N64 randomly resetting? Try this first.
The solution may be easier than you expected.
Some time ago my Nintendo 64 started resetting itself without any apparent rhyme or reason. After ruling out the power supply as the source of the problem I went to Google to seek a solution, finding it was a surprisingly uncommon issue (a testament to Nintendo’s consistently excellent build quality). What I did find, however, was that most of the time the problem was caused by loose or oxidized internal connectors. So, armed with my trusty 4.5 mm Gamebit and this handy iFixit guide, I cracked open my N64 and took it apart piece by piece. Finding absolutely nothing amiss inside I slowly and sadly put the console back together, fully expecting that the issue was there to stay and that this icon of my youth could now only be used as an offering to the spirits of Iwata and Yokoi. In a moment of final desperation before shelving the system forever, I plugged in the power supply, popped in Ocarina of Time, and…everything worked fine. I had fixed nothing but the console had stopped randomly resetting.
So what happened?
While most Nintendo 64 reset issues are caused by problems with the internal connectors the other major culprit — the one I should have checked first — is the Jumper Pak/Expansion Pak. The N64 will not normally boot up when missing a Jumper Pak or Expansion Pak but a loose, tilted, or oxidized Pak may allow for a bootable (albeit malfunctioning) console like mine. Luckily it’s easy to remove, clean, and reinstall the Jumper/Expanision Pak:
Step 1:
Unplug all cables (including the power supply) from your Nintendo 64.
Step 2:
Remove the Memory Expansion cover by pushing in the tab and pulling up on the cover.
Step 3:
Use a standard screwdriver or spudger to pry out the Jumper Pak or Expansion Pak.
Step 4:
Use a Q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol to gently scrub up and down along the Jumper/Expansion Pak’s contacts.
Step 5:
Use a dry Q-tip to remove the unevaporated alcohol from the Jumper/Expansion Pak’s contacts.
Step 6:
Firmly push the Jumper Pak or Expansion Pak back into its slot and replace the cover.
Step 7:
Reattach the cables to your Nintendo 64 and insert a favourite game.
Step 8:
Power on the console and check that it is now functioning correctly.
If the underlying cause of your problems was the Controller/Jumper Pak your Nintendo 64 should now be functioning as well as the day it was first played! If not, here are a few suggestions to help you on your journey. Good luck, the entire retrogaming community is counting on you!
Did you find this guide helpful? Do you have any other helpful tips, or maybe a good story about your own adventures in repairing classic consoles? Join the conversation in the comments section below.
This whole article is licensed under the Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 license because I was too lazy to take my own pictures.
