GameCube won't turn on
GameCube does not power up
Power Cord Problems
If your power cord is plugged in but the GameCube will not power up, unplug the power cord from the back of the GameCube. Check the port to see if in is dusty or dirty. If it is, gently blow on the area to remove the dust and replug in the power cord.
Over Heating
If the GameCube will not turn on, check on the left and right sides to see if the fan port is clogged. On the sides there is a gridded square that allows air to flow through the console to cool it. If the port is covered with dust you may just need to clean out the port to allow cool air to flow through the console again. You may need to repair or clean the fan. Also, to decrease the chances of this problem happening again, try to keep your GameCube in an open location where it will not easily suck in dust.
Optical Drive Failure
If none of the above options work then your Optical Drive may have malfunctioned. The optical drive is the drive that reads the disc and transmits the images to your TV. If your GameCube will not turn on, your optical drive may have malfunctioned. You will need to buy a new optical drive and replace it. To replace the drive follow the Replacing the Optical Drive Guide.
Motherboard Failure
If none of the problems above seem to fix your GameCube, it may be a Motherboard malfunction. In Nintendo Products this problem is extremely rare so be sure that none of the solutions above work before you try this. You will need to buy a new Motherboard and replace your old one, following Replacing the GameCube Motherboard Guide.
GameCube Turns on but no Picture Appears
The GameCube turns on but your TV screen stays Black (or Blue)
Dirty Laser Lens
Open the disc drive and remove the disc. The laser lens is located in the back, and is mounted along a track. You should see a glass bulb, which is the laser lens. DO NOT TOUCH THE LENS. If the bulb looks dirty or smudged the laser cannot read the disc and no picture will appear on your TV. Get a cue tip and gently clean off the lens with rubbing alcohol.
Laser Failure
If the lens looks clean, you may have a problem with your laser. As GameCubes get older their ability to read discs decreases. You will have to follow The Turning Up the Laser Power Guide, to open your GameCube up and turn up the laser's power, which will increase its ability to read discs.
Optical Drive Failure
If none of the above options work then your Optical Drive may have malfunctioned. The optical drive is the drive that reads the disc and transmits the images to your TV. If your GameCube will not turn on, your optical drive may have malfunctioned. You will need to buy a new optical drive and replace it. To replace the drive follow the Replacing the Optical Drive Guide.
GameCube turns on but goes Straight to the Memory Card Screen
The GameCube turns on but the Memory Card Screen Appears and the Game will not start
Dirty Laser Lens
Open the disc drive and remove the disc. The laser lens is located in the back, and is mounted along a track. You should see a glass bulb, which is the laser lens. DO NOT TOUCH THE LENS. If the bulb looks dirty or smudged the laser cannot read the disc and no picture will appear on your TV. Get a cue tip and gently clean off the lens with rubbing alcohol.
Laser Failure
If the lens looks clean, you may have a problem with your laser. As GameCubes get older their ability to read discs decreases. You will have to follow The Turning Up the Laser Power Guide, to open your GameCube up and turn up the laser's power, which will increase its ability to read discs.
GameCube Turns on Briefly
Your GameCube turns on but will not stay on
Over Heating
If the GameCube will not stay turned on, check on the left and right sides to see if the fan port is clogged. On the sides there is a gridded square that allows air to flow through the console to cool it. If the port is covered with dust you may just need to clean out the port to allow cool air to flow through the console again. You may need to repair or clean the fan. To decrease the chances of this problem happening again try to keep your GameCube in a open location where it will not easily suck in dust.
GameCube Does Not Read Discs
(Ordered in order of most accessible to least accessible. This is operating under the assumption that you have a confirmed working GameCube disc to test the system with.)
Laser Lens is dirty
Open the system’s disc drive lid when the system is off, and clean off the laser lens with a q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
Potentiometer
The potentiometer, which controls the power going to the optical drive laser, may be incorrectly adjusted. Refer to The Turning Up the Laser Power Guide
Laser Lens assembly needs to be replaced
With age, the laser lens can be worn down from use, and may need to be replaced. Refer to The Turning Up the Laser Power Guide for the process of replacing this part.
Capacitors on the disc drive board may need replacing
If an error message appears when you insert a clean disc, or none of the above worked to fix your issue, the issue may rest in the capacitors of the disc drive’s motherboard. The disc drive has an independent motherboard from the rest of the system, and if the capacitors on it are dead or dying, that will cause voltage issues for the disc drive system, which in turn will cause it to incorrectly read discs. Refer to
for a tutorial. Keep in mind that you will need soldering equipment for this solution.
Team
Cal Poly, Team 6-2, Maness Fall 2009 Member of Cal Poly, Team 6-2, Maness Fall 2009
CPSU-MANESS-F09S6G2
4 Members
45 Guides authored
49 Comments
Gamecube fan spins but light doesn't comes on and game disc doesn't spin
dreamboyrich - Reply
Did you figure it out? I have the same problem
ivan22f -
I had this problem, and now my Gamecube won't turn on at all
LMSFan11 -
https://www.instructables.com/id/Resurre...
