If your Game Boy Advance SP won't charge, check the charger first, then watch the charge light, then look at the charge port. If it charges but dies quickly, the battery has probably aged. A charging repair is £39, a new battery is £29, and a USB-C mod is £45.
First: is the battery swollen?
Before anything else, look at the battery cover on the back of the SP. If it's bulging, the case won't sit flat, or the cover is being pushed off, the battery may be swollen. Stop charging it and stop using it. A swollen or damaged lithium battery can't be posted with Royal Mail, so please get in touch before you send anything.
1. Check the charger
The SP uses an old-style Nintendo charge connector, not USB-C. Chargers get lost and replaced over the years, so it's worth checking which one you've got.
- Nintendo's own charger for the SP is the one to test with, if you have it. Check the cable for kinks, splits and a loose plug.
- Third-party chargers vary a lot in quality. Some work well, some don't deliver the right power, and some have plugs that fit loosely.
If you can, try a second charger. If the SP charges on one and not the other, the charger is the problem, not the console.
2. Watch the charge light
The SP has a separate charge light. According to Nintendo's SP manual, it glows orange while charging and turns off when charging is complete. The power light is green, and changes to red when the battery is low.
- No charge light at all: the power isn't reaching the console. That points to the charger, the charge port or a fault on the board.
- Charge light flickers or comes and goes: often a loose or worn charge port, or a loose plug on the charger.
- Charge light comes on, then goes off quickly, but the SP dies soon after: the battery may not be holding its charge.
3. Look at the charge port
A worn charge port is one of the common SP faults. Years of plugging in and pulling out loosen it. Signs:
- The plug feels loose or falls out easily.
- It only charges if you hold the plug at an angle.
- You can see dirt or fluff inside the port.
Look inside with a torch. Don't poke anything metal in there. If the port is loose or damaged, it needs repairing or replacing.
4. Think about the battery's age
The SP has a built-in rechargeable battery, and rechargeable batteries age. An SP battery that's been in use for many years may no longer take or hold much charge, even if everything else is fine.
Won't charge, or won't hold a charge?
These sound similar but point to different fixes.
- Won't charge (no charge light, or the battery level never rises): usually the charger, the port or the charging circuit.
- Charges but won't hold it (the light goes off as normal but the SP dies quickly, or the power light turns red soon after): usually the battery.
My guide to GBA SP battery replacement covers the second case in more detail.
Which repair do you need?
- SP charging repair: £39. For an SP that won't take a charge. I find the fault, such as a worn charge port, and fix it.
- SP battery replacement: £29. For an SP that charges but won't hold it.
- SP USB-C charging mod: £45. The old charge port is swapped for a USB-C port, so you can charge from a modern cable. It needs a battery that holds charge, so pair it with a new battery if yours is tired.
If you want a USB-C port, a new battery and an IPS screen, the SP full upgrade is £119, about £50 less than booking the three separately. Mods need a working console, so if the SP has another fault as well, that needs fixing first. Every service is on the Game Boy Advance and SP repair page, and all prices are in the repair cost guide.
Sending it in
Book and pay online, and the confirmation email gives the address and packing guidance. Take out any cartridge and pack the SP in a sturdy box. You pay the postage to send it to me, and the insured, tracked return is included. If the battery is swollen, don't post it; get in touch instead.
Every repair has a 12-month warranty, and it's no fix, no fee. If I can't fix it, I refund what you paid, less return postage.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a GBA SP take to charge?
Nintendo's manual gives about three hours for a full charge, depending on how much charge is left. If the light goes off much sooner and the SP dies quickly, the battery may be worn.
Is a third-party charger safe to use on an SP?
Quality varies. A well-made one should be fine, but a poor one may not deliver the right power or may fit loosely. If you have charging trouble, test with a different charger before assuming the console is at fault.
Does the USB-C mod replace the battery?
No. It swaps the charge port for USB-C. If your battery won't hold charge, it needs replacing too, which the full upgrade covers.
