Repairing a DEAD Game Boy Pocket [Part 1] 

Those pixels lost their capacity to twist the liquid crystal inside of them in order to change the orientation of light that passes through them. Thats how you polarize light so it wont pass through the filter layer, which makes the black pixels. In short, its dead.

That LCD is dead, Jim. You usually see this in cars where the cold/warm cycling + humidity does a number on lcd panels.

No matter how exhausting your day, seeing my favorite Discount Markiplier and Lego Island-afficionado work some tech magic with his soothing commentary, always manages to brighten my day. Thank you for the entertainment, sir!

In the user community they tend to call this mark on the LCD "leakage" or "screen CANCER." They might be on to something... Something that sadly can't help the faulty screen itself. Also if you put the backlit screen, be aware that the power regulator is taxing itself quite a bit coupled with the small batteries. So even if the Pocket is stable after the screen mod, battery life will be absolutely wrecked.

Tip for future desoldering: Be more generous with the desoldering mesh! Don't only work with the tip of the mesh. If you use the middle of the mesh, it can absorb the solder in two direction instead of only one ;)

Not sure if anyone has commented this yet but it looks like to me that the LCD itself is damaged. The pixels themselves have somehow been damaged and when that happens with LCDs there is no saving them, it’s just e-waste now. Sorry.

I'm not missing out on education-aiding sleep. This IS my education.

I've seen marks like that in old black and white LCDs before, and even some new ones after they've experienced a physical shock (been dropped, etc). So maybe it's some kind of damage to the LCD itsself cause by physical shock?

I'm glad you took apart the switch to clean it and make it work. The whole time I was like "just clean it!" I had to fix a PSP like that once

I've normally experienced that kind of damage on LCD screens when they're exposed to shock, it's happened to a few of my multimeters, doesn't show straight away happens a few months to a year after the impact, it's like a microfracture that just grows a crystalline structure over time especially in cold conditions, sometimes by warming up the display to 60-70°c the marks will go away but then they reappear after a couple of weeks to a few months later.

In my experience, moving parts such as switches are the first things to break, because the contacts get gunked up and corroded. This actually good news cause it’s pretty to easy usually, just clean it really well, you can buy anti corrosive contact spray, which is really useful.

I'm a complete newbie to this stuff and I managed to fix an old NES power switch by just taking it apart and cleaning it. That seemed way easier than trying to replace it!

A dirty switch is pretty common in GBAs as well. Sometimes, you don't even need to take it apart (the switch), just spray some IPA inside and keep moving it for 1 or 2 minutes.

Can't wait for part 2! This is already an interesting journey!

Im, really glad that people like you make these videos where it seems to be unrepairable but end up repairing it This videos pbly helped at least one person and it makes me happy

I love 3:36, "NOOOO! NOOOOO!" Great video, you never fail to make anything you do interesting. For the future, I'd recommend a product called Deoxit D5 for something like the switch. It's a contact cleaner that also has a lubricant. It removes corrosion really effectively and protects it afterwards. My theory on the LCD is that the crystals might have been damaged from an impact or something. I've seen something similar on a surface pro screen before.

These kind of damage to the LCD is called „Screen cancer“ and it renders the screen useless. I had this on my Pocket too

@MattKC Thank you for making these videos. You've motivated me to self repair my broken hardware, and thanks to that my XPS 13 laptop and my ZOOM audio recorder live to be used another day!

I recently got a game boy pocket missing it’s switch (no clue how you even lose the switch) and this video saved me a lot of time of just realizing without an original switch I’m screwed so thanks for that

Long story short, these black marks is what is referred to as "LCD cancer" and they appear when the two layers of glass get some space between them for one reason or another and the Liquid leaks from where it should be to that space. This is basically non-repairable no matter how you think of it, and removing the polarizer was a huge mistake.. The reason I say it is a huge mistake is that when you peel it using force (like you did) you're doing 2 bad things (in addition to peeling to totally fine polarizer that is): 1- you are exerting a force that will definitely make that empty space between the layers of glass get larger 2- you will definitely (sooner or later) get even more black marks around the edges of the LCD as the force you exerted is basically applied not only on the polarizer, but also to the layer of the glass beneath it, thus forcing it to separate from the other one. So.. in conclusion, never do that. If you see a screen with this "LCD cancer" thing, my advice is: take it for what it is if you want to keep the authentic old looks, or just get yourself a backlit IPS LCD and mod your GBP.

this is the MOST technical video of a gameboy restoration, well done!

