Nintendo 64 Game Screen Not Displaying Properly
The power light is on but the television screen is black, flashing or does not look right when turned on
It's Dirty
Most Nintendo 64 problems can be solved by cleaning the game cartridge or by cleaning the cartridge slot. If neither of these solutions work, you will need to inspect the pins that connect the cartridge slot to the motherboard to see if there are any broken connections.
Reseat the Jumper or RAM pack
The Nintendo 64 won't boot all the way without a Jumper or RAM pack properly installed. Open the little cover on top of the console, pull the expansion pack out a bit (first two steps) and then pop it back in.
Problem with RF or AV Cables
If cleaning the system does not fix the problem there may be an issue with the RF or AV cable hookup to your television. Verify that the cables are hooked up properly. Also verify your television's compatibility with the type of cables you are using. If this yields no answers, swap the cables with another working set of cables to see if this fixes the problem.
If the problem persists, there may be a circuit problem located on the motherboard. To fix these, you will need to repair the audio video port.
Red Light Doesn't Turn On
The red LED Nintendo 64 light on the front of the console does not light up when the console is powered on
Problem with the LED bulb
Fortunately, the LED light should not affect the functionality of the system, so if it is broken the console is still functional. However, if you care about the cosmetics of your system, you should simply replace the bulb.
Nintendo 64 Won't Turn On
Turning the power on yields no results
Problem with Power Cord
A bad power cord could be the cause of your Nintendo 64 not turning on. Verify it is hooked up properly, then swap the cord with another working power cord to see if it fixes the problem.
Bad circuit connection from power cord to motherboard
There may be circuit connections that are misaligned or completely detached. To fix this, you will need to repair the power connections.
Bad Motherboard
If your console does not respond in any way when the power is switched on it may need a new motherboard. Most of the unit's parts are attached to the motherboard, so replacing should provide a good all around fix.
Controller is Not Working
The controller is either unresponsive or half-responsive
Malfunctioning button(s)
The problem with the controller may be caused by one or more non-working buttons. You may need to open the controller and clean the affected button.
If this does not solve the problem, you will need to check the contact points between the controller and the motherboard and replace them if necessary.
None of the Above
If none of the above remedies the problem with your Nintendo 64 your best bet is to post a question in our Answers forum. If worst comes to worst, the controller can be found for a very reasonable price online, and your old controller can be saved for spare parts, or responsibly recycled.
Team
Cal Poly, Team 5-4, Regan Fall 2009 Member of Cal Poly, Team 5-4, Regan Fall 2009
CPSU-REGAN-F09S5G4
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15 Guides authored
48 Comments
hey what id the conecters are rusty
PIE NATION - Reply
What makes a Nintendo blink on and off when you turn it on?
mary bolin - Reply
Put a Killer Instinct II Gold cart into a working system and got no video or sound out. Put a working Turok cart in and also got nothing. Put my backup system on and tried the Turok. It worked as expected. Tried the Killer Instinct cart, got nothing and now I have two down systems. I didn't think a cart could kill a console, but apparently it can. I opened the cart and there is no evidence of tampering inside (no obvious shorts, so foul play is out).
Jeff Sockwell - Reply
I picked up a copy of killer instinct gold today and was getting the same black screen. I took it apart inspected it. Cleaned it and still nothing. Just out of curiosity I put the game back in. I turned it on and still a black screen but then I removed my rumble pak from the back of my controller and the game started right up. I put the rumble pak back in the controller and restarted my console and again black screen. Once again I removed the rumble pak and the game started right up. It starts right up anytime there isn't a memory card or rumble pak connected to the controller. Hope this helped.
Josh kennedy -
My cartridge doesn't connect to the n64. How do I fix this?
Sergio Hernández Martín - Reply
Why do I get random purple static on my tv?
knappchelsea27 - Reply
The N64 red light turns on and I connected the cables to my tv correctly but it still isn’t picking up on my tv it doesn’t even show the AV connection what could be wrong ? I use to play on this tv all the time now what happened!?
Sara - Reply
i also play on my tv to but when i try to play games like legend of zelda oot nothing i cant nothing i tried every thing
Darryl Corkum-St. Michel -
I'm having a strange issue with my N64.
