The first thing you want to do is test the X-Arcade™ using the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program. This program can be run on a PC only, but should still be your first step to solving any problems.
Download X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program (make sure you don't have any software running that might be making inputs not work, such as macro programs like X-Hotkeys).


If all of the buttons and joystick directions work properly in the test program, your X-Arcade™ is working properly, and you may need to simply configure it properly for the game/emulator you are trying to use it with. See MAME instructions.


If a single button or joystick direction does not work in the X-Arcade™ Test Utility Program, or you do not have access to a PC, follow all of these simple steps to determine the exact cause of the problem:


NOTE: It does not void the warranty to open the X-Arcade per our instructions here, and there are even a few spare switches inside if you need them.


JOYSTICK:
  1. If Joystick 1 is the only thing not working, turn NUMLOCK on. On a laptop this is often done by holding a blue "Fn" key and pressing another key (usually with a numpad graphic on it) at the same time to enable it.
  2. If the joystick is sticking in a game such as Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong, this is because the joystick needs to be in 4-way mode for those games.
  3. Open the X-Arcade™ (this does not void the warranty)
  4. Check that the wires on the microswitch are firmly attached to both the microswitch and the jumper on the PCB. You can unplug the jumper from the PCB, then reattach it firmly. Click here to see schematic.
  5. If a joystick is sticking in one direction or you are having trouble with diagonals, you likely simply need to adjust the microswitch for that direction.
  6. Finally, try swapping another working microswitch with the one causing problems to see if it is a faulty microswitch. If the problem follows the microswitch to the new location the microswitch needs replaced, click here to contact us and let us know. If it does not, see PCB INPUT TEST below.
BUTTON:
  1. Be sure your operating system is set to a US 101 keyboard. If it is set to another country some of the keys may have different functions.
  2. Open the X-Arcade™
  3. Check to see if the microswitch has by chance simply fallen out of its socket and if it has just snap it snugly back into place.
  4. Be sure there is nothing, for instance a wire, in between the microswitch and the button causing them not to connect properly.
  5. Check that the wires on the microswitch are firmly attached to both the microswitch, and the jumper on the PCB. You can unplug the jumper from the PCB, then reattach it firmly. Click here to see schematic.
  6. If the button is physically getting stuck down (usually due to a liquid being spilled into the button), remove the button, disassemble it by pushing the 2 tabs on the bottom of the button together, and clean the shaft inside and out with alcohol.
  7. Finally, try swapping another working microswitch with the one causing problems to see if it is a faulty microswitch. If the problem follows the microswitch to the new location, the microswitch needs replaced, click here to contact us and let us know what color the spring inside your button is. If it does not, see PCB INPUT TEST below.

PCB INPUT TEST:

If you've tried all of the above, then you are now left with determining if you have a PCB issue vs. a cable connection one. There are 2 ways to do this: 


Method 1: The easiest way to test an input is to jump a small wire or paper clip for example between the ground wire and the input that isn't working. (See schematic) so, for example, let's pretend player 2 side button 1 is not working, looking at the schematic we can see that that's J4 (gray) and the blue wire, and the purple wire is the ground. So you could jump those 2 inputs on the PCB directly (with your wire or paper clip) while looking at the test program to see if it reacts. If it does, the PCB is fine and you will want to inspect your cables again. 


Method 2: The simple idea here is to determine if you can get a non-working direction or button to work if it is plugged into another slot on the PCB. (See schematic) Let's pretend for example that 'Up' on Joystick 1 is not working. If you swap the joy1 input (J7, red) with the joy 2 input (J5 green) on the PCB, you can then test both sticks again to see if the problem moves to the other stick or stays on the same input (keeping in mind they will be swapped when you test them in the test program of course). If joy1 now fully works in the test program (though it now shows up as joy 2 in the test) but joy2 now won't go up, then you have a PCB problem. But if joy2 (now showing as joy1 in the test program) now isn't working in the up direction and joy1 is now fully working, then you have a wire connection issue, the PCB is fine and you will want to inspect your cables again. 
The same idea can be done with buttons also, such as swapping J4 and J7 if you have a problem with button 1, 2, 4, or 5 on either side. 

If you need further assistance after trying everything above or have determined that you need a microswitch, click here to contact us and let us know.

Please see this very helpful video overview of how to fix any buttons or switches!