Running a claw crane machine business can be highly profitable — but only when your machines are in top condition. Poor machine performance drives customers away and hurts your revenue. Regular maintenance and knowing how to troubleshoot common faults is essential for stable earnings.
Below is a comprehensive claw machine repair guide covering the 13 most common faults and how to fix them.
Problem 01: Coin Cannot Be Inserted
- Check whether the coin matches the sample coin.
- Adjust the coin acceptor sensitivity — loosen it slightly.
- Check whether the coin acceptor wiring is receiving normal DC12V power supply.
Problem 02: Coin Inserted But Display Does Not Show Credits
- Check if the coin mode has been changed from 1-coin-1-play. Reset it to your required setting.
- If it cannot be reset, the main board DIP SW may be faulty.
Problem 03: Claw Opens and Cannot Close When Returning to Exit
- VR2 weak claw voltage is set too low. Increase the VR2 claw force voltage appropriately based on the size and weight of prizes.
Problem 04: Claw Will Not Grip
- Check whether the claw force fuse (CW) on the fuse board is blown.
- Check whether the claw coil winding has come loose from the terminal block.
- Claw force board or main board may be faulty.
Problem 05: Claw Grips Immediately After Power On
- The claw force coil may be short-circuited — replace it promptly.
- Claw force board or main board may be faulty.
Problem 06: Gantry Cannot Return to Home Position
- Turn off power and restart. If still not homing, check the rear stop SW or left stop SW — it may be stuck. Press and release by hand and listen for a clicking sound. Check for loose wiring.
- Check whether the aerial connector on the gantry cable is loose or making poor contact.
- Main board may be faulty.
Problem 07: Joystick Cannot Operate Normally
- Check whether the front/back/left/right joystick SW is faulty or wiring has come loose.
- Check whether PCB J5 and J9 connector pins are loose or not properly inserted.
- Check whether the gantry front/back/left/right stop SW is faulty or stuck.
- Check whether the directional motors are faulty, wiring has come loose, or gears are not meshing properly.
- Check whether the connector between gantry wiring and machine wiring is properly connected.
Problem 08: Claw Does Not Drop After Start Button Pressed — Only Drops When Timer Expires
- Check whether the start button is functioning normally.
- Check whether the start button wiring is loose or disconnected.
Problem 09: Start Button Works But Claw Does Not Drop Normally
- Check whether the up/down motor wiring has come loose.
- Check whether the up/down motor is faulty or gears are properly engaged.
- Check whether the winding is normal.
- Check whether PCB J9 connector pin on the gantry is loose.
Problem 10: Claw Closes and Retracts Before Reaching Prize Area
- Check whether the winding is tangled.
- Check whether the winding cable is too short.
- Check whether the lower stop SW is too sensitive or faulty.
Problem 11: Claw Does Not Release After Reaching Exit
- Check whether the rear stop SW or left stop SW is faulty or wiring has come loose.
- Check whether PCB J9 connector pin is loose.
Problem 12: Claw Does Not Rise After Prize Delivery — Gantry Returns Immediately
- Check whether the upper stop SW is being triggered accidentally.
- Upper stop SW may be faulty or wiring has come loose.
Problem 13: Claw Does Not Rise and Gantry Does Not Move After Prize Delivery
- Check whether the upper stop SW is being triggered accidentally.
- Upper stop SW may be faulty or wiring has come loose.
- Main board may be faulty.
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