Welcome to my troubleshoot & repair guide for Dreamcast game consoles. I have assembled much needed information about how to fix some common Dreamcast problems. This guide was created many years ago... the information is somewhat obsolete so I am giving it away for free!

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Frequently Asked Questions/Problems and Fixes

Laser Cleaning Procedures

Controller Port Troubleshooting

Controller Port Repair

Disk Reading Errors

Power Supply & No Power On

Intermediate Turn Off and Shut Downs

Taking Care of Your Dreamcast

A can of compressed air is your best friend when it comes to maintenance on your Dreamcast. Whenever you can (maybe once a month or so) you should pop the flip top up and spray out the laser with some compressed air. If you have the time, open the system up fully, and blow out the entire mainboard. You'd be surprised how much dust, dirt and pet hair can accumulate in one month.

Turn your game console off after each use. Running your Dreamcast for prolonged periods of time can add to the wear and tear of your system, and the systems's internal components. Overheating and freezing up and no turn on can sometimes be attributed to leaving a console on idle over night.

Keep your disks clean. Put your game disks back in their cases after each use. Dust and dirt can accumulate on the game disk when it is left out. When you put that same game back into your Dreamcast and turn it on- all that dust and grime becomes property of your Dreamcast and can gum up the innards or the console.

If at all possible, do not enclose your Dreamcast console inside an entertainment center unless it has an open back and can provide good air circulation. Keeping your console enclosed without good circulation can lead to the mainboard overheating, and can render your power supply unit or mainboard inoperable. The same goes for leaving your console on the floor- if at all possible do not back the unit up against the wall and block the fan.

Trying to play copied games? Shouldn't be an immediate problem, but pressed CD's from the factory and copied CD's are read differently by the laser. Over time, playing copied CD's can wear down your laser from strain. Lay off the CD-R's if you value your game console.

Common Dreamcast Problems and Fixes/FAQ

We suggest that you always take proper care of your Dreamcast. This means powering it off when its not being used, and storing it in a safe place. Do not leave it out in the open, or up on a shelf or piece of furniture with the cords hanging low. Tripping on the cords and causing the Dreamcast to come crashing down is probably the most common reported cause for broken systems. Remember to replace your games back in their jewel cases/holders to prevent dust and scratches on the CD's from hindering your Dreamcast's performance. Also, it is common for dust to transfer from the CD to the Dreamcast, through playing dusty games. A can of pressurized air is very useful when the Dreamcast tray is carrying more dust then you are comfortable allowing. Feel free to blow it out once or twice a month. If you are comfortable with opening the Dreamcast enclosure then it also can be "air dusted" once every 6 months.

Remember, you open your Dreamcast at your own risk. Opening the Dreamcast will void your warranty every time!

My Dreamcast makes awful sounds while reading my CD's

Causes:

1. The CD may have some scratches and the CD laser on the Dreamcast is having problems reading it.

2. You're using a copy of the CD you want to play.

3. The position of the Dreamcast console is not level and is not allowing the Dreamcast to spin properly and in a balanced manner.

FIX:

1. Dirty disks are quite common. Remember to put your CD back in its holder/case after use. AND NEVER PLACE A CD DOWN- INFORMATION SIDE DOWN! This causes scratches that will cause the laser to have problems reading your disk.

2. Don’t play with copied CD's!! You will burn your motor out by trying to read these disks! Once and a while you might get away with it, but if its causing your Dreamcast to go haywire- then trash the copied CD!

3. Dreamcast was designed for one position. Horizontal. Dont try the upside down or sideways technique on this game console.

Symptom:

My Dreamcast unit isn’t turning on! (I push the button, but the red light doesn’t light!) and the CD doesn’t spin.... It’s just DEAD!)

Cause:

1. The cord isn’t properly plugged-in to your outlet

2. Your Dreamcast’s power supply is damaged

3. You plugged it into the wrong outlet

4. There’s no electricity

5. Somehow, it’s just not getting power!

FIX:

1. Make sure that the plug of the Dreamcast is firmly and exactly plugged into your outlet.

2. This is a common mistake among many. First of all, before plugging in your Dreamcast into an outlet, check the voltage of your Dreamcast. Most Dreamcast are for 110/120 volts. If you mistakenly plugged it into a voltage higher than that (i.e. 220), the Dreamcast will take in excessive electricity and thus burn out. Most likely, the power supply is damaged.

