Repair and Resell: Turning Broken Video Game Consoles Into Profit

Ever opened your closet and found an old PlayStation 4 with a cracked case, or an Xbox One that won’t turn on? You’re not alone. Millions of broken consoles sit in drawers, garages, and attics across the country. But here’s the thing: broken video game consoles aren’t trash. They’re cash waiting to be unlocked.

Most people think broken means worthless. That’s what GameStop told them when they stopped buying faulty hardware in 2023. But online buyers like Gadget GoGo, Gadget Traders, and Decluttr don’t see broken-they see opportunity. These companies specialize in buying damaged consoles, no matter how bad they look. Cracked screen? Liquid damage? Won’t power on? They’ll still pay you.

What Makes a Broken Console Worth Anything?

Not every broken console is created equal. Buyers care about the model, the type of damage, and whether parts can be salvaged. The most common issues they accept:

• Power button doesn’t work
• Overheating or fan noise
• HDMI or USB ports loose or broken
• Optical drive won’t read discs
• Controllers won’t sync
• Screen or audio output dead
• Green screen of death (PS4/PS5)
• Liquid damage (coffee, water, soda)

Here’s the reality: a working PS5 might sell for $300. The same console with a cracked case and no power? Gadget Traders offers $37. That’s a 87.75% drop in value-but $37 is still cash in your pocket. And if you have three of them? That’s $111. No effort, no hassle. Just ship it.

Why Repairing Isn’t Always the Answer

Some people try to fix broken consoles before selling. It sounds smart-spend $50 to fix it, sell it for $250. But the math rarely works.

Microsoft’s out-of-warranty repair costs for Xbox consoles are brutal:

• Blu-Ray drive replacement: $85
• Laser repair: $65
• Hard drive recovery: $50
• Won’t turn on (diagnostic + repair): $50+
• Error codes (varies): $50+

Fix a single Xbox One with a dead drive and overheating issue? You’re looking at $135 in parts and labor. The resale value of a repaired Xbox One? Maybe $120. You lose $15. And that’s if you’re good at soldering. Most people aren’t.

Same goes for PS4s. Replacing the disc drive alone costs $70-$100. The console’s resale value after repair? $150-$180. You’re barely breaking even. And that’s assuming you have the tools, time, and skill.

Here’s the rule: if the repair cost is more than 40% of the console’s current market value, don’t fix it. Sell it broken.

How to Get the Most Money for Your Broken Console

You don’t need to be a tech wizard. Just follow these steps:

1. Identify the model. Know if it’s a PS4 Slim, Xbox One S, or Nintendo Switch OLED. The exact model changes the price.
2. Clean it off. Wipe away dust, wipe the case with a microfiber cloth. No need to deep clean, but remove visible grime. Buyers notice.
3. Take a photo. Snap a clear picture of the damage-cracks, stains, broken ports. Be honest. Buyers check photos before quoting.
4. Get quotes from 2-3 sites. Gadget GoGo, Gadget Traders, and Decluttr all have instant quote tools. Enter your model, select the damage, and get a price in under 60 seconds.
5. Choose the highest offer. Most offer free shipping labels. Print it, tape it on the box, drop it at FedEx or UPS.
6. Get paid. Payment comes via PayPal, direct deposit, or check in 3-7 days.

Pro tip: Don’t sell to pawn shops or Cash Converters unless you need cash today. They often pay 30-50% less than online buyers and may only give you store credit.

Don’t Forget the Games

Broken console? You’ve probably got a stack of scratched game discs too. Most people toss them. Big mistake.

Disc resurfacing is cheap, simple, and surprisingly effective. A $20 two-pack sanding/polishing kit from Amazon works wonders. Run the disc through the machine 2-3 times, polish it with the included compound, and boom-your scratched copy of Red Dead Redemption 2 reads like new.

Sell those resurfaced discs on Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Price them at $2-$5 each. That’s pure profit. One reseller in Ohio told me they cleared $400 in three months just from resurfacing 120 discs. No repair needed. Just time and a $25 tool.

Where to Sell (and Where Not To)

GameStop stopped buying broken consoles in 2023. No exceptions. They don’t want the risk, the cost, or the hassle.

That leaves you with three solid options:

• Gadget GoGo - Specializes in PlayStation and Nintendo. Pays instantly via PayPal. Free shipping. Accepts liquid damage.
• Gadget Traders - Buys Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. Offers quotes within minutes. Pays via direct deposit or check.
• Decluttr - Accepts anything with minor damage. Even if it won’t boot. Pays PayPal or Venmo.

These companies are built for this. They don’t judge. They don’t haggle. They just pay.

What You Can’t Sell

Some consoles won’t qualify:

• Non-US models (region-locked consoles from Europe or Asia)
• Missing parts (no power cord, no controller, no disc drive)
• Extremely corroded units (long-term water damage that ate the motherboard)
• Modified or modded consoles (custom firmware, jailbroken)

If your console has been opened and tampered with, most buyers will decline it. Stick to stock units.

Environmental Bonus

Every broken console you sell instead of trash is one less piece of e-waste in a landfill. These companies don’t just resell-they recycle parts. Controllers get rebuilt. Motherboards get stripped for copper. Cases get shredded for plastic reuse.

You’re not just making money. You’re helping reduce the environmental footprint of gaming.

Start Small, Think Big

You don’t need a warehouse full of consoles to start. Just grab the broken ones you already own. Your uncle’s old Xbox? Your roommate’s PS3 that died in 2020? Your kid’s Switch with the cracked screen? Bundle them. Ship them. Get paid.

One guy in Portland turned three broken consoles into $187 last month. He didn’t lift a screwdriver. He didn’t spend a dime. He just sent them off.

That’s the power of this model. It’s simple. It’s honest. And it’s working right now. If you’ve got a broken console lying around, you’ve got $20-$200 in your hands. All you have to do is click ‘Get Quote’.