How to Fix a Gumball Machine

Gumball machines are one of the most popular alternative sources of income. You just set up your machines in high-traffic areas, keep them stocked, and collect your money. But one expense you have to factor into your calculations is the cost of gumball machine repair. 

Gumball machines have many moving parts, and that means there are a lot of things that can go wrong. Hiring a technician to fix a broken gumball machine is expensive, and you may have to wait until they have an opening. Idle, broken machines can put a serious dent in your profits. 

Knowing how to fix a gumball machine can save you money. And knowing how to perform regular maintenance and upkeep can keep your machines running smoothly and save you the cost and hassle of repair bills.

Gumball.com isn’t just your top choice when you’re shopping for gumball machines. We also have a wide selection of gumball machine parts. If you have a broken gumball machine, check out our website to learn more. 

How to Fix a Gumball Machine: Common Repairs for Broken Gumball Machine

Learning how to fix a gumball machine may seem intimidating at first. But with a little study and practice, you’ll be fixing your broken gumball machine with ease. Here are some of the most common problems you’ll encounter in your gumball machine business, along with the solutions. 

Coin Mechanism Not Accepting Coins or Jamming 

Dirt and dust in your coin pathway can cause coins to stick. To fix these issues, inspect the coin slot and remove any obstructions with tweezers or compressed air. If you find sticky residue in the coin pathway, clean it with a cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol.

Sometimes the handle won’t turn after you put in your coin. See if a little spritz of food-grade lubrication makes it move. Make sure the gumball machine globe isn’t overfilled. Overfilling can put pressure on the dispensing wheel so it can’t turn. 

Test the coin mechanism to see it is seated correctly and all connecting parts are moving smoothly. Check the screws holding the mechanism together to make sure they are neither too loose nor too tight. If all else fails, you may need to replace the coin mechanism.

Gumballs Not Dropping or Getting Stuck

Are you using properly-sized gumballs? If your gumballs are too big, they won’t fit in the dispensing wheel’s pocket. Too small, and the pocket might get jammed with multiple gumballs. Old, sticky gumballs can also clog the machine preventing gumballs from reaching the dispenser.

Make sure you’re using gumballs that match your dispensing wheel’s pocket size. If you have a gumball jam, empty the hopper and replace the old gumballs with fresh new gumballs. Also make sure your dispensing wheel isn’t hampered by debris or sticky residue. 

Top Lid, Globe, or Base Is Loose or Broken

Loose top lids are often caused by a loose or stripped nut on the central rod. The gasket between the lid and globe may no longer seal properly. Or the lid lock may be faulty or loose. In each case, tightening, repairing, or replacing the problem part should solve the issue. 

You can sometimes hammer out small dents on metal lids or bend sheet metal lids back into shape. But most often replacing the lid is the safest and most reliable option. 

If your globe is loose, check the retaining rod and the bottom gasket. Tighten loose nuts and replace a worn gasket. Also make sure that the globe is the correct size for your machine. Cracked or broken gumball machine glass or plastic globes should be replaced immediately. They’re not only unsightly, they’re a health and safety hazard.

If the gumball machine stand is loose, dented, or cracked, the best solution is replacement. There’s no gumball machine repair that will make a wobbly old stand look appealing to customers. 

Cracks, Fading, or Cosmetic Wear

Cracked, worn gumball machines are a big turn-off for customers. Freshening up your old gumball machine can have a big impact on your bottom line. 

A deep clean with a gentle automotive polishing compound can remove grime and oxidation from your machine’s painted surfaces. Polishing compounds and very fine sandpaper can remove scuffs and scratches. 

For more serious wear, repaint the surface with certified food-grade paints and make sure they’re thoroughly dried before reloading the machine. Your gumball machine license requires that you use food-grade materials on any machine that dispenses edible items. 

You can also use a custom-designed vinyl wrap. Vinyl wraps are a durable way to restore an older but still-working gumball machine.

