Most Common Arcade Problems
Arcade games are a lot of fun, but when something goes wrong, it can create problems for your business and your game room. That’s where our talented team of technicians comes in. They keep your games running smoothly, troubleshoot common issues, and help extend the life of your machines.
In this blog, one of our lead arcade technicians, Jim Cummings, answers some frequently asked questions about arcade game repair, arcade machine issues, and what most people in the arcade community experience when their games start acting up, giving you all the info you need to understand these common problems.
Why is my arcade machine freezing/resetting while in attract mode or play mode?
Your +5VDC may be low. Check the voltage at the Jamma connector to make sure your +5vdc is at least +5.15VDC. If it is a hard drive-based game, this can also be signs of your hard drive beginning to fail. Many people notice this when their machine resets while they play, especially on older machines. Sometimes replacing power supplies can help restore the game to working order.
Why did half of my buttons stop working on my control panel?
Check for broken ground connections on your control panel. It is very common for female quick-connects to have the wires fall out of them, and the grounds are daisy-chained through all the buttons and switches. This can cause all of your buttons to stop working or some of them. This can be a cost-effective repair that most people can handle with basic tools if they’re handy. If you’d rather have a professional handle it, the AVS arcade technicians are ready to help. Contact us today to schedule your repair.
Why did my claw machine go into an error during the self-test at power-on?
Over time, the limit switch arms will bend away from what they are supposed to come into contact with from normal use. An easy fix is to adjust these arms with a pair of pliers to make sure they are fully actuating the switch. This problem shows up a lot in the arcade service and repair world, and most arcade machine owners learn to test switches, check schematics, and monitor their machines for wear. Knowing how to fix these small issues can extend the life of your machine and save money in the long run.
Why do I get more than one ball when starting a game on my pinball machine?
Over time, the shooting lane switch arm will slowly bend down due to use and can cause your shooting lane switch not to actuate properly. When the machine does not get this signal, it will keep giving balls to the player. Sometimes it makes sense to replace the switch arm, especially if you find a good replacement part.
Why does my basketball machine not count baskets during play?
Most newer basketball machines use an optical sensor and reflective tape to count baskets. Over time, there can be a buildup of dust on the sensor or reflective tape that may need to be cleaned off. The reflective tape can also wear away from normal use, causing the sensor to read as always blocked, which can give an error on the machine. Another thing that can cause this is the hoop sensor failing.
Cost-Effective Arcade Game Repair Near You
Have additional questions? Contact our team today, and we’ll get you connected with one of our arcade technicians.