I go into one of my games and while I'm on a main menu everything is fine. Controls are responsive and sound and graphics are fine as usual.
But the second I start playing some invisible force seems to start pulling my character in a certain direction. I've tried several flying games and it pulls them either up or down and holds them like that. If I play a third person one like Banjo-Kazooie, it pushes them either towards the camera or against it.
All the action buttons work in each game. But I can't stop my character from going in the direction they seem to be dragged towards.
I'm not sure what could be wrong with my system.
jleochner - Reply
Let your analog stick sit neutral, then hit L+R and start to reset your controllers dead zone.
dolphins-are-the-devils-work -
My red light comes on, but my tv still says No Input Detected.
I got a Gamebit and cleaned all contacts I could find (game, game slot, expansion pack, exp pack slot, av cable slot) with alcohol and ultra duster. Still nothing.
What is the next most possible issue? Should I purchase a new expansion pack?
I’m pulling my hair out over here! Thanks in advance.
Tyler - Reply
My power supply buzzes and my n64 will not turn on, why is that?
karan49ers - Reply
So when I first turn on my system and start playing Donkey Kong 64 everything is fine. As I keep playing the joystick will pull my character in a certain direction, it starts very slowly and progresses the longer I play and gets WAY worse. And once I reset the N64 Console everything is fine and back to normal? Anybody know what the issue is here? It’s really annoying I have to keep stoping and saving my games and resetting the entire console to get it back to normal. Please help
Zack Segatto - Reply
Hey, my console isn't working.. I've cleaned it, and I plugged it in correctly, the light comes on, but it doesn't show up on the screen. tried different games, turning off and on again.. nothing. I took it in to my local store and the man tried out a game and it worked. okay.. I take it back home and the problem occurs AGAIN. I KNOW it's not the TV because it's worked on it before. I'm so frustrated..
Rebekah - Reply
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-qua...
this is what you want. although you will need to go under the hood and have a soldering iron handy. remove some screws here and there, and remove the metal around the n64 slot.
or just just bend the metal pins slowly,
here’s a video i used to repair my gameshark. v3.3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJuKsbvr...
Hope this solves your problem.
isaiah bellamy (masta ike) - Reply
On my Nintendo 64 I forgot to grab my heart container after beating the boss to get the zora princess back. I got out of the mouth of jabu jabu but I don't see the princess and that means I can't get the last gem I need. I'm sorta freaking out tbh, I need some help
Ally Drowned - Reply
The color from my N64 games is gone the picture is all black and white how do I fix this?
Justin Walsh - 06/25/19
jkwalsh135 - Reply
So my n64 is working and connecting on my screen. I’m playing tony hawk pro skater and the video loads as normal. But out of nowhere my screen is glitching and my screen is showing two games. Like 3/4 of the screen is showing like normal but the other 1/4 is showing the game but only 3/4ths of it. I’m very confused. This is happening on every game. I’ve tried many such as ocarina of time, majoras mask, and many more. I’ve tried many things such as cleaning it and using different cords. It may be my TV. Any suggestions?
Ray - Reply
So essentially if you try all the steps above and find yourself at non of the above what their saying is your shitt is junk an you should probably get rid of it lol.
lastchance2008 - Reply
I've been,having a persistent issue with my console. I have three and none of them seem to want to work. The power is fine but I get no video or audio. I've replaced the AV cords, I've bought every adapter there is and still nothing. Any suggestions on what could be causing all three to not work and how to fix the problem?
Blake Ortmeier - Reply
When I unplug my power adapter from the wall socket wait 30 seconds plug it back in the red light flashes once what does this mean
psvitaboy33 - Reply
I’m having the same problem! It flashes once, then goes off. I’m gonna try another power supply and see what happens.
djebner88 -
Dropped my Nintendo 64 (on ACCIDENT) now it won’t work is it broke (or is it just cooling down?)
Nintendo64boy - Reply
Depends on how high you dropped it and what angle did it receive impact.
TheTopRepairGuy -
Hi. When I first plugged my 64 up the power cord worked. Now it does not work all a sudden after I plugged it up to my old jump box to charge it over night. Is it my power cord that's messed up now or what?