I just found your channel yesterday with the new video about PS2 and I gotta say, your content is gold. I never knew I needed this content until now...

i'm always hyped for a new MattKC video, especially of this sort

I can’t wait for part two! I love seeing old stuff restored

So rare to see someone fix up the Pocket. This is the video I've been waiting for. Really curious to see if you make any upgrades!

I love your work when I am tired seeing you work melts me to sleep

Matt you're an absolute gem, can't wait for part 2!

So here's the thing, the first thing you should do with broken Gameboys when you repair them, assume the switch needs to be cleaned or replaced, that is one of the weakest and first things to get dirty

This Gameboy video turned me into a Gameman.

You were in recommendations and I’m hooked I csnt wait to tune in more

Matt, thanks, I had a hard day, this upload makes things better.

Always so glad to see your videos! Thank you for making them

Love you Matt can't wait for part 2!

Awesome video as always, Matt!

It's okay, I use the flossers too. Holding regular floss sucks, and better that you're actually flossing than giving up because regular floss sucks so bad

Fantastic video! Never seen an LCD do that. Can't wait for part 2.

Was screaming all the time: “just clean the switch” 😂 Thankfully you found out in the end. Switches only stop working because they either get dirty or corroded (common) or due to a shortcut (uncommon). Also for SMD components I highly suggest a hot air gun and not a solder iron.

I can't describe it but your videos are like no other, I always enjoy the stuff you make. I could probably watch you repair something as stupid as a microwave and it would still be fun to watch.

Hey Matt, Thank you so much for uploading this. My GBP had a different (very random) issue, but I was basically checking any toturial out there for any tips. I saw your trick on bridging the power switch and did that too to lower the complexity of my repair. This seemed to have been the issue on my unit though: very bad connections on the power switch. I reflowed everything and now my GBP is back in working order! Thank you!

Nice, a new video! Why am I writing this when I can just watch it now?

legend is that matt is a tech resto god

I'm glad you leave in your mistakes. Helps new people realize that it's just part of the game.

I repaired a gbc with help from your videos, thanks for sharing your videos; good vibes from Mexico ;)

im always so excited when you upload a new video.

Haven't even watched it yet but I know it's gonna be a banger

awesome video!!! can't wait for part 2!!

I look at the thumbnail. I immediately see screen rot. This is gonna be an interesting series.

I'll watch this later today when i'm eating lunch.

Thats a common issue with dirt in the gameboy if you put ipa in the switch and turn it on and off a few times it fixes it, you dont even have to open it

I have seen similar marks on a GBA SP NES Edition. They seem to have been caused over a very long time by the heat and humidity of the tropic. At first these resulted in shifting of the angle of maximum visibility, and inverted colors. Now there are many dead pixels that look as if they had been ripped off the screen, at the areas where the damage is more concentrated.

Isn't it weird how back then knowing a ton about computers and that would be considered a nerd but now you would be a legend

@ismattkc Thank you for making these videos. You've motivated me to self repair my broken hardware, and thanks to that my XPS 13 laptop and my ZOOM audio recorder live to be used another day!

Love your work brah!

when matt uploads a vid: a month has passed when he uploads in less than a month: IMPOSSIBLE

really enjoyed the part where you fixed the gameboy

it looks like it's pressure damage. Basically, someone had an object against the screen at some point, which caused the crystals to be pushed out of alignment (or just outright broken), which can cause them to appear black. I've actually broken a couple of phone screens and seen the damage that causes simply because i had my keys in the wrong pocket with them. So, that's probably the issue. I doubt any particular solution exists, outside of either peeling those apart, and managing to re-align all the crystals correctly, or just replacing it. Something you could potentially do, however, though, I doubt you'll be all that successful, is to either rub on the screen (we're talking pencil eraser or rubber tipped stylus), and massage it back into place (though it's not exactly like a computer monitor so, it might not work, or work properly); or, you could attempt to charge the screen and have it flip through each "color" (likely intensity, due to being a black and white display) rapidly, so as to re-align the crystals that way. In all honesty, the rapid flipping of colors for the display is likely your best chance at fixing it, but, it would just be better to replace the screen. Besides, if you've got a back-lit screen, you can improve your enjoyment with it.

