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NES u/romhackrhonda ·

Why does my NES power light blink and the screen flash when I turn it on?

I dug my old Nintendo Entertainment System out of the attic to show my kids, but when I push the power button, the red light just blinks on and off. The television screen also flashes gray or blue in sync with the light. I tried blowing into the cartridge like I used to do, but that didn't help. Is my console broken or is it just the game?
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3 comments

  • u/turbo_button ·
    You can usually resolve this issue by cleaning the metal contacts on your game cartridge using isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab. Over decades, dust and grime build up on the cartridge edge connector, preventing a clean electrical connection. If cleaning the games doesn't help, the culprit is likely the console's internal 72-pin connector, which can lose its spring tension over time. You can either take the console apart to bend the pins back into shape or buy a replacement connector online.
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  • u/attractmode ·
    If you are comfortable with basic electronics, a popular permanent solution is disabling the lockout chip entirely by cutting pin number 4 on the 10NES chip. This chip is located on the NES motherboard, and severing that single pin stops the system from resetting itself when a connection is imperfect. Doing this also allows you to play unlicensed games and imports from other regions without the console locking up. Just be careful not to damage other components on the board while doing the modification.
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  • u/palette_swap ·
    The blinking red light and flashing screen are caused by the 10NES lockout chip failing to establish a secure connection with the cartridge. Nintendo designed this security chip to prevent unauthorized, unlicensed games from being played on the system. When you insert a cartridge and push it down, the game pins connect to the console's 72-pin connector. If those pins are dirty, oxidized, or bent, the connection fails, and the lockout chip resets the console once per second, causing the blinking light and flashing screen.
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