Eric Schäfer -
Help please ?
dreamboyrich - Reply
Gamecube only turns on with the lid is open. Once it has been closed, the game shuts off. All the while the fan is still running. Help!!! I wish I could send a video.
Derica Moreno - Reply
Hmm, no clue. I've never heard of such a problem. To be honest it sounds like that Gamecube that you have is very worn out, so the best option is to purchase another system. It will most likely cost you around <$40 in total for a good high quality used Gamecube.
I hope you figure out what's wrong, because if you do, you might be able to order parts online and home-repair your console.
SquidCake -
Just recently purchased a second hand GameCube but doesn't work properly.
The GameCube fires up and you can hear the disk loading but nothing comes up on the screen whatsoever! No Nintendo title, nothing! I've bought two new scart cables but had no luck. I've tried the net for a solution but doesn't look as though it's a common problem. Any advice?
lewispaulsmart - Reply
That's exactly whats happening to me... This is awful and if You figure it out will you email me (sk8teboard11@gmail.com)
GavinJohns -
You could send it in for repairs, but it would save tons of money if you could figure out what part of the hardware projects images onto the screen, order replacement parts online, and home-repair it. As for the instructions to do said repairs, I can't offer any help except for you to keep looking.
SquidCake -
My GameCube got knocked over my table and fell on the floor, and when I turn it on now it's slightly delayed and skips most of the GameCube intro when you turn it on but is still full functional, and on top of that, it makes a loud buzzing noise whenever it is turned on, can I get any help as to how to fix this?
ericgamer18 - Reply
You might have to purchase repair parts for it, or if you can't repair a system at home, then buy a pre-owned (preferably replacement) Gamecube console.
SquidCake -
What if my game will play for certain part of the game? I'm playing Harvest moon and it won't let me sleep to the next year or wait it out until 12 after it reaches 12 it shuts the screen off and screeches with the audio... What do I do? Is it the disc or something else? It feels like it doesn't have anymore information on it somehow
shannybear103please - Reply
It's most likely the disc. The only thing you can do is buy another copy of the same game, unless you somehow have an expensive machine that writes microscopic code onto discs (yes, some people are lucky enough to have their own).
SquidCake -
The power went out when the gamecube was turned on. When the power came back the gamecube didn't turn on and isn't turning back on. Any ideas on what I could do?
joshuarubite - Reply
Was it during a thunderstorm?
SquidCake -
what are the options of fixing it without use of a special screwdriver?
Longshot 534 - Reply
I'm afraid that the only other option would be to purchase a new system. Unless you were to bring it in for repairs, but I'm positive that Gamecubes are a lot cheaper when bought from the right users/websites.
SquidCake -
Meu game cube liga ler o jogo e em seguida trava no começo. Acho que defeito na placa da leitura. Alguem pode me ajudar
Danilo Dicas de suspençao - Reply
I have an original Japanese gamecube which is modded (red switch on back) to also play US games. It works fine with the default A/V composite cable, but I also have the (now expensive and rare) component cable. It has NEVER worked with the component cable. I power it on, the fan comes on and the power light flashes once and goes off. The disk does not spin. No picture. I've always assumed it was because of the GC's mod - but I don't know. Any suggestions?
ccampbell1 - Reply
The gamecube turns on fine and it plays the first images of the disc, for example the copyrights of crazy taxi, but it doesnt go on, it freezes that image. Do you know what can i do?
Galdab - Reply
My controller responds correctly when in the system menu. The problem is when I load the game(pokemon colossuem). When on the game’s menu(not system menu) the controller does not work. The first port of the gamecube does not work the other three do. I have no other game at the time to test if its the game that doesnt work.
Hugh - Reply
my gamecube turn on ,cooller spin and laser work ,but no sound and black screen ,,i change av cable but not fix ,any ideas?
superandmen - Reply
my gamecupe ,power on but not have sound and image ,only black screen , say “no video” in tv,bu cooler spin ,led tur on and laser work ,i change cable av but not fix, any ideas???
superandmen - Reply
The gamecube works, but the laser gets stuck in the same position. The only way to make it work is to move the laser before starting it and hopeing it works. It's gotten so bad, that games dont work for longer than 5 minutes. Is there any way to fix?
OmarGets Spam - Reply
My gamecube controller doesn’t work when im in game
heshyan - Reply
I just bought a refurbished gamecube from gamestop and it runs for a while and then it will suddenly go to a black screen. The fan and everything still runs but the red light turns off. I’m not sure if its because its over heating or because its on an enclosed area and not in an open space.
Luke - Reply
its probly because its in a closed area, move it out every time you play (might work, not positive)
spicy avacado -
my screen turned green (like flasshyish) so this didnt help very at all
spicy avacado - Reply
I need help because my game cube laser seems to keep forcing itself into the plastic and after the second bump it gives up. There is not way that could be laser and I am hoping that it does not have to do with the smaller batteries inside. pls help
Matt Clark - Reply
For some reason, only my Cube’s fan turns on, and nothing else turns on. Not the light, nothing. Could anyone help?
