Whether you’re eyeing a pinball machine for sale or already have one in your game room, maintenance is key. Like any mechanical device, pinball machines require a little TLC—and when problems pop up, knowing how to fix them saves time, money, and frustration.
At House of Pinball, we help owners and collectors keep their machines running at peak performance. In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify and fix the most common pinball machine problems, including stuck balls, weak flippers, and unresponsive switches.
🔍 Why This Matters When Buying
Understanding basic troubleshooting will help you:
✅ Buy with confidence (especially used machines)
✅ Spot serious issues before purchasing
✅ Maintain your investment over time
✅ Avoid unnecessary repair costs
🛠️ Common Pinball Problems & How to Fix Them
🎱 1. Ball Gets Stuck During Gameplay
Symptom: The ball comes to a stop in one area of the playfield and doesn’t move unless the machine is nudged.
Likely Causes:
- Broken or misaligned switch
- Playfield debris
- Weak coil or flipper not activating
Quick Fix:
- Power off the machine
- Open the playfield and manually check the ball path
- Clean the area with a microfiber cloth
- Check nearby switches for physical damage or looseness
- Test for coil strength in test mode (most machines have diagnostics)
✅ Pro Tip: Use Novus 1 cleaner to keep ball paths slick and prevent slow-downs.
⚡ 2. Weak Flippers
Symptom: Flippers feel soft, sluggish, or don’t flip the ball with enough force.
Likely Causes:
- Worn coil sleeve or EOS (end-of-stroke) switch
- Dirty flipper assembly
- Power issue on the flipper driver board
Quick Fix:
- Clean the flipper mechanisms with isopropyl alcohol
- Check coil sleeves and replace if worn
- Inspect the EOS switch for oxidation or bending
- Make sure the power wiring is secure at the solenoid
🛠️ Upgrade Tip: If you’re buying a used pinball machine for sale, ask if the flippers have been rebuilt or cleaned. This is a high-wear area.
🔕 3. No Sound or Music
Symptom: The machine boots and plays, but there’s no audio.
Likely Causes:
- Faulty sound board
- Disconnected speaker wire
- ROM chip issues (on older machines)
Quick Fix:
- Check speaker connections
- Inspect the sound board for corrosion or blown fuses
- Use test mode to isolate the problem (some machines allow you to trigger sounds manually)
✅ Buying Advice: When purchasing, make sure all sound functions work—some sellers omit this detail.
🔌 4. One or More Lights Don’t Work
Symptom: A single insert or bulb doesn’t light up.
Likely Causes:
- Burnt-out bulb or LED
- Cold solder joint on the lamp board
- Corroded or dirty socket
Quick Fix:
- Replace the bulb with a new one (or LED if upgraded)
- Clean the socket with a contact cleaner
- If LEDs flicker, ensure you’re using non-ghosting versions (especially in System 6–11 machines)
🎯 At House of Pinball, we offer fully LED’d machines that solve this issue long-term.
🎯 5. Machine Won’t Start or Boot Up
Symptom: Machine is powered on but shows a blank screen or unresponsive playfield.
Likely Causes:
- Battery corrosion on CPU board
- Blown fuse
- Loose or oxidized connectors
- Dead power supply
Quick Fix:
- Check all fuses with a multimeter
- Inspect the MPU or CPU board for battery acid damage
- Reseat all ribbon cables and power connectors
- Check for blinking LED patterns on the MPU (many systems have diagnostic blink codes)
🧠 Buyer Tip: If you see corrosion near the battery holder, factor in board repair or replacement costs before buying.
🧽 Bonus: Maintenance Tips to Prevent These Problems
Prevention is always easier than repair. Here’s how to keep your machine healthy:
| Task | Frequency | Tools Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Clean playfield | Monthly | Novus, microfiber cloth |
| Re-rubber | Yearly or as needed | Rubber kit |
| Replace balls | Every 6–12 months | Pinballs (carbon steel) |
| Rebuild flippers | Every 2–3 years | Flipper rebuild kit |
| Check fuses | Annually | Multimeter |
🛒 Considering a Pinball Machine for Sale? Ask These Maintenance Questions:
Before you buy, ask the seller:
✅ When were the flippers last rebuilt?
✅ Are the boards original or upgraded?
✅ Has the machine been LED converted?
✅ Any known issues with coils, lights, or audio?
✅ Has the battery been relocated or removed (for older games)?
At House of Pinball, we make this easy. Every listing includes:
- Full condition report
- Photos of boards and key assemblies
- Service history or restoration notes
- Upgrades like LEDs or flipper kits