Common ATM Repairs – Tips and Solutions

Luckily, ATM machines are generally very reliable. In fact, when trying to list out the most common ATM repairs, most of the items that came to mind fell under the category of maintenance and not necessarily true repairs due to failures.

Of course, like any machine, a breakdown can and will eventually happen but with proper maintenance, costly ATM repairs can usually be avoided.

Keep in mind that there are 2 types of maintenance: proactive and reactive. In reactive maintenance, people tend to feel as if a repair is needed because a part on the ATM isn’t functioning. When in actuality, the faulty item probably just ran the course of its life cycle and needed to be replaced.

Common ATM Maintenance Tips

• • A clean ATM is a happy ATM. Whether you use specially formulated cleaning supplies or a simple lint-free cloth and some elbow grease, keeping your ATM and its parts clean is one of the cheapest and simplest forms of maintenance. Start by removing any debris from the bottom of the vault. Use a vacuum to suck up any dust or small particles. Wipe down the vault with a damp cloth to remove any build-up on the walls. Next, grab a can of compressed air and use this to clean the cash dispenser and printer assembly. After that, use a cleaning solution (warm water with just a couple drops of dish soap works just fine) to wipe down the pick wheels, belts and outside surfaces including the keypad.
  • What’s that noise? Hopefully, you will never have to ask yourself that question when it comes to your ATM. To avoid squeaks and creaks, be sure to lubricate the door hinges and cassette lids with a very light oil.
  • Huh, I can’t remember! To keep your operating system function at full capacity, be sure to print your journals regularly to keep your ATM’s memory available. (It’s a good habit to have. You should keep your journals for at least a year in case you need them.) Also, re-boot your ATM’s operating system to refresh it.

Common ATM Maintenance Parts and Supplies

Below are the ATM parts that will need to be serviced/maintained regularly. If you are completing your own ATM maintenance, it’s usually a good idea to have an extra one or two of these items on hand to avoid any downtime while waiting for a replacement part.

• • Card Reader. Without the card reader, the ATM will not be able to recognize any of the numbers on a user’s ATM card. Without a readable card, the ATM is 100% useless. This is a part that you definitely don’t want to be without for too long.
  • Cash Dispenser. Besides the card reader, the cash dispenser for an ATM is probably the 2nd most important part. If there’s a problem with it, your customers may receive a happy surprise (in the form of extra cash) or be short-changed on their withdrawal. No matter the problem, it’s not a good experience for the ATM operator or the consumer.
  • Rollers. All ATMs have rollers that help to receive and dispense user’s ATM cards, as well as dispense cash from the machine. These will inevitably start to wear down over time. Be sure to check the rollers regularly, keep them clean and replace when necessary.
  • Receipt Tape. This is by far the most common and logical item. Customers like their receipts. If you have a maintenance service program, this will likely be included. If you do it on your own, be sure to make this a part of your regular ATM inspections.

ATM Maintenance and Service

To avoid costly repairs coupled with potential downtime (also costly), be sure to maintain your ATM regularly. If you are opting to perform the ATM maintenance on your own, it never hurts to have a partner backing you up.

At Lieberman Companies, we are a Certified Service Provider for Hyosung ATMs, and also offer a friendly, qualified staff to assist with any maintenance or ATM service related questions. Additionally, we have a warehouse stocked with the most commonly needed ATM parts, so that they can be ready for you at a moment’s notice.

Give us a call today at 952-887-5303 with your ATM questions – let us help you find your ATM maintenance solution or simply fill out the form below to get started.