GameCube Disc Drive Troubleshooting and Repair

[@majonesxkedger]

Christmas day. My 14 y.o. son wants a retro game to play. I bought one online for a lot more than the price mentioned here. It will work for 2 or 3 minutes before giving a disc error. We follow these steps and find our resistance is a little over 600 ohms. We corrected down to 300 ohms. Running great now. A great father-son project on Christmas day! Thanks!

[@gabrielwright1562]

xkedger oh wow if you want retro get a SNES. Great library, that retro graphics, all that jazz.

[@Aidea._.]

Darn it, stop making me feel old.

[@maziu27]

@The Illusionist well if its discontinued ibconsider it retro. The wii is retro for me

[@maziu27]

@The Illusionist nintendo 64 had 3d 🤔

[@Zapablast05]

@The Illusionist GCN is on the verge of being dated as retro. 20 years is the typical cycle. With technology, it's not so much about age but nostalgia. iPod classic is considered retro, GCN is considered retro, PS1 is considered retro. SNES and NES are on the verge of being vintage AND retro. I was in 6th grade when the GCN came out, so it's retro af to me.

[@Djbiohazard1991]

"I like to do the simple things first"... *takes off the shell before cleaning the lens*. Suuuuure :')

[@josue3434ify]

Dj Biohazard hahaha

[@borpis6796]

I know this video is a decade old but you absolutely saved me! Only needed that 1/8th counter clockwise turn and runs like a dream! Thanks so much 🙏

[@BeetaroniPizza]

This helped me fix a completely different problem with my GameCube thanks.

[@Fattydeposit]

Anna The ability for your GameCube to play burned DVDs? I understand the pot needs to be set to have a resistance of between 180 and 220 to allow this, although this may vary from machine to machine..

[@MartyMcfly720]

beet Me too lmao my spinner was just gummed up

[@muhammadchandler5544]

I dont mean to be so off topic but does anyone know a tool to log back into an Instagram account..? I stupidly lost the account password. I would love any assistance you can give me

[@morganbjorn1603]

@Muhammad Chandler instablaster :)

[@muhammadchandler5544]

@Morgan Bjorn thanks so much for your reply. I found the site through google and im trying it out atm. Takes quite some time so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@woodface1373]

A million thanks to you sir. I bought a brand new Nintendo GameCube, complete with box and manuals last 2016. after I bought it from the seller online, I didn't​ bother to test it because it's brand new. but only now I realized that I need to test the GameCube that I bought. when I did, I have the same problem just like your GameCube. So I followed your instructions and after adjusting the VR or whatever. Wow, It's a magical feeling! I'm just worried because I didn't use a potentiometer. I just tweaked it once counter clockwise.just a little. God bless you Sir.

[@davideotape661]

Got a broken gamecube for $5 today and this tutorial made it like brand new, thanks a bunch!

[@papasmurfington5264]

Thanks to you I fixed my GC for $.82! I went without the multimeter and just turned the laser's screw/knob (potentiameter) counter clockwise about 1/8 of a turn. Thumbs up -- excellent video and advice!

[@Thegaara64]

Done the same thing, it worked perfectly!

[@Popclone]

Awesome video, got my working at 110 ohms, I had to drop it from 199 ohms to 110, with trail and error. I think everyone will have a different "sweet spot". The best solution is to replace the Caps on the optical drive.

[@Keetchigan]

Disk wasn’t reading at 231 Om. Adjusted to 160 Om and now reads disks. Watched another YT video with other OM suggestions for the working resistence. Great tear down video!

[@LEO37MX]

i had this problem when i was young, is pretty cool to know now what was the problem in my game cube. Good video

[@bumpn19]

I tried this on a GameCube that would no longer read discs- worked great! This is an excellent video that is very easy to follow for fellow electronic geeks. One suggestion would be to ensure that the top lid is in the open position before re-assembling- I broke one of the micro-safety switches that shuts off the unit when the lid is opened (no biggie, bypassed- don't open the lid and stare at the pretty red laser- lol.) I had to set mine to 300 ohms before it started working. I am guessing that the laser is weakening and will eventually fail, but a great procedure to get it back up and running!

[@honkingonbobo]

I really wanted this to work. What an in-depth video. I followed it precisely but I am still experiencing the same problem.

[@FIRO347]

Wow! Absolutely amazing! You are a very smart man! I'm very impressed about how you know a lot of the inside components of a Gamecube and how you got the disc drive to work again. You took the Gamecube apart and put it back together perfectly. I will definitely reflect on this video if I have any problems with my Gamecube's disc drive not working.