Just a random trivia i found out, a ds lite switch from aliexpress works on the gbc. Sure it technically is a momentary switch but the weight of the gbc plastic slider keeps it in on position.

Dude thanks so much for this video. I had this exact problem and cleaning that switch fixed it.

very entertaining video! A few specific tips tho: -Desoldring with desoldring wick can be easier if you actually tin the wick first, and use a liberal amount of flux on both the wick and contacts on the board (flux can easily be cleaned off with alcohol and cotton swabs, so there's no need to worry about overdoing it) The board can always be dowsed with alcohol and scrubbed with cotton swabs to get debris and baked on flux off, and the alcohol will quickly evaporate leaving a clean board. -For desoldering smd components like that switch, however, it can help to have a combination desoldering station with a hot air reflow tool, as that lets you liquify a large section of solder at once, while the components should stay in place due to surface tension (as long as you don't have the fan in the reflow tool too high and too close that is). They're not that expensive either! I think I got mine for under $40, and if you do even a mild amount of electronics tinkering you'll thank yourself for getting it. -For removing adhesive easily with no fuss, I like to use goo gone. It's a super effective adhesive remover that uses citrus oil, so it smells very plesant, and adhesives can easily be wiped off clean with a dry or damp paper towel. It breaks down the fatty structures in adhesive, but isn't abrasive like acetone, which can actually ruin some plastics (like cd jewl cases for example). Goo gone can also be cleaned off with isopropyl alcohol and swabs. -I know it's not the particular problem your screen had, but it can sometimes help with old non-backlit lcd's like this to hit them with a bit of heat and see if that fixes the problem. The original brick DMG gameboy is notorious for loosing entire lines due to solder inside the screen loosing connection, and massaging the glass careful near the ribbon with an iron, or hitting it with a heat tool in place can reset the solder connections and fix it. Just don't overdo it obviously as this can damage the components just like anything else.

I usually prefer to buy systems that are just dead, as in they don't power on according to the seller but don't have any obvious visual damage etc. most of the time it's the matter of changing a battery or something simple, or in the case of my Game Boys it's often just a flaky power switch that just takes a bit of cleaning. Much cheaper than buying replacement screens and things like that

I love the videos. Subscribed 🤙🏻

The shell is not authentic is it? 0:31 The "Nintendo" logo has no (R) marker and generally looks wonky. That's the sign of molding that's at least one generation derived from Nintendo's own factories/proxy factories.

Mattkc videos are so cool!

In the past I've used contact cleaner to "fix" dirty switches without removing them or disassembling them. Just spray it in and actuate the hell out of the switch. I like the non greasy contact cleaner because it leaves no residue but both types are o.k. It works 99% of time. As always, great video! Everybody loves parfait!

Did you notice the On and Off of the replacement switch are opposite of the On and Off printed on the board?

I got notified three times on my RU-vid app. This better be good òwó

"you can see the mark at some angles" Someone else has likely pointed this out already, but the reason this is, is because when light reflects off a flat surface it often gets polarized in some direction relative to that surface. That's why polarized sunglasses are recommended for people on boats (water surface).

This channel is freaking awesome 👌

My Ti-83 too suffers from that weird mark, I have no idea what it is but the device still works. Other than that, you are one brave man to fix your GB Pocket's switch like that.

I've seen screens with similar issues but I do remember there being a fix, but it's not fool proof. Just use a heat gun on low setting to get all the liquid crystals to go liquid and then cool.

