on the backlight mod may help you decide.
Sending it in
Book and pay online, and the confirmation email gives you the address and packing guidance. Take out the batteries and any cartridge, and pack it in a sturdy box. You pay the postage to me; the insured, tracked return is included. All the Game Boy prices are on the Game Boy and Game Boy Color repairs page.
Frequently asked questions
Does this fault affect the Game Boy Color or Pocket?
This repair is for the original Game Boy, where the screen ribbon is the known weak point. If another model shows lines, get in touch and describe what you're seeing.
Will the lines come back after the repair?
They may. The repair often brings the lines back, but the joint has already weakened with age, so I can't promise they won't return.
What happens if reheating doesn't work?
You don't pay the repair fee. I refund what you paid, less return postage, and the options are then a replacement screen or a backlit IPS mod.
