SNES:Power Supply Fuse

The most common cause for a no-power condition on an SNES or Super Famicom is a blown fuse, which was implemented to protect the console from improper power supplies or a short to ground. Fortunately, this fuse is easy to locate and just as easy to replace with only basic soldering skills.

Materials and Tools

• 4.5 mm gamebit screwdriver
• Soldering iron
• Leaded solder
• Flux (optional but highly recommended)
• Desoldering braid (optional)
• Tweezers
• 125V 1.5 amp Pico axial fast-blow fuse (for original SNES or Super Famicom; do NOT use a slow-blow fuse!)
• 125V 1.5 amp Nano fast-blow fuse (for New-Style SNES and Super Famicom Jr.; do NOT use a slow-blow fuse!)
• Flush cutters

Procedure (for original model)

1. Flip over the console and unscrew the six 4.5 mm gamebit screws securing the case. Remove the top case and set it aside.
2. With the top of the console removed, locate the fuse. It is located directly across from the 7805 voltage regulator and next to the power switch connector.
3. To remove the old fuse, use a pair of tweezers to grab the fuse itself. At the same time, carefully apply your soldering iron to one pad at a time and lift the corresponding end of the fuse up.
   • Optionally, you can use desoldering braid to remove the old solder from the fuse pads, but this is not strictly necessary.
4. Use a pair of flush cutters to cut the leads of the new fuse to length. They must not go beyond the pads on the motherboard, or you risk causing a short and blowing the new fuse in the process. The orientation of the fuse does not matter.
5. Solder each end of the new fuse onto each pad. Apply a small amount of fresh solder or flux as you heat each pad.
6. Test the console and ensure that it powers on properly, then reassemble the top shell.

Procedure (for New-Style SNES and Super Famicom Jr.)

1. Flip over the console and unscrew the four 4.5 mm gamebit screws securing the case. Remove the top case and set it aside.
2. With the top of the console removed, locate the fuse. It is a surface mount component marked "F1" between the power jack and 7805.
3. To remove the old fuse, load each pad with solder and use your soldering iron to alternate adding heat on each pad. Carefully remove the fuse off the motherboard with tweezers once it begins moving. Use desoldering braid to remove the old solder.
4. Place the new fuse on the pads. The orientation of the fuse does not matter.
5. Solder each end of the new fuse onto each pad using a small amount of solder.
   • It is highly recommended to use flux as it will help the solder flow much better.
6. Test the console and ensure that it powers on properly, then reassemble the top shell.