Tools and Supplies You’ll Need for Most Gumball Machine Fixes

One of the most important tools is your machine manual. It contains schematics for your machine, along with important information like part numbers. This makes it easier for you to fix your broken gumball machine and replace worn parts. 

You’ll also need basic tools like:

• A screwdriver set with different sizes of Phillips head and flathead screwdrivers.
• Needle-nose pliers for gripping small parts. 
• Standard pliers for turning bolts
• A wrench set and an adjustable crescent wrench
• A socket set
• Tweezers and dental picks for manipulating springs or removing obstructions
• Flashlight for viewing the inside of your gumball machine
• Rubber mallet for gently tapping parts into place
• A compressed air can for blowing out dust and debris
• Small brushes for dislodging grime
• Isopropyl alcohol for cleaning metal parts and removing sticky residue
• Food-grade sanitizer for cleaning parts that will come in direct contact with gumballs
• Food-grade silicone lubricant for parts that require lubrication. 

You may also want to keep spare coin mechanisms, globe gaskets, locks, and keys on hand. These wear out and need replacement. Having them on hand for your gumball machine repair can save you downtime and get your gumball machine back into service fast. 

Recognizing When Gumball Machine Repair isn’t the Best Route

Fixing a broken gumball machine can extend its lifespan and save you the cost and hassle of ordering and installing a new machine. But sometimes gumball machine repair isn’t an option. Here are some signs that it’s time to retire your faithful old machine and make an upgrade.

Too Many Parts Are Worn or Missing

It can be hard to pinpoint exactly where the problem lies when your gumball machine has multiple worn parts. You might fix one problem only to have another part fail shortly afterwards. This means another expensive parts order and replacement. 

Replacing multiple worn or missing parts usually involves disassembling the machine and its core mechanism. This is time-consuming and requires thorough knowledge of how the machine works. The more extensive your repairs, the greater the chance of doing something wrong.

The Machine Is Custom or Off-Brand

Vintage gumball machines are cool, but finding replacement parts can be challenging or even impossible. You may spend more time looking for a vintage part than installing it. And you may not be able to get a specific part without buying a whole new non-working machine. 

While you may save a little money initially on an off-brand machine, you’re likely to run into problems when that machine breaks down. Finding parts for an uncommon gumball machine can be difficult, and the maker may be out of business or unresponsive.

The Cost of Time and Downtime Adds Up

The labor costs in hiring a technician for repairs will add up quickly. Even if you know how to fix a gumball machine, you will be spending your valuable time on repairing a heavily worn machine that is likely to break down again soon.

Older machines likely have multiple issues. You might replace several worn parts, only to see another part fail soon after you bring the machine back up. If you’re regularly doing gumball machine repair on your old machine, it may be time to replace it with a new one. 

Consider the money you’ve spent to date on your old machine, then find out how much is a gumball machine to replace it. That will help you make an informed decision.

Find All the Replacement Parts and New Machines You Need at Gumball.com!

Since 1993, Gumball.com has been taking care of all your gumball machine needs. We were the first authorized distributor of the original spiral gumball machine, and are the largest online wholesaler of gumballs, machines, and vending supplies.

We ship our replacement parts from one of our nine U.S. distribution centers, so you’re assured of fast, affordable shipping. You want your machines running again as quickly as possible, and we work hard to make that happen.

Whether you’re looking for fresh gumballs, a new gumball machine on stand, or parts for your current gumball machine, Gumball.com has what you’re looking for. Just set up your order and delivery instructions, and we’ll take care of the rest. 

Closing Thoughts on How to Fix a Gumball Machine

Learning how to fix a gumball machine is easy. With a little practice and research, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. And, you’ll save money to protect your profit margins by handling your own gumball machine repair and maintenance.

Our site is a goldmine of data if you’re looking for information about gumball machine repair. And if you can’t find what you need on the website, give us a call. We have the best customer service in the industry and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. Get in touch today!