Hardware Oldies N64 not turning on

DuduMil · Oct 3, 2022

My N64 doesn't turn on anymore, I press the power switch to on, and nothing happens, the power indicator light is off, as well as the console, nothing appears in the screen.

I think the power supply died, what do you think it could be?

tech3475 · Oct 3, 2022

Have you tried a different socket?

Have you checked the fuse in the plug (if applicable)?

Have you left the system/transformer unplugged for a while?

Do you have a multimeter?

Urbanshadow · Oct 3, 2022

The power supply or the power led might be dead. Try another known-good power supply. Do not try your power supply with another N64.

KleinesSinchen · Oct 3, 2022

As far as I know in some N64 power supplies the capacitors might cause trouble by now. At least I've read that some people had to replace caps.
+1 for trying another power supply.
N64 consoles don't fail very often. "Total dead fish" probably means bad power supply or bad fuse.

DuduMil · Oct 3, 2022

tech3475 said:
Have you tried a different socket?

Have you checked the fuse in the plug (if applicable)?

Have you left the system/transformer unplugged for a while?

Do you have a multimeter?

I've tried in everywhere, even in the bathroom, and nothing happens.

I checked the fuses in the plugs, they are all working

Yes, the system has been unplugged for a while

No, I don't have a multimeter

tech3475 · Oct 3, 2022

Dudumendes said:
I've tried in everywhere, even in the bathroom, and nothing gappens.

I checked the fuses in the plugs, they are all working

Yes, the system has been unplugged for a while

No, I don't have a multimeter

Do you have a spare system to test with?

Looking at one guide, there may be internal fuses, although two may not be easy to diagnose without some kind of tester/multimeter:
https://nobitleftbehind.wordpress.com/2013/10/09/nintendo-64-repair/

DuduMil · Oct 3, 2022

tech3475 said:
Do you have a spare system to test with?

Sadly, no

DuduMil · Oct 3, 2022

Literally, no one on ebay is selling a EUR N64 power supply, that is just great...

Marc_LFD · Oct 3, 2022

Dudumendes said:
Literally, no one on ebay is selling a EUR N64 power supply, that is just great...

You could buy a UK N64 power brick and use an adapter or change the plug to Euro. It's fairly easy to do.

DuduMil · Oct 3, 2022

Marc_LFD said:
You could buy a UK N64 power brick and use an adapter or change the plug to Euro. It's fairly easy to do.

True

Marc_LFD · Oct 3, 2022

Dudumendes said:
True

Just ask a private seller on eBay about shipping to your country via Parcel2Go or ParcelABC.

Funny thing, the UK has adapters that transform a Euro plug into a UK plug, but not the other way around (obvious reasons).

They also have for the fat/big ones (less common).

Anyway, this is kind of fascinating to me and always neat to learn.

DuduMil · Oct 3, 2022

Thank you for the recomendation!

tech3475 · Oct 3, 2022

Marc_LFD said:
Just ask a private seller on eBay about shipping to your country via Parcel2Go or ParcelABC.

Funny thing, the UK has adapters that transform a Euro plug into a UK plug, but not the other way around (obvious reasons).

They also have for the fat/big ones (less common).

Anyway, this is kind of fascinating to me and always neat to learn.

Euro to UK adapters are fairly common in the UK, mainly because of toothbrushes and shavers. In bathrooms you may even find wall sockets designed for these with just the US/Euro connector.

One other option for Euro-UK is just replacing/rewiring the plug with a UK one.

Fun fact, at one point not all electronics came with plugs, even well into the 2000s when this was no longer an issue, we were taught in school how to wire one, although many of us already knew in my class.

Marc_LFD · Oct 3, 2022

tech3475 said:
Fun fact, at one point not all electronics came with plugs, even well into the 2000s when this was no longer an issue, we were taught in school how to wire one, although many of us already knew in my class.

Back when schools in the West taught students something useful.

DuduMil · Oct 5, 2022

But it can be a problem with the system it self, right?

Urbanshadow · Oct 5, 2022

Dudumendes said:
But it can be a problem with the system it self, right?

Yes, but luckily the N64 works at DC12v-800mA (1 rail) and DC3.3v-2.7A (2 rails) so it´s rather hard for anything after the power supply to fry and there is plenty of components in the original PSU ready to protect the system for damage so it´s really unlikely.

As I said above, testing another power supply known good, checking the Jumper/Expansion pak is well seated or reseating it, and checking good contact with the cartridge are the three holy grail steps for the N64.

Marc_LFD · Oct 7, 2022

@Dudumendes, just out of curiosity, you don't mind playing N64 at a lower framerate speed?

DuduMil · Oct 7, 2022

No, I don't mind

Oldyz · Oct 12, 2022

well, step one , if you know any N64 users, ask them if you can borrow the power supply to quickly rule it out -

next point failure is the power switch, mine failed years ago & some isopropylic alcohol made it work again, but those switches are easy to replace - -

some times the reset button gets stuck - but the red LED should still light up -

contacts need to be cleaned with alcohol -

the power supply cable might get fractures on the inside

very rare , but soldering can crack so that is also something to check out -

- a proper soldering is needed to repair the n64 tho, so try and find a trusted technician.

you will need the special screwdriver to take apart the console & the pow supply

DuduMil · Oct 12, 2022

Oldyz said:
well, step one , if you know any N64 users, ask them if you can borrow the power supply to quickly rule it out

Sadly, no

Oldyz said:
next point failure is the power switch, mine failed years ago & some isopropylic alcohol made it work again, but those switches are easy to replace

I cleaned with alchool, nothing happened, same for the Reset button

Hardware Oldies N64 not turning on

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