Richard Snyder - Reply
Hi there just wanted to know if anyone else has this problem,all my n64 games work fine on my smart tv apart from mario64 it comes on but flashes,the game is running fine in the back ground and tryied another mario64 and that does it to any ideas
Peter - Reply
Tv don't recognize my 64 console. Tried 2 different TVs
torrin12345 - Reply
I have all new wires and made sure they are compatible with my Tv. When you turn on the n64 the power light comes on but no sound or visual. We have tried multiple cords so I know that’s not it.
Cory Moreland - Reply
Nintendo 64 I put it to my TV but I getting no signal only blue screen
thomasskilandis - Reply
My Nintendo isnt working…it turns on but my tv doesnt get a signal and I can't play any of my games how do I fix this?
Benny Rempel - Reply
Well had trouble with game so I got some isotropy alcohol and clean the pins in the game or take the cover off and clean pins inside ok
thomasskilandis - Reply
Well get a hd cable to put in to nintendo you can get them on line for nintendo ok
thomasskilandis - Reply
My n64 game system won’t turn on I need help?
allisoncoverchuk25 - Reply
Bought a nintendo 64 and 14 games to go with it and 2 controllers off of marketplace But for some reason my controllers I don't understand Everything works but one controller likes to go and circles the other controller everything works except the joystick just seems to be froze I think I might try and just buy a brand new controller and see if that fixes the problem if not then maybe a new console It sucks because I've already got $365 in everything
Joshua Weems - Reply
And yes I have tried holding the L + R button and the start button to try to restart both controllers but that did not work
Joshua Weems - Reply
Either way I'm not giving up on it I think it's really cool they came out with a m classic For nando 64 including cordless controls and HDMI cables I did not see that coming in the mid and light nineties I can't wait till I get everything set up just right Because now instead of having a TV with a brain on the back lol I am rocking a 55" Samsung Qled
Joshua Weems - Reply
Controller surfing. 3 brand new controllers all doing the same thing when I start up. The issue is definitely with the system and not the controllers. Any solutions?
Cody Fortner - Reply
my n64s video is not showing up all there is is a little flicker on the screen and I have tried everything I am even running on a tube tv
Asriel Dreemurr - Reply
my problem is that i cant get work cuz when i turn it on it shows a colour but the game wont load it just go to black screen and nothing works how do i fix dat??
Darryl Corkum-St. Michel - Reply
is it my controller
Darryl Corkum-St. Michel - Reply
Why is it for Perfect Dark it appears dark then on both of my N64’s I have cleaned the game pack out with Qu tips and rubbing alcohol and there is no save battery at all in it is it because a parts is partly broken in the game pack? So I had bought another one and it works fine perfectly.
Colleen - Reply
Hi I have no mercy and wrestle mania. No mercy keeps jumping to opening credits when I try to start playing the game and wrestle mania resets after 30 mins or so any idea?
phil-connell - Reply
I have N64 has video no sound cleaned it but still no sound
James Carlson - Reply
My 64 is running games fine but after 10 minutes or so it either restarts game or screen goes black. The red light stays on whole time its in on position, like normal.
SinkingNut - Reply
I have two games but it runs well but i bought another 2 games now it dosent work.(the old carts still works)
YJ C - Reply
I had a very weird problem with my Nintendo 64. When plugged into RF I would get a little static on screen, the RF cord was fine. But, when plugged into composite video would be fine, I found out that my power brick was slowly going bad and got a new one. I'm posting this here if anyone has a similar problem, If you have little hints of static dots, it might be time to replace the power brick, Thank you.
TheTopRepairGuy - Reply
What do you do when the games load infrequently on your n64 and instantly load at other times? Any ideas?
Caroline Huizar - Reply
@carolinehuizar Some things I would try first is to check the pins on the cartridges that are problematic.
Try cleaning the pins on the console and the cartridges, But mostly I'd open up your games that are causing you problems, check for broken connections to pins or chips, best to use 91% Isopropyl Alcohol and tooth brush to clean the board. I hope this'll help you out.
TheTopRepairGuy - Reply