[@DevinAK49]

I have 3 gamecubes now because of the optical problem. Amazing how many useful videos you've made. Thanks!

[@brees354]

I did this without the Hioki, because I'm daring and desperate, and I just turned the dial a tiny bit (like 1/4 couter-clockwise) and mine works fine now!!! Thanks for the helpful video!

[@bigred330]

Well I'm glad to say that... IT WORKED!!!!! The lens power was to weak so when I increased it, it worked. 5 stars man! 5 stars

[@bubbajack9738]

This helped me get my GameCube back up and running. First problem I’ve had with it for over 12 years, glad it’s working again!

[@tonydisk1]

It was very useful, my gamecube was brougth to life after 5 years of being useless, thanks pal

[@riverrat3101]

i had the same problem but solved it without having to take anything apart. the solution is simple: take an air blower or hand-held hair dryer and blow air (make sure it is NOT hot air) through ALL the air vents and through the open top and through the bottom of the gamecube. this will get rid of the dust and dirt and make your console playable once again. i did this with my gamecube and my playstation 2, after i thought that both of them were beyond repair, and now they are working like new once again.

[@mikaelrivacov5705]

It's alive! Long live GameCube👏🙏

[@ErekLadd]

Great video. Pretty interesting stuff. I've always wanted to mess around with consoles and fixing things, so it doesn't seem too challenging. Probably the hardest part of it all is having the proper tools.

[@4bioh]

Hello, I did it, however my GC still not reading the games. I already cleaned the lens up and nothing..

[@zergmare7]

You saved my gamecube!!!!!! I am adding this video to my favorites should I ever need it again!

[@emmettturner9452]

The "official term" is NEC External Line Head screw. Haven't heard it called that in almost 20 years though. ;) Also, I'd suggest leaving the disc in during disassembly, or at least leave an 8cm/80mm blank or slug disc (clear disc usually included with a spindle of blanks).This will prevent accidental touching of the laser and should not interfere with disassembly.

[@501st_guy]

This really help my Gamecube disc reader's problem but I mostly clean the lens and the disc spinner and the game disc it's self but I might see one day to see if it that but I still can play my games on it.

[@angelmorales8874]

I dont know if you will see my comment but i have a game cube that turns on fine and all but it doesnt read the disk, i saved your video for about a year just to finally buy the tool you need to opened, i found a different problem that i dont know how to fix and if its even related to this but my disk reader doesnt move, (everything else looks fine) but the mechanism that moves the laser back and forth seems to be stuck and only moves when theres is no disk and it also does a clicking sound, like its strougling to move If you know what it is please tell me i wanted to fix this console because it means a lot to me and was a big part of my childhood

[@bobdotexe]

Nice Job! and pacman vs is a great party game!

[@gluGPU]

tibbarkcaj zzaj

[@gluGPU]

HOW DID YOU KNOW

[@silverXI22]

I got a bundle verson I got pac man vs and pac man world 2 on gamecube

[@71dembonesTV]

10:28 - "You'll *potentially* burn up the laser", eh? :)

[@micahmoore2215]

Thanks! Totally saved my gamecube, now I can enjoy it with the kiddos.

[@loganmartin9747]

I had this problem with my 20-year-old GameCube. Didn’t work after trying to set it to 480 ohms. Watched another video saying to set it to about 175. I did so and it works now. Are there two different models? I read something online about a DOL-001 and a DOL-101. I’m unsure, but happy these videos exist to make me look intelligent to friends and family. :)

[@eathenhawk]

175 worked 👌

[@jmontyy]

I’m able to play games on my GameCube but after 10-15min or so the game disc cannot be read and I hear the game stop spinning... after I open and close the lid I am usually able to play for another minute or so before the game disc cannot be read again. Not sure how to fix it... tried the alcohol and q-tip and I don’t think it helped.

[@notisaacclarke9158]

I LOVE YOU! This guide helped me fix my best friend's Cube, thank you dude ♥️

[@lucaguarro6116]

Awesome! Thanks for the great video. I was able to fix my gamecube thanks to it. The pot started at 580 Ohms so then I tried ~410, still no good (though it would read the disc in 1 every 3 tries instead of 1 every 15 before; so an improvement), then i lowered it even more to 350 and it works like a charm.

[@davidmitchell3671]

I followed your process (nice video), as my console seemed to have the same issue. With the cover off, and the tabs pressed, the disk would spin for about 5 seconds then stop, and the laser would bounce back and forth a few times before stopping. So, I adjusted the variable resistance to about 350 ohms and put everything back together. Now the disk doesn't even spin, but the laser still bounces back and forth a few times before stopping. So I must've messed something else up in the process. Any ideas?

