Game Boy Advance LCD Screen and Front Cover Replacement

Written By: Aldo Corona (and 8 other contributors)

Difficulty

Difficult

Steps

Time Required

20 - 30 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to replace your cracked or broken LCD screen or front case.

Take the battery cover off by releasing the locking tab and hinging the cover away.

We recommend you change the the screw head to a Phillips 1 so you don't strip the screw. (Something we experienced)

Remove the back panel by pulling away with one hand and the front secured in the other hand.
Removal of the back panel may cause shoulder buttons and side panels to come loose and fall off.

Remove left and right triggers by lifting and pulling them away from the system.
Do the same for side panels
For finicky or jammed triggers only. Adjust and correct triggers and reassemble. Most jammed triggers are caused by buttons misplaced or jammed in its enclosure.

Remove the gray On/Off Switch by pulling up and away from the unit. Replace with another switch if necessary.

Pull circuit board away from the front panel by pulling up at the bottom of the circuit board, keeping the top ribbon still connected.
Handle with care! The ribbon connecting the circuit board to the LCD screen can easily be damaged and will require replacement if broken.

Remove the rubber button pads from their pockets.
Remove the plastic buttons and the D-pad from beneath the rubber pads with tweezers or by hand.

Carefully note the brown colored locking bar that shims the ribbon cable in it's housing so it cannot slip.
Using a nylon stick (or some other ESD safe probe) gently push both sides of the locking bar up.
Now the ribbon cable should move freely. A careful prod using your nylon spudger should be able to free the cable. This should barely require any force at all. Otherwise, check that the locking bar is fully disengaged.

Use the spudger to lift the screen from the front panel. Place the spudger in the space directly left of the D-pad.
The screen and the front panel is connected by a black tape that could rip if not removed carefully.