Fix a Game Boy by Cleaning the Cartridge

Tips on cleaning your game cartridges

By
D.S. Cohen
D.S. Cohen
Writer
  • Savannah College of Art and Design
  • University of the Arts
  • Maryland College of Art and Design
Former Lifewire writer D.S. Cohen is a gaming industry professional who has written hundreds of articles for publications that include The New York Times, and CBS Local website.
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Updated on November 18, 2019

Things get dirty. No matter how hard you try — whether by using slipcases, dust jackets, or air filters — you can't prevent dust and grime from getting into those hard-to-reach spaces in your GameBoy game cartridges.

Their openings are small, but the dirt still seems to get lodged in there, often making it hard for your Game Boy system to read the cartridge. You can avoid all of this by cleaning your games at the first sign of trouble. With a small amount of preventative maintenance, you'll never have to repair your system. It’s not as hard as you might think.

First, make sure you have the right equipment:

  • A can of compressed air
  • Cotton swabs
  • A small amount of water
  • Paper towels

Blow out Dirt With the Compressed Air

Cleaning a Gameboy cartridge with compressed air.

Spray compressed air into the cartridge to remove dirt and dust. It's simple: Hold it approximately a half-inch from the opening of the game cartridge. Spray air into the opening, being careful to hit the center and corners. This may be the only step you need to take. Test the game out and see. If you still have problems, proceed to the next step.

Do not put the straw directly into the cartridge opening. Compressed air cans contain tetrafluoroethane, a chemical used as a refrigerant that could damage the cartridge. Holding the straw end a half-inch away from the opening should allow the air temperature to level enough not to cause any damage.

Use a Damp Cotton Swab

QTips that can be used with a small amount of water to clean Gameboy games.

 Getty Images

Dip one end of a cotton swab into some water. Don’t soak it—dampen it. Use a paper towel to dab excess water off the cotton swab. Place the damp end of the swab in the opening of the cartridge. Gently rub the connector pins with a side-to-side motion.

Flip the swab over and use the dry end to dry the connector pins gently. Let the cartridge sit for 10 minutes before using it to allow any extra moisture to dry.

The swab should be just damp, not wet. You might think alcohol is a better choice, but don't use it; in fact, Nintendo specifically recommends only water and not alcohol for cleaning Game Boy cartridges.

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