What Is a Board Reset on a Claw Machine? How to Restart & Restore

A board reset is the process of restarting or restoring a claw machine's main control board to clear fault states, resolve software errors, or return settings to factory defaults. It is one of the first troubleshooting steps for any claw machine that is unresponsive, displaying persistent error codes, or behaving erratically.

Types of Board Reset

Reset Type What It Does When to Use
Soft reset (power cycle) Powers machine off and on; clears temporary fault states First response to any error or freeze
Fault log clear Clears error codes without changing settings After fixing the underlying fault
Settings reset Returns all operator settings to factory defaults After buying a used machine or misconfiguration
Full factory reset Wipes all settings, counters, and fault history Major board fault or pre-sale preparation

How to Perform a Board Reset

Soft Reset (Power Cycle)

  1. Switch the machine off using the main power switch
  2. Wait 30 seconds for capacitors to discharge
  3. Switch the machine back on
  4. Test operation with a free play coin

Settings or Factory Reset

  1. Back up current settings first — photograph all operator menu screens or export via USB if supported
  2. Enter operator menu → navigate to System or Reset section
  3. Select Settings Reset or Factory Reset
  4. Confirm the reset when prompted
  5. Re-enter all operator settings manually or restore from USB

When Should You Reset vs. Replace the Board?

Situation Action
Machine frozen, unresponsive Soft reset (power cycle) first
Persistent error code after fixing fault Clear fault log in operator menu
Settings corrupted or unknown Factory reset, re-enter settings
Board doesn't power on Check PSU output voltage before replacing board
Board powers on but motors don't respond Check connectors, then consider board replacement
Reset doesn't resolve the fault Replace board

Always Back Up Settings Before a Factory Reset

A factory reset erases all configured settings including claw strength, win rate, play timer, and motor speeds. Always photograph the operator menu screens or export settings via USB before performing a factory reset. Re-entering settings from memory is a common source of misconfiguration after reset.

👉 Shop Replacement Control Boards
👉 Knowledge Center — Board configuration and wiring guides

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