C:\>ConventionalMemory.io

Repair guide

PS1 will not turn on: voltage check, power switch and power jack

Check the supply's mains rating, then clean the power switch and reflow cracked power jack joints, all with the unit unplugged.

Open the interactive checklist Tick off each step as you go. It saves in your browser.

Power · Careful · about 75 minutes. Worth doing. Reports say this fix helps on many machines.

You are in the right place if: The console is hard to turn on, switches off by itself or does not respond to the power button.

Before you start

  • Do not touch the power supply board while the console is connected to mains.
  • If the supply capacitors have failed, stop. Do not work on live mains.
  • Check fuse values against your board before replacing.

Board revisions and models

Board revisions differ. A mod on one PS1 failed because a pad that is ground on one revision is not on another, which blew a fuse.

Parts you may need

  • PS1 power switch. if corroded Amazon · eBay
  • DeoxIT contact treatment. switch contacts Amazon · eBay

Tools

Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. These links only search by name. Disclosure

Step by step

  1. Verify mains compatibility Do not mix supplies built for different mains voltages.
  2. Unplug and wait Wait before opening. Internal supply parts can hold a charge.
  3. Open the console Photograph the board and connectors.
  4. Inspect the power switch Look for corrosion on the contacts.
  5. Clean the switch Open the switch tabs, scrape contacts with a fibreglass pen, wipe with alcohol, apply contact treatment and grease the plunger.
  6. Inspect the power jack Look for hairline cracks around the jack's solder joints.
  7. Reflow the jack Add fresh solder to each joint.
  8. Check the fuse With power off, check continuity of any blown fuse near the supply.
  9. Reassemble and test Boot and watch for stable power.

Tips, tales and maybes

Found in write-ups and forum threads. These are other people's reports, not tested by us.

  • Watch out (Medium confidence). Plugging an NTSC-J console into a PAL power supply destroyed the main filter capacitor. Source
  • Story (Medium confidence). A PS1 with cracked power jack joints was fixed by reflowing them. Source
  • Story (Medium confidence). A blown fuse on a PS1 after a mod caused no video or audio. Fusing current rather than continuous rating mattered. Source

Guides we used

We wrote the steps in our own words from these. They have the photos and the full detail, so please read them and support their authors.

Boards and models vary, so check what is in front of you. A repair can involve hot tools, chemicals and, on some machines, dangerous voltages. You do it at your own risk.

More