3. Sometimes you get frustrated, but it’s just because there’s no electricity coming out of the outlet. It’s either there’s a blackout in your area that you now know of, or the fuse for that outlet is broken (your other appliances in that particular part of your house isn’t working too). Call your Electricity provider if there’s a blackout. If not, call an electrician to fix your fuse. Unplug the Dreamcast during this process.

4. Be clever, look around. Is the on/off switch on your wall set to "off"? Simple problems call for simple solutions.

Symptom:

My Dreamcast is on, thelight is lit. I have a CD inside and its spinging as normal, but I don’t see anything happening on my TV.

Causes:

1. You’ve made the wrong connection to your TV

2. You didn’t make a connection to your TV

3. At worst, your TV isn’t compatible with your Dreamcast (PAL/NTSC issue)

FIX:

1. Check your connection with your TV. If you have a S-Video cable Connection for your TV and your Dreamcast, check it properly so that Video cable from your Dreamcast is at the Video-in port in your TV. If this doesn’t work. Go to #3.

2. You probably just overlooked something small. Connect your TV to your Dreamcast by following the instructions in your manual.

3. OK, TV/VCR/AUX/. The most common setting is to plug directly into your S-Video connection at the back of your TV. Depending on how you have your cable and VCR hooked up, you may need to get into your TV options and set it to "AUX" or "VCR" whatever or however you have it configured. Be sure to check run through AUX/VCR/TV/VCR, you should be able to get the game to show on at least 1 of those settings.

4. You bought a European Dreamcast?! (PAL standard, Whereas U.S. is NTSC) Not compatible. The only option to fix this (I've heard but not been able to replicate) is to "MOD" the Games using a Dreamcast emulator, on your computer. Then burning the MODded game back to CD. Do a search on the WEB for "PAL NTSC Dreamcast"

Symptom:

The sound is quite scratchy or has no sound at all

Causes:

1. Bad audio connection or no audio connection to the TV

2. TV sound system settings

3. Dreamcast sound system settings

4. Damaged TV or Dreamcast audio system

FIX:

1. Check to see if your Dreamcast’s audio cable is properly connected to the audio-in port of your TV.

2. Check your TV audio settings. If there is sound on your normal channels.

3. Check your Dreamcast if the game/DVD’s audio options are properly set.

4. Check your TV's sound system.

5. Ask Sega (always ask Sega, whenever possible)

Symptom:

The buttons suddenly stopped responding. But just before it happened they work perfectly.

auses:

1. The Controller cord is loose

FIX:

1. Unplug the controller from the controller port and then plug it in again. Make sure that the controller port connector is firmly inserted into the controller port slot. This should fix the problem. If not try and plugging a different controller (that you know works) into the same slot. If the problem goes away, then you know the wiring in the first controller may be faulty/loose. (due to winding and pulling on the cord). If the problem does not stop, then your Dreamcast port connection piece may be faulty/not soldered/broken. -either pull it apart and have a look (for seasoned elec techs only) OR call Sega and arrange for them to fix it for you.

Symptom:

Dreamcast Game freezes during play.

Causes:

Overheating (easy fix)

FIX:

1. *Could need a powersupply unit.

2. *Fan could not be working properly, causing the chips to overheat.

Symptom:

I have a modified Dreamcast and all seems to work fine then suddenly, every game in my collection crashes. And that includes all of my original games.

Causes:

1. You Modded your Dreamcast!!!

FIX:

1. Whoops. You now own a completely worthless piece of Sega memorabilia! (Sell it on ebay and get $10 for it) Seriously, though. If it never worked once you modified it, then you could have modified it incorrectly, or there could be a solder short. However, if it once played, but now it does not.. then the "modification" could have slowly fried a chip in your Dreamcast rendering it useless now. I'd still open it up and check for the obvious.

I dont support MODs. I wont, I cant. I dont have the time to help troubleshoot for hours on a game console that has been MODded and internally fried. "Uh.. my Dreamcast wont power on", so I try ripping my hair out trying to help some poor kid, only to find out he modded it, destroyed the insides, and wasted 3 hours of my time. Nope. I dont do MODs.

GAMES TROUBLESHOOTING

In here, you’ll find troubleshooting tips about games. This includes CD's and Dreamcast games.

My game for Dreamcast isn’t working!

Causes:

1. The CD has a lot of scratches

2. The Dreamcast is worn out due to extensive use

3. You’re using bootleg CD's

4. You boofed and forgot to insert a game! (or it’s upside down!)

FIX:

1. Take good care of your CD's. I suggest a cleaning kit. I also suggest that you never place a CD down information-side-down! EVER! Always put them back in their holders when finished. Likely, you probably have some scratches and dust on your game. Remove it and clean it if it is dusty. If it’s extremely scratched, try cleaning it, and if it still don’t work then trash the game.

