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Game Boy Advance LCD Screen Replacement

Device	Game Boy Advance
Difficulty	Moderate
Time	1 - 2 hours
Steps	17

This guide is by Spencer Day on iFixit and is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0. ByteRot mirrors it for non-commercial preservation: formatting changed and photos resized for old browsers; full-size photos and the text are on the FTP in /DOCS/REPAIR. Original guide >>

Follow this guide to replace the LCD screen on your Nintendo Game Boy Advance model AGB-001.

You may need to replace your Game Boy Advance screen if it's dead, unresponsive, discolored, has dead pixels or lines, or no longer displays an image.

If you think your screen is cracked, double-check that it's not the plastic screen lens (the clear cover (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/VPVbFJupHUFxWgkf.full) on the front shell). If it's just the lens that's cracked, follow this guide (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Game+Boy+Advance+Screen+Lens+Replacement/191996) to replace it.

The Game Boy Advance 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.

Note: This guide only covers replacing the screen with an original LCD one, not an IPS upgrade. Most IPS upgrades require soldering, modifications, or using a new shell. If you're upgrading the screen, you may still find this guide helpful to get you to the point of soldering or modifications. From there, you can reference any instructions included with your upgraded screen, or find more help on the website you purchased from.

Tools: iFixit Precision Bit Driver; JIS 1 Screwdriver Bit; Tri-point Y0 Screwdriver Bit; Spudger; Angled Tweezers; iOpener; Hair Dryer; Flush Cutter; Isopropyl Alcohol; Coffee Filters or a lint-free cloth; FixHub

Parts: Precut Double-Sided Adhesive Card

Step 1 :: Prepare your Game Boy for disassembly

• Before working on your Game Boy, turn the power switch to the OFF position and unplug any cables.
• If you have a game cartridge installed, remove it.
• NOTE: Since your Game Boy will be laying screen?side down for most of your repair, consider placing it on a clean cloth for protection.

Step 2 :: Remove the battery cover

• Release the battery cover tab with your finger and swing the cover away from your Game Boy to remove it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, insert the tabs on the bottom edge of the cover into their cutouts and press the cover into place.

Step 3 :: Remove the batteries

• Remove the two AA batteries.
• NOTE: If the metal terminals are corroded, follow this guide (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Clean+Corroded+Battery+Terminals/164164) to clean them.
• REMINDER: When installing batteries, use the diagram (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/CuXVhApCfFZ6DpLL.full) in the battery well to properly orient them.

Step 4 :: Remove the back shell screws

• Remove the seven screws securing the back shell:
    • Six 9.4 mm?long tri?point Y0 screws
    • One 8.5 mm?long JIS 1 screw
        • NOTE: You can try to use a non-iFixit Phillips driver in a pinch, but you risk damaging or stripping screws. Push down firmly on the driver and twist slowly.

Step 5 :: Remove the back shell

• Lift the back shell straight up and remove it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, squeeze the shell firmly around the edges and ensure the shoulder buttons and bumpers are properly seated with no large gaps. Gently test the buttons to make sure everything feels correct.

Step 6 :: Remove the shoulder buttons

• Lift the shoulder buttons (aka L and R buttons) straight up to remove them.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
    • NOTE: Since your Game Boy is laying upside down, the L button will go on your right?hand side, and the R button will go on your left?hand side.
    • Slide the buttons into place, making sure the peg on the button goes into its circular cutout (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/6uv5K3IvtUbTWpHb.full) and the button itself is over the actual button mechanism (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/HeFoECHJVlymkoFg.full).
        • NOTE: The shoulder buttons will sit on the inside edge of the side bumpers.
    • Gently test the buttons to make sure they feel correct. If they don't, reposition them and make sure the metal arms aren't stuck in a weird position under the board.

Step 7 :: Remove the side bumpers

• Remove the side bumpers.

Step 8 :: Remove the power switch cover

• Remove the power switch cover.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, make sure the switch cover is properly slotted (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/sXcLGbJnZeJ4ZkJg.full) around the arm on the switch mechanism.

