Got a video games cartridge that doesnt work?

We’ve all had it happen, whether on our Philips Videopac, NES, MegaDrive or Nintendo 64. A video games cartridge that doesnt work. It happens to us collectors most frequently, we are after all, more likely to get hold of stuff that someones just pulled out of the loft after 20 years of doing nothing but gathering dust. But don’t fret. In my experience you can nearly always get that grimy old cartridge to work, so don’t go binning it just yet! The main cause is just natural oxidisation of the contacts, either on the cartridge itself, the cartridge slot on the console or in some cases both. In this article I will assume that you know the console is OK (by testing with a working cartridge) and it is only the cartridge at fault.

“Yeah, OK dude, but how do I get it to work?” I hear you cry.

If you are lucky…

If the oxidisation isn’t too bad, repeatedly inserting and removing the cartridge (with the power OFF!) will reinstate enough contact between cartridge and console to get your cartridge working again. Be patient and gentle, it might need doing for a few minutes before you bring life back to that old game and ramming it in won’t help but may just damage your console or game beyond repair.

If you weren’t lucky and this didn’t work then you need to clean the contacts.

Cleaning Step 1 – Give it a blow

Don’t ask me how or why this works. It just does. Especially with NES cartridges for some strange reason. Give the contacts a good short hard blow, trying very carefully not to transfer spittle into the cartridge while you do it. It may need to be done a few times but this really does work (sometimes).

Cleaning Step 2 – Alcohol

You will need to get some rubbing alcohol (90%+ alcohol if possible although 70% will do) and some cotton buds (q-tips to our American cousins).

Dip the cotton bud in the alcohol and gently rub along each contact back and forth a few times. You will be amazed just how much oxidisation is removed on a cart that has been unused for a while and the cotton bud will get quite dirty. Repeat this until the contacts are clean and shiny.

Wait for the contacts to dry and try the cart, hopefully all will be well and the game will play, but if not…

Cleaning Step 3 – Ink Eraser

Non abrasive methods haven’t worked so it’s time for the big guns. You will need an Ink Eraser and a small brush (a half inch paint brush will do).

Depending on the cartridge and the shape of your eraser (unused ones will have a nice bevelled edge that will get into that gap) you may need to disassemble your cartridge first. Some cartridges such as those for the Atari 2600 will pull apart after the removal of one screw (with care!), some cartridges such as those for the Nintendo 64 require special tools. You can find instructions on how to disassemble specific cartridges elsewhere on the internet such as here. I will assume that you have taken your cartridge casing apart and have the circuit board and contacts fully exposed. Take this opportunity to examine the circuit board for broken solder and to replace any batteries. Use the eraser and rub on each of the contacts gently in turn until the oxidisation is removed. Once done use the brush to clean off the bits of eraser. Reassemble and try out your cartridge.

Cleaning Step 4 – Last Resort

If the steps above haven’t restored your cartridge to working order then you have nothing to lose. You will need some emery board (commonly used to file finger nails) fine emery cloth or very fine wet and dry sandpaper and a small brush (a half inch paint brush will suffice).

Disassemble your cartridge as above so that the contacts are fully exposed. Rub the contacts gently with the emery board (or paper) until they are bright and shiny. Please note that if this is over-done it will result in the contact being rubbed away and the cartridge will be beyond repair, you have been warned! Brush away any residue, reassemble and try out the cartridge.

Hopefully your cartridge is now working, if not, then perhaps its time to list it on an auction site as ‘unable to test’ (only kidding)…

Disclaimer: The Author accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any damage caused to yourself, your console or your cartridges by following the advice above. All cartridge surgery is undertaken at your own risk!