Troubleshooting Common Arcade Game Issues

Troubleshooting is a methodical, systematic approach to diagnosing and repairing your equipment. It is important to keep your games working as the manufacturer designed them to maximize your earnings.

Troubleshooting Card Readers

Most of our customers are now using card reader systems. Embed, Intercard, Semnox, and Amusement Connect are some of the major brands you may recognize. The majority of our technical calls are all the same. “When I swipe my card, nothing happens.” Here is how to tackle that problem:

1. Remove the card reader unit from the game.
2. Connect a ticket emulator to the game.
3. Credit the game by jumping the coin wire to ground.
4. Play the game and see if the ticket payout is correct.
5. If the game works as intended, then the problem lies in the card reader or the wiring between the game and the card reader.
6. Inspect the wires going to the card reader. Oftentimes, the wires become pinched in the coin door. The wires can be cut or damaged. This can be prevented by dressing your wires correctly. The excess wire should be held together with zip ties and attached to stationary points on the coin door.
7. If the wires are damaged, you may need to repair them or even replace the entire harness, depending on the severity of the damage.
8. If the wires are intact, replace the card swiper with a different unit.
9. Make sure it is programmed the same as the unit that you are replacing.
10. Take the defective unit and send it back to the manufacturer for exchange. You should have surplus card reader units to replace units on the floor as they malfunction.

Troubleshooting Games

If the card reader is working correctly or you have a game problem not associated with the card reader system, try the following steps:

1. Start at the outlet. Make sure you have AC power at the outlet.
2. Test the power cord. Make sure you have AC voltage getting to the machine. I have had AC power cords spontaneously fail with no signs of external damage.
3. Many machines have a master fuse at the machine's entry point. Use your multimeter to test the fuse and make sure it is good.
4. Test for AC power getting to the game’s power supply. Use your digital multimeter to ensure you have lower DC voltages going from the power supply to the other components in the game. If you have AC voltage going into the power supply but no DC voltage leaving from the power supply, the power supply is bad and needs to be replaced.
5. Check for power at the main board. Make sure the DC power is getting to the board. You may have bad wiring. Bad crimps or damaged wires result in low or no voltage. Over time, wires degrade, and this results in additional resistance.
6. If the board is not working properly. It may be broken. You may also have a broken component in the game, causing a current draw that shuts down the board or the power supply.
7. Turn off the game and unplug everything you can from the board. Will the board function without anything else plugged in? Do you have any indicator lights lit?
8. Make sure not to “hot swap” when you unplug or plug back in ANY wires; make sure that the game is off!
9. Gradually add wire connectors one at a time and see when the board stops working. Use a wiring diagram or schematic to figure out what the harness you recently connected services. Trace the wires yourself if those resources aren’t available.
10. You won’t always see physical signs of electrical damage, but burning smells or charred electronics are definitely an indication of a problem. Boards can fail, but it is most likely caused by an electrical short elsewhere in the system. Make sure you find the problem before you replace a burned board. Otherwise, you will just damage the new one that you replace.

Additional Tips

• Keep a log of repairs: This will help you track down recurring problems and identify areas where your games may need preventive maintenance.
• Read the manual for the game. Most manuals have great guidance for troubleshooting and preventive maintenance.
• Invest in diagnostic tools: A good multimeter and ticket emulator can be invaluable for troubleshooting electrical problems.
• Stay current on industry trends: Attend trade shows* and read industry publications to learn about new troubleshooting techniques and repair methods.

Following these tips, you can keep your arcade games running smoothly and provide your customers with a fun and enjoyable experience.

*Betson Technical University is part of Betson’s commitment to helping arcades be successful. A key component of a successful Family Entertainment Center (FEC) is arcade equipment support because broken equipment means you aren’t generating revenue. Betson’s skilled, experienced in-house technicians conduct the training, sharing their knowledge, experience, and best practices. These two-day courses provide extensive arcade game room training for all position levels. Whether they have years of experience or are new to the industry, your technicians will take something away from our two-day courses.

By Bryan Corbett - Technical Training and Support Manager - Betson Enterprises