The Sega Game Gear, a portable version of the Master System, was Sega's first hand-held game console.
Gamegear won't turn on
Battery Issues
First, make sure the batteries are intact. Second, if your batteries have been used for around 5 hours, it has depleted all its energy. Simply replace the old batteries with new ones.
Contains new batteries, but still won't turn on
Use the AC adapter provided with the game gear to power the console, make sure you are using the correct model number (2103). Using the wrong AC adapter may result in damage to your unit.
Audio Issues
Simple Fix
Plug in a headphone compatible with 3.5mm audio jack onto the console. The sound will now come out of the headphone instead of the game gear.
Hard Fix
Often if the speakers emit little to no sound but the headphones work fine, a capacitor needs replacing. See Note.
Getting Scrambled Picture
Brightness Control
Adjust the brightness control dial located on the left side of the game gear to help reduce the problem.
Interference with other electronics
Try moving away it from other electronic devices, such as: television, radio, cell phone, or any other type of electric interference.
Buttons Not Working
Clean the button contacts on the logic board. If the carbon has worn down you can spray the buttons with a miniscule amount of carbon type paint that is commonly used to fix car window defrosters.
Additional Info
Electrical knowledge will be needed to fix the faulty capacitor, here is a video that will guide you to fixing and replacing the capacitor.
crwdns2944067:016crwdne2944067:0
I just recently got a used Game Gear and it works great except the brightness knob keeps coming off. Can you recommend a method of putting it back on permanently? Thanks.
alfredscudiero - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
I have a game gear that was unused for quite a while, there were batteries in it that exploded. I cleaned the battery terminals. and put new batteries in. Now it only powers on for a second and shuts off. What can I do?
michaelcarter6 - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
I have the same problem
TheCakeIsALie -
I think this has to do with dried out capacitors. "Recap" and it should work again.
CORED3SIGN -
What do you mean "recap"?
Nick Mancini -
Have same issue, need to recap everything, LCD burned out (played in negative), now no power, or sound. Haven’t touched it since 2011.
Sam Gray (darkling898) -
My game gear has a green screen that I have to tilt up to see colour picture. How do you reach the backgrounds LCD or fix it?
Dat boi - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
I need help with my game gear I changed all capacitors and it came on for a sec I noticed the blue part next to the screen is sparking a little only when on help please
Bigyeti - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
Might sound strange but we sautering them on you didn’t get any sauter on the traces?
Sam Gray (darkling898) -
I means to replace the capacitors so to recap means to unsauder and sauder on new capacitors.
Sam Gray (darkling898) - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
how do you clean the battery terminals?
Kasumi - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
You take them out and put them in vinegar and water, the ones you can't take out without de-soldering them you can wipe them down with the same mixture, just use cotton buds to rub it off
harry man -
So my game gear i bought 2-3 yeara ago (recapped at purchase) decided that today it didn't want to work, like it powers on, i can hear noise from the speaker and the screen turns on, B U T it's only a white screen and it's no game audio, only noise or static, any ideas on what the issue is and possible fixes?
harry man - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
So when I turn my game gear on the power light flashes on for a seconds and the screen turns on with lines on it and then they just turn off right after I turn it on, I need some help with it
Alec - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
Pulled out the handheld Sega and it won’t turn on?? It’s plugged up, new batteries. And nothing. Like a red light. What do I do?
Alina - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0
I have a game gear, But it just wont turn on, Its charged, Still not working, It also has batteries in it, Not working, The power thingy doesnt light up either, i dont hear or see anything.
Blue Fish - crwdns2934203:0crwdne2934203:0