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Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement

Introduction

Follow this guide to replace, upgrade, or customize the buttons in your Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP.

This guide covers how to replace the action (A + B), shoulder (L + R), D‑pad, brightness, and Start/Select buttons, plus the ON/OFF power switch cover.

If you're completely re‑shelling your Game Boy, follow this guide.

The Game Boy Advance SP uses JIS screws. If you use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in JIS screws, you'll risk stripping them. iFixit's Phillips bits are designed to be compatible with JIS screws.

What you need

  1. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: step 1, image 1 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: step 1, image 2 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly: step 1, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the power switch to the OFF position and unplug any cables.

    • If you have a game cartridge in, remove it.

    Edit

  2. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the battery cover: step 2, image 1 of 2 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the battery cover: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to loosen the captive screw securing the battery cover.

    • You can try to use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping the screw. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.

    Edit

  3. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the edge of the cover near the screw and remove the cover.

    • During reassembly, hook the tabs on the bottom edge of the cover into their slots and lay the cover into place.

    Edit

  4. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 1 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 2 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the battery: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Use your finger to lift the battery by the tab on its left edge, then remove it.

    • During reassembly:

    • Never reuse a deformed or damaged battery—it's a fire hazard. Replace it with a new battery.

    • Your replacement battery may come with a plastic enclosure that slides over the battery.

    • Insert the edge of the battery with contacts at a slight downward angle—aligning the contacts with their prongs in the recess—and press the battery into place.

    Edit

  5. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the bottom shell: step 5, image 1 of 2 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the bottom shell: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Use a tri‑point Y0 screwdriver to remove the six screws securing the bottom shell:

    • Four 6.3 mm‑long recessed screws

    • Two 4.6 mm‑long screws

    Edit

  7. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the bottom shell straight up and remove it.

    Edit

  8. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Unclip the shoulder buttons: step 7, image 1 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Unclip the shoulder buttons: step 7, image 2 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Unclip the shoulder buttons: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • The shoulder buttons are located on the rear shell. They're made up of three parts—the plastic cover, a hinge pin, and a small spring.

    • Use the point of a spudger to push the spring arm out from under its clip.

    Edit

  9. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the shoulder buttons: step 8, image 1 of 2 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the shoulder buttons: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • The button’s three parts will likely fall out during removal—don’t worry, just set them aside for reassembly.

    • Lift the shoulder button straight up and off its hinge pin to remove it.

    • Repeat the process to remove the other shoulder button.

    • During reassembly, follow this guide to install the shoulder buttons.

    Edit

  10. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the power switch cover: step 9, image 1 of 2 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the power switch cover: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Use your fingers to lift and remove the power switch cover.

    • During reassembly:

    • Use your fingers to put the power switch cover (notched side up) into place so the cutout goes around the actual switch.

    • Gently slide the cover back and forth to make sure it's positioned properly and moving the switch.

    • If the switch isn't properly in its cutout, you won't be able to power on your Game Boy.

    Edit

  11. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the motherboard screws: step 10, image 1 of 2 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the motherboard screws: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Use a JIS 00 screwdriver to remove the three 4.1 mm‑long screws securing the motherboard.

    Edit

  12. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Prop up the motherboard: step 11, image 1 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Prop up the motherboard: step 11, image 2 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Prop up the motherboard: step 11, image 3 of 3

    • Place a sturdy object such as a stack of books or tool case along the edge of your Game Boy with the hinges.

    • Use your fingers to gently flip the motherboard over the hinges and prop it up.

    Edit

  13. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the silicone pads: step 12, image 1 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the silicone pads: step 12, image 2 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the silicone pads: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the four silicone pads covering the buttons (A and B, D‑pad, brightness, and Start/Select).

    • If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot on the motherboard.

    Edit

  14. Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the buttons: step 13, image 1 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the buttons: step 13, image 2 of 3 Nintendo Game Boy Advance SP Buttons Replacement, Remove the buttons: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the buttons (A and B, D‑pad, brightness, and Start/Select).

    • When re‑inserting the action buttons, note that each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our Answers Community for troubleshooting help.

13 other people completed this guide.

Author

with 10 other contributors

Spencer Day

Member since: 09/14/22

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5 Guide Comments

Hi,

How do I fix my SP Brighter when A and B buttons are simultaneously pressed, the system turns off? Please Help! Thank you in advance!

Jikan - Reply

there is most likely a crack in the mother board or the battery has too much pressure placed onto it

you can fix this by changing the position of the battery and putting something to stop it from moving around so it fits tightly

@

Taahaco 2005 - Reply

HI there! My problem is that I have to press the button A harder for the action to be registered, how can I fix that?

アラン - Reply

The L and R buttons done work, they go in perfectly fine but would it be the 2 buttons under them that aren't working? If so then how would I remove and replace them safely

Topi2756 - Reply

The buttons L and R don't work, they go in fine so I'm thinking that it's the buttons on the inside that are damaged. If that is the case then how would I remove and replace them safely?

Topi2756 - Reply

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