Definitely liquid crystal damage. Also means it’s unfortunately unrepairable. But good thing you were smart and thought ahead and got a replacement. :D

So quick tip on those old TN LCD panels. _IF,_ and that's a big "if", you could get the outer protective layers of that screen apart, you can sometimes _massage_ out stuck pixels like that. It works on old PC monitors with stuck pixels, but those older TN panels tended to be kind of squishy, unlike the hard plastic on that gameboy screen. It is possible that you maybe could have massaged it straight through the plastic just right to get it, but I think that particular screen was done for. But, it you ever have an older TN LCD panel (especially color ones) with just a couple of stuck pixels, you can usually massage them with your thumb and get them unstuck. It's like that diagram shows, the pixels are turned on and off by those ladder-like structures twisting and untwisting, and sometimes they get hyper extended straight and cant twist back up with just electrical power, they literally need a little bit of physical force to nudge them back into a pliable shape! So if you have an older TN monitor or TV and you notice bright dots whenever the image is black, give that sumbitch a nice rubdown with your thumb!

Nice video as always :)

I never thought one switch could cause so much trouble...

Just found a video by "Hey! It's Andy" that fixes those dead pixels It's called "Dead Pixels and How Gameboy LCD screens work - The Epilogue" I just got recommended that video and was immediately reminded of your vid. Maybe try this out. In short, he said, that the crystals in the display may be oxidised and are therefore not conducting anymore and that may be why they are "dead". The fix he had, was to use a q-tip and kind of massage the dead pixels out. So scrub with the q-tip and force for a while in different directions over the dead pixels. But make sure to put something behind the screen to not damage it.

I had a similar issue with a switch on a tape deck I repaired, where bad contacts meant that the audio signals weren't being passed through the switch

MATTTT KKKKKKKKKKKKKKK CCCCCCCCCCCCCC IS BACK BOISSSSSSS

yay mattkc uploaded!

Just watched this on 2x at midnight, picked up the main points. Hell yeah investigate that defunct screen some more, maybe try use heat to peel the compacted layers? Hell you have a replacement so even if the investigation makes the old screen useless it's still going to be an interesting search

Haha, yeah. That was the exact same issue I ran into with a GBC. Glad I left the review up.

babe, new MattKC video dropped

Post moreeee you’re videos are too good

I live in the same country as yourself. When you stated finding a dead gameboy for cheap! Lucky. Even faulty ones are ridiculous in price. The industry has changed

cant wait for part 2 :)

I actually have a modern 3.5" composite "rear view camera" monitor that had very similar damage to it. at some point, there was an impact on the LCD panel itself, damaging the crystals/matrix inside the glass layers. It still worked fine, but had visible dead spots just like yours.

That Shrek reference was awesome! 11:22

cant wait for part 2!

Hello! Love your vids!!!

If I may, I have a video on how to mount the small switch on the Gameboy Color without an adapter. The method is very much the same for any console, I think without the adapter PCB lifting the switch up it probably would have worked on the GBP too?

Yay you uploaded!

"in fact one of those scratches forms a name" comedy gold.

With consoles such as Gameboy's, it's very difficult to source replacement parts without salvaging from other consoles. Gameboy headphone jacks are prone to corrosion, so the best course of action is to disassemble the switch completely. I'm seeing a lot of conflicting comments regarding the screen. People often call it "screen cancer" within the gameboy community, and most say that it's unfixable. There are reports of it occuring spontaneously, and getting worse over time. However, there is a user on RU-vid named "Hey, It's Andy" who was able to remedy the issue on his Gameboy Light by applying gentle pressure on both sides, massaging the spots out, and perhaps reattaching the layers of the screen?

After seeing you peel the reflective layer off the back of the screen, I'm now wondering if it would be possible to have a transparent gameboy

Tip about the polarizer. It's comes off way easyr with warm water and a paper towel and place it on the screen and leave it on over night.

That clap at the start. Good

I FRICKIN' LOVE YOUR VIDEOS

Nice video! 👍🏻

yesss new mattkc lesggoooooo

the "subscribe to MattKC" thing at the end always catches me off guard

MY gums hurt watching you floss. 👀