How to Clean Retro Game Cartridges

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Dirty or oxidized contacts are the main reason retro cartridges fail to boot. Cleaning them is easy and safe with the right approach.

What you need

High-percentage isopropyl alcohol, cotton swabs, a security bit screwdriver set (for opening cartridges), and microfiber cloths.

Step 1: Clean contacts with alcohol

Dip a swab in isopropyl alcohol and rub the contacts. Repeat until swabs come away clean. Let dry fully.

Step 2: Stubborn oxidation

For stubborn oxidation, open the cartridge and gently clean the contacts. Avoid abrasives that remove plating.

Step 3: Clean the shell and label

Clean shells with mild soap and water, keeping labels dry.

Step 4: Clean console pins

Console cartridge slots also need cleaning. Replacement pin connectors are available for some consoles.

Don't blow on cartridges

Blowing adds moisture that can cause corrosion.

Why cartridges stop working

A cartridge connects to the console through a row of metal contacts on its edge connector. Over decades, those contacts collect dirt and skin oils, and oxidation builds up on the metal. Poor contact means the console can't read the game reliably, causing blank screens, garbled graphics or freezes. Console pins also get dirty or bent, particularly in the NES's notorious 72-pin connector, which loosens with age. Clean cartridges and a clean or refreshed console connector solve most "dead game" problems.

Detailed cleaning method

1. Inspect the contacts under good light. Note any dark spots, which indicate oxidation.
2. Dip a cotton swab in high-percentage isopropyl alcohol so it's damp, not dripping.
3. Rub firmly along both sides of the edge connector, rotating the swab to a clean area often.
4. Repeat with fresh swabs until they come away clean. Heavily dirty games may take several swabs.
5. Dry with a clean swab and let the alcohol evaporate completely, a few minutes, before inserting.
6. Test the game. If it still fails, open the cartridge for a more thorough cleaning.

Thin cardboard or a lint-free cloth wrapped around a plastic card can reach inside cartridge openings without disassembly.

Opening a cartridge

Nintendo and some other cartridges use security screws. A 3.8mm security bit opens NES, SNES, N64 and Game Boy carts; a 4.5mm bit is used for some consoles themselves. With the shell open, handle the circuit board by its edges and clean both sides of the contacts. Avoid touching components. While it's open, look for corrosion, damaged traces or a leaking save battery.

Save batteries

Many cartridges with save features use a small coin-cell battery to keep save data. These batteries last many years but eventually die, erasing saves. Replacing one requires desoldering and installing a new battery with solder tabs. Back up saves first if you have a way to do so. If you're not comfortable soldering, retro game repair shops can do it.

Cleaning the console connector

Cartridge cleaning helps only if the console's connector is also clean. Many consoles can be cleaned by inserting a cleaning card or a thin lint-free cloth dampened with alcohol, then working it in and out gently, with the console unplugged. For the NES, a replacement 72-pin connector restores reliable connections when the old one has lost its tension; this involves opening the console. Avoid "boiling" or bending pins, which can cause damage.

What not to do

• Don't blow into cartridges; moisture speeds corrosion.
• Don't use metal polish or abrasives that strip the contacts' plating.
• Don't soak labels or circuit boards.
• Don't use low-percentage rubbing alcohol with lots of water.
• Don't force cartridges into consoles.

Cleaning disc-based games

For disc-based consoles like the PS1 and Saturn, clean discs with a soft cloth from the center outward, never in circles. Scratched discs can sometimes be resurfaced. Clean the console's laser lens gently with a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol if the console struggles to read discs.

Storing cartridges

Store cartridges in dust covers or cases, upright, away from heat, humidity and sunlight to protect labels and contacts. Silica gel packs help in humid climates.

Cleaning cartridge shells and labels

Dirty shells can be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth and mild soap, keeping moisture far from the label. For grimy shells, disassemble the cartridge, remove the circuit board and wash the empty shell halves in warm soapy water, drying thoroughly before reassembly. Clean labels very gently with a dry cloth or a slightly damp swab on tough spots, testing first; many labels are fragile paper. Sticker residue can be removed with a small amount of adhesive remover on the plastic only.

Yellowed plastic

Some consoles and cartridges yellow over time due to flame retardants in the plastic reacting with light and heat. Retrobriting uses hydrogen peroxide and UV light to reverse yellowing, but it can make plastic brittle and results vary. It's a controversial technique among collectors; research carefully before trying it on valuable items.

Testing after cleaning

After cleaning, insert the cartridge gently and power on. If it still fails, clean the console's connector too, and test with a known-good cartridge to narrow down the problem. Persistent failures may indicate a hardware fault, a dead save battery or a counterfeit cartridge.

Spotting counterfeit cartridges

Reproduction and counterfeit cartridges are common, especially for popular titles. Signs include poor label printing, wrong screws, incorrect board layouts and light weight. Open suspect cartridges to compare the board with known genuine examples.

Cleaning Game Boy cartridges

Game Boy cartridges have exposed contacts at the bottom edge. Clean them the same way with isopropyl alcohol and swabs. Game Boy consoles' cartridge slots also collect dirt; clean them gently with a swab or cleaning card.

When to seek repair

Cartridges that still fail after thorough cleaning may have hardware faults. Retro game repair shops can diagnose and fix many issues.

Our bottom line

Alcohol, swabs, patience and a clean console connector fix the vast majority of games that won't boot.

Cleaning tools