How to Clean a Game Cartridge

Last Updated: August 12, 2022

Yearning to play that awesome childhood game? Maybe you just want to start collecting. Whatever the reason, game cartridges sometimes don't work. This article will give you the information you need to PROPERLY clean your cartridges, without taking them apart. This article applies to any cartridge based game system (NES, SNES, Genesis/Megadrive, Atari, etc). Please read the entire guide through once before starting.

Steps

1
Make sure it isn't your system. Put multiple games through the console that you know worked and double check that they do work.
2
Get your supplies together. You will need: Q-Tips or cotton swabs (Get plenty), Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol.

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3
Optional: Put some of the rubbing alcohol into a small container. This will prevent cross-contamination of the bottle. It also makes it easier to wet the swab if you start running out.
4
Get one side of the swab wet with the alcohol. The swab should be wet, but should not be dripping at all.
5
Rub the swab back and forth across one side of the contacts. You will not get the entire contact row the first time through. Focus on the bottom first, and then make your way up to the top.
6
Use the other side of the swab (if it has two sides), or get a new one, and repeat step 5 for the other row of contacts.
7
Repeat steps 5 and 6 until the swab comes back CLEAN.
8
Let the game sit for about 5-10 minutes, or until the game is dry, whichever is longer.
9
Try the game. If it still doesn't work, repeat steps 5 and 6 again. Some games are dirtier than others. Make sure to get the top of the contacts (Part that is exposed) very well, this part makes the most contact, and is the one most exposed to the elements.
10
Game on!

Community Q&A

Question

Can I use contact cleaning solution?

Community Answer

This can mess up the part of the cartridge containing the data, so you risk erasing data or making the cartridge unusable. I don't recommend it.

Warnings

Make sure the game's dry. Completely. It won't damage the console, or the contacts, but it will transfer any dirt from the console to the contacts. Unless you want to spend hours on end cleaning a game 14 times, you should probably let it dry.

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This process is the safest, but improper cleaning can damage your games.

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Use isopropyl or rubbing alcohol ONLY! There are other solutions you can use, but alcohol's ability to evaporate quickly in small amounts makes it extremely useful.

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