2. This often happens if you use your Dreamcast for 12-15 hours straight per day. That only means that you have to get a life. Ahem. Anyway, let a Sony representative check it for you if there’s something needed to be repaired. Then, do what he/she suggests.

3. Buy original games. Its illegal to copy games and "trade" them about.

4. Make sure a game is inside! Doh!

Symptom:

I played a game and it worked fine. Then, when I put in a new game, it suddenly hangs. (other games too!)

Causes:

1. Memory CACHE Problem

2. The Lens is damaged

FIX:

1. Oftentimes, data on the memory called "cache" are left intact inside. It should be re-set with you turn off your Dreamcast and then turn it on again. Sometimes, it corrupts new data and the game can't put graphic (or even program files) data on the memory and thus, you can't play the game. A couple of resets might do the trick. But again, don't forget to ask a Sony representative.

2. Unplug it from the power source. Let it sit for 10-30 seconds (to allow the electronic components to fully discharge) Now reboot!

3. OK, if your still having problems there may be a serious problem with the Dreamcast. Either the processor or one of the supporting RAM,ROM or BIAS chips has been internally shorted or fried out over time.

PORTS TROUBLESHOOTING

Here, I’ll help you troubleshoot some problems concerning the different ports in the system. Memory Card Slot, Controller, USB port, and Ilink IEEE port.

Symptoms:

Memory Card, Controller, USB/Ilink peripheral can’t be inserted into the Dreamcast/Dreamcast Controller.

Causes:

1. Your peripheral isn’t intended for the Dreamcast

2. The port is physically damage or the plug of the peripheral

FIX:

1. Dreamcast peripherals will most definitely fit in the slots. Example would be the controller. Even if Sega didn’t make the controller, but it is intended for the Dreamcast, it must fit in. (Its not healthy to use 2nd party controllers or memory cards! You can burn out your controller port!)

2. Something is preventing the plug from fully connecting with the port pins. Take a dry clean toothbrush and try to go over the contacts to free anything that might be stuck in there/ preventing the plug from securely connecting.

Symptoms:

My peripheral isn’t working but it’s plugged in correctly. Causes:

1. Your peripheral isn’t compatible with the Dreamcast

2. Your peripheral is damaged

3. The port it plugs into is damaged

FIX:

1. Check your peripheral’s documentation first if it do work for your Dreamcast. Some are said to be compatible but not working. It’s supposed to work. But it doesn’t. If it isn’t ask your retailer what they can do To help you. Most of the time, they gladly change the merchandise As long as you come back within just a day or 2 from purchase.

2. If your peripheral is used quite long already, it might be damaged and thus, can’t be used for the Dreamcast anymore. Ask the manufacturer of your peripheral for advice. Or, do #3.

3. Clean the port first with a dry and clean cloth or dry clean toothbrush. If it still doesn’t work, try to check it on another console. If it works on another console, then your Dreamcast’s port is damaged. If the doesn’t work on the other system, your peripheral is damaged.

1. You modded your Playstation!!! Doh!

FIX:

1. Whoops. You now own a completely worthless piece of Sony memorabilia! (Sell it on ebay and get $10 for it) Seriously, though. If it never worked once you modified it, then you could have modified it incorrectly, or there could be a solder short. However, if it once played, but now it does not.. then the "modification" could have slowly fried a chip in your Playstation rendering it useless now. I'd still open it up and check for the obvious.

I dont support MODs. I wont, I cant. I dont have the time to help troubleshoot for hours on a game console that has been MODded and internally fried. "Uh.. my Playstation wont power on", so I try ripping my hair out trying to help some poor kid, only to find out he illegally modded it, destroyed the insides, and wasted 3 hours of my time. Nope. I dont do MODs.

On to the next section.....

Sega, Sega Dreamcast and their accessories are registered trademarks of Sega. This informational list is copyrighted Aug 15, 2002 by William Schott and may not be replicated, altered, sold or distributed without written permission from the author.

Please note that attempting to open your Dreamcast game console will void the warranty. Use this guide to work on a Dreamcast at your own risk. The author is not responsible for damage you may have occurred by following this manual. Nor do we guarantee that by following this manual that your Dreamcast be fixed.

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                           By William Schott