[@darwinleu4189]

Try 200

[@KlueLuke]

that means the GameCube was the first Nintendo home console with VR

[@lewie895]

Virtual Boy

[@thecbc7658]

For a better disk reading, you have to reduce the laser to 150-250 ohms

[@thecbc7658]

@@BernadetteA Ughhhhh I can't remember. I think I did some research for you at the time and that's what I was told to do.

[@thecbc7658]

@@BernadetteA I found this kzbin.infoIyxoXeHNhBQ?feature=share

[@thecbc7658]

@@BernadetteA Its called Adjusting the POT on a GameCube

[@thecbc7658]

@@BernadetteA kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYa0Ynp8haxsp5I&ab_channel=MrMario2011

[@thecbc7658]

@@BernadetteA Yes it worked better. I saw that in a video after this one. So I first tried out Colin;s method and it didn't work. After the second videos tutorial was done my GameCube worked again. P.S. The Game Cube was from the trash bin that I found.

[@emmettturner9452]

The heatsink screws actually do not hold the mainboard to the bottom shell.

[@eddiemccomas519]

i bought one on ebay and it done the same thing i took a qtip and cleaned the laser eye and it worked fine

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

+Eddie Mccomas Nice! Isn't it awesome when it's an easy fix like that?

[@romanlinares284]

yay

[@treyheywood3578]

Where do I get the screwdriver you used to get in there

[@marcoromero7873]

Even after adjusting it doesn’t read, the disc just stops spinning after the startup screen. Any help?

[@koshaz3x]

Same happened to me, adjusted several times with different values, but never got it to work.

[@harrisontashjian752]

You need another laser or drive, messing with the potentiometer doesn't always work and it is not a super long term fix. The better way is to replace the drive

[@Created.Figure]

I'm not sure why but my gamebit screwdriver just isn't gripping the screw, what should I do?

[@stephenpugh5872]

Ha! I usually mess these things up, but it actually worked! Adjusted the laser very slightly, dig out an old analog multimeter (had to actually clean a battery contact), swab the lens, and now I can play my old games again!

[@n_3719]

10:54 Get a Fluke.

[@NitishakaSwiftz]

You are a GENIUS dude, big ups

[@ferhound]

I like how instead of testing if it reads you just assemble all and then test. And of course, yours work and mine not.

[@pavulzavala9412]

just watched the video today, and you did a pretty good job with the explanation, thanks.

[@JA-uz7se]

Couldn’t get it work. Used many many values but just can’t get it to work at all

[@Zachariah99]

THANK YOU!!!! I have a Gameboy player attached to my GameCube and I knew I wasn't getting another system that could play these games on television. With a $70+ price tag to fix, I found your video. Really appreciated!

[@yourfriendlyneighborhoodga562]

Thanks for this video I got a GameCube just the other day with a copy of smash bros melee for 10 bucks but when It didn’t play the game but thanks to your video I fixed it

[@TRENSTAR007]

Worked for me and didn’t even need the multimeter Thank you so much!

[@folive64]

Thank you so much for your video. I managed to fix my son's GC, which I bought in 2002. It was being kept in the closet for the last 2 years, since he has a Wii and can play GC games on it. But it is always a big pleasure to fix something. Just one thing. I followed your instructions and tried to set the VR at 500 ohms. As the disk didn't spin, I started to lower the resistance until it finally spin. I ended up fixing the laser at 186 ohms. Do you think this is a problem? I hope I won't burn my son's GC! Thanks again.

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

+Fernando Oliveira Glad to hear you got it working! Only time will tell if you'll have long-term laser problems, but thankfully GameCube consoles are still fairly inexpensive so it shouldn't be too big of a deal to get a replacement laser assembly if it comes to it.

[@__babyface]

+This Does Not Compute Do you know anyone who can fix a Gamecube

[@josefmechanic]

This worked so well for my cube thank you so much it boots games right up no questions asked I set the pot to 310 it was at 180

[@playstation2bigs]

Capacitors C401 and C408 in laser lens motherboard no more turning potentiometer

[@Pandabaerchen88]

Hey thats is a great video. I could fix my gamecube dol 001 from ebay :) How muchg srechs Nintendo plugt in the cube. Sry my english isn´t perfect. I came from Germany :)

[@juanerdz]

Hi collin. Just did this on an old cube my nephews gave me years ago. Funny how it almost had the same values. Originally it read 636 ohms. Did the adjustment, read 450 ohm. Tested it and it worked. Do you think those pots maybe wear over time or from lack of use? (This thing’s been unused for about 11 years. ) anyway, thanks for the video. Now to clean this baby up. It is filthy!

