What to Do With Your ArcadePay Controller When a Location Closes for the Season

What to Do With Your ArcadePay Controller When a Location Closes for the Season

If one of your locations closes for the winter or a busy-season window, you have two options for handling the ArcadePay Controller on that machine. You do not need to contact support for either one.

Option 1: Keep the Subscription Running

The simplest option is to leave the controller connected and let the subscription continue through the off-season. At $7.95/month, this keeps your account active and your settings intact. When the location reopens, the machine is ready to go immediately — no reconnecting or reconfiguring needed.

Option 2: Move the Controller to a Different Machine

If you have another machine on route that does not yet have an ArcadePay Controller, you can unplug the controller from the closed location and install it on the active machine. Your pricing, settings, and registration carry over automatically.

How to move a controller:
  1. Power off the machine at the closing location.
  2. Unplug the ArcadePay Controller from the coin mechanism connector.
  3. Connect it to the new machine using the same connector type.
  4. Apply a fresh QR sticker from your spare set to the new machine.
  5. Power on the new machine — it reconnects to your account automatically, usually within 15 seconds.
For the full step-by-step guide, see Move Your ArcadePay Controller to a Different Machine.

Billing During the Off-Season

If you used the ACPAYX promotion (free hardware): The free hardware plan includes a 12-month service commitment. During that first year, the subscription cannot be paused or cancelled. After 12 months, you have full flexibility to pause, cancel, or make changes to your subscription.

If you are past the 12-month mark and want to pause a subscription for a seasonal closure, contact ArcadePay Support to discuss your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I store the controller unplugged during the off-season?

Yes. The controller is just hardware — it does not require power to stay registered to your account. Your subscription and account settings are unaffected while the controller is unplugged and stored.

Does moving the controller change my billing?

No. The subscription is tied to the controller, not the machine location. Moving the controller to a different machine does not change your billing amount or schedule.

What if I want to cancel after the first 12 months?

After the initial 12-month period, contact ArcadePay Support with your account name and the device you would like to cancel. We'll confirm the cancellation and any final billing.

Need help with something not covered here? Contact ArcadePay Support and include your account name and machine details.