TheMarioFox Channel - Reply
Hmmm maybe you should check the ribbon cables or more importantly look into the power supply. If you look closely the fan is directly powered from the ac adapter port so the ac adapter is working right. Well the red and black cables should power everything else so the could be an issue with power supply or power reaching the system. Though one question I would ask is how did it stop working? did it fail during a lightening strike with no surge protector or did you use one of the hdmi gamecube accessories and moved it too much and accidentally fry your switch?
Matt Clark -
Hello,
I have attempted to repair a gamecube myself and ran into a game read issue myself. After looking around I decided to get invasive and stripped to its basic parts. After days of examining it there was nothing wrong except for the laser. I have a hunch that the laser lens was toast so I tried cleaning it. The laser still ran basic protocol and stopped after three zips. After a few months I decided to buy a new laser and replace it and after fiddling with it time and time again it is in working order again. [TIP NO1 try color coding screws with some kind of paint of colored marker or you will lose a lot of screws like I have. NO2 Do NOT unscrew the motors because it is almost impossible to screw it back again. NO3 Pay plenty of attention but be sure to have a video or song playlist running if you have to get invasive. Other then that you are all set and I wish everyone good luck
Matt Clark - Reply
Hello,
So I have been trying to diagnose what has happened to my gamecube and have not had much luck. The system will read the disc, it plays the opening music but there is no sound. I have already done the obvious in checking the cables and I was curious if it could be anything else. Any information that might lead towards the fixing of a keeper of childhood memories would be appreciated.
Cole - Reply
I have Pokémon XD Gale of Darkness, and it plays fine with my normal authentic GameCube controller, but with the wireless ones you can’t go down with the analog stick and you have to play with the d-pad. I tried resetting the controller but the problem persists. Any suggestions?
Nathan Conkling - Reply
I recently got a gamecube. I got a game (Spy hunter) to test it out to see if the gamecube works. I can load everything fine but when I get to loading a level, it says my gamecube cannot read the disc. Know any fixes and which is broken the disc or gamecube?
RedtheFox 139 - Reply
I thinks its just the disc beacuse I can load everything but the levels
RedtheFox 139 -
My GameCube works and plays games however at random times the game will just stop and it goes to a black screen and the typical issue screen comes up. It happens sometimes in RE4 where I go to save and when I switch to the save screen it will go black, when I’m in the middle of a cutscene, or just walking with no enemies around.
Landon Martin - Reply
The disk is in perfect condition. Also it was recently put in a box with other consoles so I could move it since I had floors being replaced. Still it was on top of a PS4 and all that was on top of it was controlled and I took good care of it.
Landon Martin -
Hey!
I’ve been playing Harvest Moon on my GameCube for a few weeks and today I heard a loud pop from the system. The system was on for too long, I’d guess, so I’d like to fix it. The LED on the top of the system doesn’t shine as brightly and the third-party memory card that I use doesn’t show its usual light when the console is on. Nothing is output to the TV screen, and I’m a bit worried.
What went wrong and how can I fix it? Thank you!
Todd Carnes - Reply
GameCube turns on..but Picture is not visible on TV. I am having one doubt. Whether the laser light lights up while we open to put the CD??
Saaimanisha S - Reply
I have a malfunctioning gamecube that turns on, fan is running, but the drive is NOT running and I get no picture.
I replaced the drive with a working one from my other gamecube, but the new drive won’t move in the defective gamecube either.
Could there be an issue with the power supply?
TheNex - Reply
Having motherboard issues. I have narrowed down the malfunction to the motherboard. still trying to figure out why it wont power the drive. Any suggestions besides replacing the board would help.
mannyman03 - Reply
Okay so I have a bit of a special case the one the one I use I use it mainly with my game boy player when my wife , mother and I moved to a different state since then it has this thing were these fuzzy bars keep moving up the screen I can see the screen just fine but the fuzzy bars are quite annoying the optic reader seems okay.
The game cube did have a chip or two when I got it out of storage is when the issue happened could I have messed up the motherboard?
Adam - Reply
My GameCube comes on programs but now a Chinese writing is blocking it read writing is blocking in my game won't turn on it won't come on
Josette Williams - Reply
My gamecube turns on. The light it on the disc spins but no sound or display have tried cable and TV with a good gamecube and no problems with it. What could it be?
Scott Gladman - Reply
Really weird one:
Everything on it works. I just opened it and put it back together doing a little bit of cleaning, now it works, but the light doesn't glow. Everything else is fine.
what did I do to my child
bloopymicrowave - Reply
no video from digital av out. analog works fine.
Thanks
murphybrown8@comcast.net
Chris
Chris Locke - Reply
My gamecube recognizes that there's memory cards in the slots, I can manage the memory cards by copying and erasing data, but the disc's won't recognize my memory card. Can anyone help?
Kelsey Mills - Reply