Game Boy Button, Power Switch & Cartridge Slot Repair

£29

No fix, no fee · 12-month warranty · Insured, tracked returns

Reasons to book

  • A button is sticky, stiff or doesn't respond
  • You have to press a button hard for it to register
  • The power switch is loose, or power cuts out when you touch it
  • Games won't load, or only load after reseating them
  • The screen freezes or glitches when you move the cartridge

This repair covers three common faults that share the same kind of cause: dirt and wear.

Sticky or dead buttons are usually dirt or worn rubber contact pads underneath. I clean the buttons, the pads and the contacts on the board, and fit new rubber pads where the old ones are worn. A failing power switch can stop the console turning on or cause it to cut out, so I clean or replace the switch. If games won't load, the cause is often dirty cartridge contacts, but it can also be dirty or bent pins in the console's cartridge slot. I clean the slot and straighten or repair pins as needed.

Then I test every button, the switch and the slot with a game.

This service covers the original Game Boy (DMG-01), the Game Boy Pocket (MGB-001) and the Game Boy Color (CGB-001). The model code is on the label on the back.

Honest limits. If the console won't turn on because leaked batteries have corroded the contacts, that's the battery corrosion repair instead. I'll tell you if that's what I find before going ahead. If a game still won't load in a working slot, the fault is likely in the cartridge itself. And if a cartridge loads but won't keep a save, that's a cartridge battery issue: see the cartridge save battery replacement.

Before booking for a slot fault, clean the game's contacts with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud and try again. More on the other options is on the Game Boy & Game Boy Color repair page. No fix, no fee, and a 12-month warranty.

Game Boy Button, Power Switch & Cartridge Slot Repair

Frequently asked questions

Is it the console or the game that won't read?
Try a different game. If one loads and the other doesn't, it's likely the cartridge. If none load, clean the game's contacts with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton bud first, and if that doesn't help, it's likely the console's slot.
Should I send the game that won't load?
Only if it's one particular game. Try a different game first: if others load, the fault is more likely that game than the console. If you do send it, put it in a case, tape it inside the box, and mention it in your fault description. I test the cartridge slot with my own games.
Can you fix more than one of these faults at once?
Yes. Buttons, the power switch and the cartridge slot are all covered by this one service.

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About this service

How does your mail-in repair service work?
Three steps: book and pay for your repair online, post your item to me using the packing instructions I email you, and I repair it, test it, and send it back tracked. You'll get updates as it moves through each stage.
What is your no-fix-no-fee promise?
Payment is taken upfront at booking. If I can't fix your item, there's no repair fee — I refund what you paid, less £4.99 return postage to send it back to you. Assessment bookings work differently: the £4.99 covers return postage and comes off the repair if you go ahead, but isn't refunded if you decide not to or it can't be repaired.
Do your repairs come with a warranty?
Yes. Every repair carries a 12-month workmanship warranty against the same fault returning. If it does, I'll put it right.
How long will my repair take?
Most repairs are completed within 3-6 working days of arrival, then posted back by tracked post. If a part needs ordering, I'll tell you as soon as I've diagnosed it and give you a realistic date. Diagnostic-led jobs take a little longer if I'm waiting on your approval of a quote.
How do I package my item safely to post it?
I send clear packing guidance when you book. In short: wrap the item well, use plenty of padding, and a sturdy box — the return leg is insured and tracked, and good packing on the way in protects your item too.
Where do I send my item?
Your postage address is included in the confirmation email after you book — you don't post anything until you've booked, so your item is always matched to your order.
Do you cover the whole UK?
Yes — I run a mail-in repair service, so you can send your item from anywhere in the UK. There's nothing local you need to find.
What if my item turns out to be unrepairable?
I'll tell you honestly and, where the fault allows, offer an alternative. If I can't fix it, there's no repair fee — I refund what you paid, less £4.99 return postage to send it back to you.