Step 9 :: Disconnect the screen cable

• Use the point of a spudger to fully push up both locking tabs on either side of the screen cable connector.
• NOTE: You should feel the tab click into its unlocked position. Don't push too far, or the tab may slide completely out of the connector.

Step 10

• Use tweezers to slide the cable straight out of its socket.
• NOTE: The cable should come out with little to no force. If you feel resistance, the tab may not be fully unlocked.

Step 11 :: Remove the motherboard screws

• Use a JIS 1 screwdriver to remove the three 7 mm?long screws securing the motherboard.

Step 12 :: Remove the motherboard

• Use your fingers to grip the cartridge reader and lift the motherboard straight up to remove it.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, make sure the speaker gets correctly slotted into its circular cutout (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/swBAQPOBrGOWavOw.full) (including a small tab on the bottom (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/5eExCUBMjC1HeKYn.full)) when lowering the motherboard into place.

Step 13 :: Remove the silicone pads

• NOTE: While removing the silicone pads and buttons isn't strictly necessary, it helps prevent the possibility of losing them when removing the screen. If you don't want to remove the buttons, skip ahead two steps (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Game+Boy+Advance+LCD+Screen+Replacement/2002#s404159).
• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the three silicone pads covering the buttons (A and B, the D?pad, and Start/Select ).
• NOTE: If any of the pads are missing, they may be stuck to their corresponding spot (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/pWD445ULSBEWbpGt.full) on the motherboard.
• REMINDER: During reassembly, use your fingers to firmly press each pad into place, using the alignment pegs (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/3wsf4ciwEXtJPgCB.full) to properly orient them.

Step 14 :: Remove the buttons

• Use tweezers or your fingers to remove the buttons (A and B as well as the D?pad).
• NOTE: The Start/Select buttons are part of the silicone pad--there are no other buttons to remove.
• REMINDER: When re?inserting the action buttons, note that each one is keyed specifically for its recess and proper orientation.

Step 15 :: Where to insert your tool

• NOTE: Before prying up the screen, note where you need to pry:
• There's a seam between the screen and its gasket. Insert your tool here (under the screen) to give yourself the best chance of preserving the gasket.
• There's a seam between the gasket and the shell. Don't insert your tool here, or you may damage the gasket.

Step 16 :: Pry up the screen

• CAUTION: When removing the screen, be careful not to damage or stretch the adhesive gasket (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/pWXlrEPaNNOUPSd2.full) that secures it to the shell.
• Insert the flat end of a spudger under the screen and pry the screen up. Apply constant, steady pressure to allow the adhesive to separate.
• NOTE: If the screen isn't budging, flip your Game Boy over and lay a heated iOpener (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iOpener+Heating/25705) on the screen for two minutes to soften the adhesive. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Use+a+Hair+Dryer+to+Soften+Adhesive/157348) on the Low heat setting--be careful not to overheat your device, or you may warp the plastic.

Step 17 :: Remove the screen

• Remove the screen.
    • NOTE: If the gasket (https://guide-images.cdn.ifixit.com/igi/pWXlrEPaNNOUPSd2.full) stuck to the screen, carefully remove it and put it back on the shell.
• REMINDER: During reassembly:
    • NOTE: If you're upgrading the screen to an IPS one, you'll likely need to solder or modify the motherboard. Read any instructions included with your replacement part, and check the website you bought the part from for more information. If it's your first time soldering, check out our helpful soldering guide (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+To+Solder+and+Desolder+Connections/750)!
    • Compare your replacement screen to the original part--you may need to remove adhesive backings or protective liners from the new part before you install it.
    • If you damaged the gasket, remove all of it from the shell and use high?concentration (>90%) isopropyl alcohol and coffee filters or a lint?free cloth to remove any remaining residue. Then, replace the gasket with a new one, or apply strips of double?sided tape (https://www.ifixit.com/en-ca/products/tesa-61395-tape?variant=45271250141381) where the old one was.

Conclusion

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

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler (https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/E-Waste).

Repair didn't go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting (https://www.ifixit.com/Wiki/Troubleshooting_Problems_After_a_Repair), or ask our Answers Community (https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/Device/Game_Boy_Advance) for troubleshooting help.

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