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How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge

Introduction

A guide on how to place a game into the cartridge reader, also for troubleshooting non-loading games.

  1. How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge, How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • First obtain a cartridge. This is where games for the Game Boy are located.

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  2. How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Place cartridge into cartridge reader slot on the back of the Game Boy system.

    • The game graphic should be facing towards you when you place the cartridge into the reader slot.

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  4. How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge: step 3, image 1 of 2 How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Push down until the game "locks" into place, and the top of the game is a small amount beneath the top of the system.

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  5. How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • If game does not load when the system is turned on, turn off system and remove cartridge.

    • Remove cartridge by placing thumb on the outside of the cartridge near the indentation and pushing up. Dislodging the cartridge from the cartridge reader.

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  6. How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge: step 5, image 1 of 2 How to clean a Game Boy Cartridge: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Apply some air into the cartridge bottom and into the cartridge reader itself.

    • Reinsert cartridge and try again.

    • If problem still persists, an internal problem may be the culprit.

    Edit

    Please don't blow in it.

    Use compressed air, or clean the pins with 90+% isopropyl alcohol.

    Harley - Reply

Conclusion

To play another game, remove cartridge and place new one in cartridge reader.

17 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 4 other contributors

Andrew Tramposch

Member since: 06/24/10

2,243 Reputation

6 Guides authored

Badges: 17

+14 more badges

Team

Cal Poly, Team 3-2, Johann Summer 2010 Member of Cal Poly, Team 3-2, Johann Summer 2010

CPSU-JOHANN-R10S3G2

3 Members

34 Guides authored

5 Comments

Step one: blow into the game

Bry W - Reply

This guide is completely unhelpful with how to clean a GameBoy game.

It would be better to refer to these videos on how to clean old game cartridges:

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4SCpHgW...

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ej2Y2ch...

Ervin - Reply

Thanks Ervin!

Omar Jimenez -

Nothing like a good ol’ blow job to get those old cartridges feeling new again.

Igor Kolosha - Reply

my copy of frogger 2 still wont work

mail jack - Reply

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