Shooting Game Machine Failure & Troubleshooting Guide (For Operators)

Arcade shooting game machines are some of the highest-earning attractions in Family Entertainment Centers (FECs), shopping malls, theme parks, and game rooms. However, like all coin-operated equipment, shooting machines require regular maintenance. When failures happen and the machine goes offline, operators lose revenue every hour.

This guide provides a professional troubleshooting walkthrough based on BLEE’s 10+ years of experience manufacturing and servicing arcade shooting game machines, including HD gun shooters, 2-player shooting cabinets, 4-player theater shooting games, and VR shooting simulators.

Use this reference to quickly diagnose issues, perform on-site fixes, and keep your shooting game machines running smoothly.

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1. Machine Doesn’t Power On

Possible Causes

• Power cable not connected properly

• Fuse blown

• Power supply failure

• Mainboard not receiving voltage

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Check the power plug and wall outlet.

2. Inspect the fuse inside the power box; replace if burnt.

3. Test the 12V and 5V outputs from the power supply.

4. Ensure the mainboard (PCB) is properly connected.

If voltage is unstable, BLEE recommends upgrading to an industrial-grade power supply.

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2. Gun Controller Not Working / No Response

This is one of the most common shooting arcade machine failures.

Possible Causes

• Gun sensor dirty or blocked

• Gun wiring loose

• Trigger button microswitch damaged

• Gun board failure

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Clean the gun sensor lens with a microfiber cloth.

2. Check all wires from the gun to the I/O board.

3. Test the trigger switch—replace if no signal.

4. Swap gun ports to confirm if the problem follows the gun or stays with the machine.

BLEE offers universal replacement light guns compatible with most cabinets.

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3. Screen Displays “No Signal”

Common Causes

• HDMI/VGA cable disconnected

• Loose mainboard connections

• Resolution mismatch

• Faulty display or PCB

How to Fix

1. Reseat the HDMI/VGA cable on both ends.

2. Restart the machine and ensure the mainboard boots.

3. Try a different cable or monitor port.

4. Check PCB indicator lights—no lights may mean mainboard failure.

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4. Game Freezes / Crashes While Playing

Causes

• Overheated computer/PCB

• Faulty RAM

• Corrupted game files

• Loose wiring

Troubleshooting

1. Ensure proper ventilation inside the cabinet.

2. Check cooling fans on the motherboard.

3. Reconnect HDD/SSD or replace USB game dongle.

4. Reinstall the game system if corrupted.

BLEE recommends dust cleaning every 30–45 days to prevent overheating.

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5. Gun Aiming is Inaccurate (Calibration Issue)

Typical Symptoms

• Players cannot hit targets accurately

• Shots appear offset or delayed

How to Fix

1. Enter the calibration mode via service menu.

2. Recalibrate the gun by shooting the on-screen points.

3. Ensure the gun sensor and screen glass are clean.

4. Reduce ambient lighting—strong reflections affect accuracy.

For IR-style guns, avoid bright LED floodlights directly facing the screen.

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6. Coin Acceptor Not Registering Credits

Possible Issues

• Dirty or blocked coin path

• Misaligned sensor

• Faulty acceptor / wiring

• Currency mismatch

Steps to Resolve

1. Clean the acceptor channel.

2. Check the wiring to the I/O board.

3. Reconfigure currency settings.

4. Replace the coin acceptor if sensors fail.

BLEE provides universal multi-coin acceptors widely used in FECs worldwide.

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7. Sound Not Working or Too Quiet

Causes

• Loose audio cable

• Speaker damage

• Amplifier failure

• Volume set to low in settings menu

Fix

1. Increase volume in game settings.

2. Check speaker cables and connectors.

3. Test the amplifier board.

4. Replace damaged speakers.

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8. VR Shooting Game Machine Failures (VR Category)

Common VR Issues

• Headset tracking loss

• Missing game files

• Motion platform not responding

• VR gun controller disconnects

Troubleshooting

1. Restart SteamVR/inside game software.

2. Check all tracking sensors.

3. Recalibrate motion platform.

4. Reinstall the VR game files.

BLEE’s VR shooting game machines include remote cloud diagnostics, making troubleshooting faster.

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9. Preventive Maintenance Checklist (Recommended Every 2–4 Weeks)

To reduce downtime and extend machine lifespan:

• Clean gun sensors and screen

• Check cabinet ventilation

• Inspect wiring and connectors

• Update game firmware

• Test coin/card payment system

• Lubricate moving parts if applicable

• Remove dust from fans and PCB

Regular maintenance ensures your shooting game machines remain profitable and attractive to players.

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10. When Should You Contact a Professional Technician?

Call BLEE or a technician if you notice:

• Burning smell

• Frequent power resets

• Cracked screen

• PCB not booting

• Gun aiming impossible even after calibration

• VR game repeatedly crashing

BLEE provides full after-sales technical support, spare parts, and remote guidance for worldwide customers.

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FAQ

1. Why do shooting game guns frequently stop responding?
Most issues are caused by dirty sensors, loose cables, or microswitch failure in the trigger.

2. What should I do if the screen shows “No Signal”?
Check HDMI/VGA cables, reboot the PCB, and verify the power supply to the mainboard.

3. How often should I maintain a shooting game machine?
Basic cleaning every 2–4 weeks and internal dust removal monthly is recommended.

4. How do I fix inaccurate gun aiming?
Recalibrate the gun, clean the lens, and reduce strong ambient lighting.

5. Does BLEE provide spare parts for shooting game machines?
Yes. BLEE offers guns, sensors, PCBs, screens, coin acceptors, and full technical support.