Gba sp broken L + R buttons, how to fix?

[SwooshBear]

I received a silver gba sp from a friend today at school. He told me that the L + R buttons did not work. When I got home, I put pokemon silver to test the shoulder buttons. They did not work, as he said. I looked online and the only thing I tried was to use a wet Q-tip and clean around the buttons. This did not work. Thats all I tried, and was wondering if there's anything else I could do. (I know at least noise knows what to do) I really wouldn't like to take it apart, but I will if the case may be. Thanks for your help!

[terrin707]

Blow them out with compressed air. It's worked for me in the past.

[scarper]

Eventually, those buttons will wither and die completely. Happened to my DS's L button. Tested its functionality by pressing the actual button structure itself with the DS case opened up, and it didn't work at all. And once that happens, thats how you can tell you need it replaced.

I soldered out the old button inards (basically a box with a round button, soldered in by two pegs) and soldered in the new one. Ever since, it worked perfectly until my entire DS cracked in half. Then I got a Lite.

Bottom line, you'll eventually have to solder in a new one/get a new system perhaps/get it fixed by someone else. Although I can't seem to find where to purchase such parts...