Game Boy Color LCD Display Replacement

Written By: Ajmal Puyehgar

Comments: 13

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

50 minutes

Introduction

The LCD Display is the screen that displays images from the Game Boy Color. This guide details how to disassemble and install an LCD Display.

Tools

Step 1

Locate the battery compartment on the back of the Game Boy Color.
Push down on the tab and hinge the cover downwards and outwards to remove the battery cover.

Step 2

Remove the batteries from the battery compartment.

Step 3

Using a Y1 screwdriver, remove the six screws on the back of the device as pictured. The bottom two screws are located inside of the battery compartment.

I did this with a Y0 bit. It works if you are careful. I wouldn't recommend it on other consoles but for this tiny thing, it works.

phnome -

The guide says a Y0 is needed. Is it a Y1 or Y0?

Trav -

Step 4

Gently lift and separate the back housing from the rest of the device. Now you've got the back housing out!

Step 5

Push up on the tabs on either side of the ribbon with a spudger.

Step 6

Gently remove the ribbon cable from the port

Step 7

Using the Phillips #1 screwdriver, remove the 3 screws shown in the picture.

It’s not mentioned here, but be sure to unplug the LCD flex cable at the top of the motherboard before removing the motherboard. To do so, gently press the clips on either side of the receptacle toward the top of the Game Boy. When they are both pressed up, the orange cable will slide freely out

Ben Perkins - 30/09/18

Thanks Ben. That's a very good point. Just ripping it out will cost you a couple bucks, not to mention your Gameboy will not work until you replace that ribbon cable.

Chris Pavlik - 07/10/18

Step 8

Gently lift the motherboard from the front housing.

Step 9

Gently pry and lift the LCD Display from the front panel.
Twisting the front casing may help gain more leverage.

if there is any adhesive, you can take off the foam, then put 90% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) on it, and it will loosen the adhesive on the screen display, making it easier to take it off.

Rocketgirlygirl - 15/01/21

Pretty sure you need to take the front cover off first?

Dimarnae Deveau -

Conclusion

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

Author

Ajmal Puyehgar

Member since: 18/01/13

520 Reputation

7 comments

I broke my screen doing this. Be really gentle!

Andrew - 01/11/16

Broke my screen just like the last commenter. These instructions are retarded. DON’T pry the screen from the back. Take the front cover off and PUSH it from the front. The circuity for the display is encased in the thin piece of glass all around the LCD. Prying WILL break it!

VoopTech - 25/08/18

Horrible instructions, TBH.

Michelle Fernandez - 02/11/20

Broke the plastic around the screen and doesn't turn on anymore -_- . Guess now I can put a backlit in but not how I wanted it to go

Daniel Guerrero -

Same thing happened to me, but its not really an issue. The way I see it, this is an article for replacing the screen, so it doesnt much matter if the one you’re taking out is broken.

DJ Gunter -

These instructions are top tier. Replacing a screen is not normally a quality of life upgrade decision. It is because the original is damaged or defective. The comments above are misleading. There is a plastic plexiglass thin protective film on all gameboys. If you have a spudger or thin guitar pick of the same plastic consistency then you can slowly slowly slowly weaken the GLUE holding down the plastic screen and then yes you can push the OG LCD screen out without prying. But you will need replacement glue strips to reapply the plexiglass window. That is if it didn’t bend an crease at any point. If it is no longer flat it will not fit properly and will need factory part replacement. Also canned air for dust an dirt. Along with isopropyl alcohol and some medical grade Q-tips. Regular tips can work but the cotton ends must be tight and free of stray fibers. iFixit is the leading publisher and will ALWAYS be first stop before confirming via a second outlet. This is what any mechanic or tradesman would do.

A Cotter -

I would like to also add that following these steps damaged part of my LCD underneath the glass. Its easier to get rubbing alcohol and something thin like a sludger or tweezers. Put on the rubbing alcohol around the front of the screen and on your prying tool and gently lift off the plastic cover and then you can gently push out the screen. The plastic cover can easily be reattached with super glue or double sided cellphone seal tape.

Joseph Brashears -