[@minepipe]

Hello. I'm having a little problem if any of you know what could it be, I did all the thing mentioned in the video (I think I did it correctly) but the disc won't spin now (and yes, am pressing those two little ting in the back corner). If any of you could help me please.

[@rivalmindss]

This worked for like two days for me. Now it’s back to not reading. Sometimes it will read the disc if I boot it up with no disc and place it in after, and sometimes I have to swap discs using the previous method and once they read the disc, I swap to the preferred game. I’ve cleaned the lens again to no improvement. What do you think?

[@NASIRUB1]

I have a black Gamecube with the same problem, it's a chore to take it apart, but I might try this.

[@hunterweaver1439]

my GameCube will turn on (fan turns on and the power light turns on) but nothing else. I took it apart to see what happens with the laser and the spindle, and the laser didn't turn on nor did the spindle rotate. the gamecube fell off a couch before it wouldn't work, what do you suggest might be the issue? do I need a new optical drive assembly?

[@Anime10100]

awesome help video! follow step by step, the gamecube i bought as is for $7 working perfectly!

[@dirty_tuna]

This was such a coincidence, I was attempting a repair myself before clicking on this video and we used the exact same two test games.

[@Jeissecastillo]

I actually did this a long time ago. My GameCube was working great but unfortunately now, the games still boot up but after about a few hours of gameplay, I get an error where it stops reading the disc. So there is still another issue with my GameCube

[@jamesagent86]

Just did this on my GameCube and it appears to work as far as reading the disc at first. It loads up and plays for about five minutes and then I get the error message saying "cannot read disc" so then I reset it and it plays for about a minute before I get the same error. Is this a overheating issue?

[@SoullessCry]

I have no knowledge of this kind of stuff, but this does interest me. What would cause the laser to change from what it was when you first buy it new from a shop to cause this? Just general 'wear and tear' electronics style, or is it something the user does during their usage of the system? Great video by the way, very easy to follow without being too baffled haha. You make this look/sound easy !

[@Nemesis1986fly]

most likely the temperature. the conductivity of a material is always based on the temperature. the soldering iron used may become a bit less conductive as well

[@christopherstrebler6620]

Awesome video, Colin. I'm going to attempt your fix.

[@MrTocho07]

It worked! I turned down from 515 to 350. I have a DOL-001 gamecube. Thanks m8

[@JuanPabloSalamancaRodriguez]

I was actually looking for a disc repair guide and came across your video. Now I want to find a cheap broken gamecube to fix this. I'm doing a lot of electronic repairs on newer devices so I'm alway really excited to see how easy the disassembly of older devices is.

[@Crimson_Lycan]

how Nintendo made the spindle for the GameCube was pure genius... other top loading disc based consoles gave a risk of messed up discs if you're not careful...

[@ThisDoesNotCompute]

Yeah, I wish every top-loading drive had that eject button.

[@emilydangerfield]

I fixed mine ! I had to buy a 100 dollar multimeter to do this though because the cheaper ones wouldnt work for me. But I just returned afterward lol. Nice vid!

[@zzN8]

I have a modded japanese gamecube to be region free. Cleaning the lense fixed the issue of playing USA gamecube games. However, my USA action replay disc still did not play. After adjusting the potentiometer, it fixed this issue. Thank you!

[@cysrandomthoughts1087]

Cool video, had all the information i needed, thank you

[@galaxygaming04]

I made my own gamebit screwdriver by melting the end of a pen with a lighter and making a mold of the screw by pushing it into it

[@andreaflynn6047]

I really like your video. It is indeed helpful. I just can not see through your hands to the exact places to test the circuit board with the multimeter. Even though you gave a great explanation a forehand, I need a diagram to guide me through that. Using a multimeter is new to me and mine is a super cheap one( a world away from the Hioki you have). I did this fix without the multimeter reading and I now instead of a no disc error, I am having a disc reading error. Two steps forward and one step back. Help!

[@KojoGotMojo]

I agree, the guide is missing the most essential part of the process

[@UltraHylia]

My gamecube randomly says "No Disc" regardless of what disc it is, amd if I try again it usually fixes itself

[@NinjaCupcakeArt]

That's the problem mine is having too!

[@UltraHylia]

Ninja Cupcake Ik I'm 4 months late (sorry!) but mine eventually just fixed itself. I didn't do anything to it, the problem just stopped. Very strange.

[@bricegraham8256]

Wait when you tested the resistance on the potentiometer, where exactly did you place the test leads?

[@texaspatriot4215]

There are 3 contact points on the potentiometer the red lead of your multimeter goes to the top right point on the pot, the black lead goes to the single point on the bottom of the pot.

[@jclocks2157]

Good to know, already have the tools and always wanted a Gamecube, really useful info on the laser values. May give it a shot! Thanks!

[@soundcasualty]

Worked for me! Thank you for the walkthrough

[@chief1223]

91% IPA is usually sold alongside the 70% in the US. 70% is actually ideal for disinfecting apparently (look up the science on that one) but 91% is what I use for cleaning as the lower water content means it will evaporate faster.

[@Jurkblot]

I shit you not I found a gamecube outside of my apartment complex and am trying to repair its disk reader lmao

[@josephcordoba938]

I have a GameCube with the same failure mode as the one you showed in the video, so I’ll give it a shot and will definitely let you know the outcome... Excellent video indeed! Thank you!

[@vestorflipsters6491]

Thanks for the tutorial! I definitely learned something I can use in the future even if this didn’t solve my GC problem at this time. It makes it so that I won’t hesitate knowing I have more tricks up my sleeve to purchase a GC that’s not working properly.

[@zetiB]

So you’re telling me I have to take apart my whole GameCube and be nervous like crazy and turn the thing ever so slightly to fix it ok

[@サメ頭のくま]

Cool!! My brother told me about your channel and mentioned console maintenance and I got excited. I also watched your video game console OS video and really enjoyed it. I'm a mechanical engineering student so it's great to see someone with so much expertise discuss consoles at such a technical level. What is your academic background? it seems like you must have some computer science experience. Thanks for the great video!

[@MrMajorasmask101]

My laser disk on my purple one won't start up at all.

[@TorutheRedFox]

maybe a broken or disconnected power cable? did you drop it?

[@DreadedDave]

Same here buddy, but got it working. If the laser is so low powered or weak it wont even detect the disc + wont bother spinning it, you may have nothing wrong with the power

[@subtleshenanigans5983]

Thank you for this informative video! I’m gonna try cleaning the laser one more time. Unfortunately I have a tremor disorder, and don’t trust myself to take it apart, and currently I have no money so I’ll have to wait to take this to someone to fix.

[@Gehqster]

DOL-101 128 Ohms worked for me. For anyone needing to test out. Way below the 150 minimum but worked ! P.s 150 + didn’t work for me .

[@twon4635]

My gamecube won't read disc's. The laser doesnt move when the hatch switch is engaged. I adjusted the laser sensitivity to 208 ohms and nothing. Any suggestions?? Plz help!

[@ElWeyChingon]

Great…just plugged up my cube after a long time and it has trouble reading discs. I clean it with a qtip and it starts working. But whenever I turn it off and turn it back on after a couple of hours, it can’t read the discs again…

[@AgWhatsUp]

isn't .636 KOhms equal to 636 Ohms? Shouldn't you have tightened it then to reduce it to 200-500? Or am I reading that wrong

[@seth5737]

If it has problem reading disc it’s just a really old GameCube and probably dirty on the inside you just have to let it warm up after turing it on for like 5-10 min

[@Robowil]

Didn't help me. :(

[@georgehernandez4410]

I'm having problems with a certain game it plays and I'm able to play the game but then says error 5 min into the game

[@justiny2215]

Then the problem is the disk

[@izehumaheyiba2182]

Is the gamebit screwdriver is gonna fix my orange GameCube controller and black logetich controller and 2 Dualshock ps2 controllers to use again?

[@ElWeyChingon]

So I lowered mine from 500 plus ohms to 208 ohms. And it’s working great. Should I be worried about it burning out?

[@AlexS.117]

When I turn on I get this message: " you must first set the calendar ...", I have used many controls but it does not leave that screen, is it just the battery?

[@shannononeil2015]

My multimeter is not showing any resistance for the potentiometer. The multimeter is reading "OL." The laser actually lights up but it is just not reading the games

[@justaviewer4288]

My GameCube can turn on but won’t function. I try to switch to components but it says nothing is on. There’s no disk in it and it won’t go to the GameCube menu. What do I do?

[@TwoDelic]

When I first started the laser would come on, but when I adjusted the VR401, the laser wont move at all i dont know if that means if I burnt it out

[@goldenfreddy-gj5wy]

Thank you the video, my cube is now reading games, I didn't use the meter though, I'll give you a like and subscribe.

[@PeteSanctions]

I got my Gamecube new in box last year and it reads discs fine but I sporadically notice a loud "CLICK" sound while Loading or progressing through gameplay. It sounds like the disc is stopping and starting again and I've only tested it with one game thus far. What's weird is the gameplay itself is not adversely affected and the disc itself is clean. Even though the system is a year old I've had the games for a long time.