The reset procedure is tied to the board, not the cabinet
A Cherry Master machine does not have one universal reset command. The reset route depends on the revision of the game board inside the cabinet, the position of its configuration switches, and whether the machine is set to free-play or coin-accounting mode. A reader who asks how to reset one of these machines is usually trying to clear a credit counter, restore default settings, or recover from a frozen screen, and the correct step for each of those goals is different.
Because no single procedure covers every Cherry Master board, the first step is to identify what the machine contains. The board revision is printed on the PCB, and the switch block that controls reset behaviour sits either on the board edge or behind the coin door. The machine's own printed circuit board label is the authoritative source for which reset path applies.
What a reset changes
A reset on a Cherry Master machine can mean three different operations, and they are not interchangeable. Clearing the bookkeeping totals does not restore factory game settings, and restoring factory settings does not necessarily clear a locked credit state. The table below separates the operations that are commonly confused under the word reset.
| Operation | What it changes | Where the control usually lives |
|---|---|---|
| Clear credit or coin-in totals | Resets the accounting counters only; game settings stay as they are | Key switch or button combination on the coin door or operator panel |
| Restore default game settings | Returns difficulty, payout schedule and volume to the board's stored defaults | DIP switch bank or on-screen setup menu, depending on board revision |
| Recover from a locked or frozen state | Forces the board to reinitialise after a power interruption or corrupted setting | Power cycle combined with a specific switch position, documented per board |
The distinction matters because performing the wrong reset can erase bookkeeping data the operator needs, or leave the machine in a state that will not accept coins until a second setting is changed. The board's own documentation, or a service sheet for the exact board revision, states which switch position or key sequence corresponds to which operation.
Why the procedure differs between machines
Cherry Master is a board platform rather than a single model of cabinet. Different operators installed the boards in different metal or wood cabinets, and the wiring from the board to the door switches, key switches and buttons was not standardised across every installation. The same board revision can therefore have its reset control wired to a different physical switch on two different machines.
The second source of variation is the software revision burned onto the board. A later software build may move the reset function from a physical DIP switch into an on-screen setup menu, while an earlier build of the same board family may require the operator to power the machine down, change a switch, and power it back up. The printed revision code on the board is the only reliable way to tell which procedure applies.
Steps that appear in most documented reset procedures
Although no single sequence is universal, most Cherry Master reset procedures follow a common shape. The machine is powered down, a switch or key is moved to a service position, the machine is powered up, the setup or bookkeeping screen is accessed, the reset or clear command is selected, and the switch is returned to its play position before the machine is powered down again.
The risk in this sequence is that the operator changes a switch and forgets to return it, leaving the machine in a mode that behaves differently when the next player approaches it. A written procedure for the exact board revision, followed step by step, avoids that failure. The procedure should come from the board's service documentation or from a technician who has the same revision in front of them.
What to check before you touch the board
Before attempting any reset, confirm three things. First, read the board revision code printed on the PCB and match it to the correct service sheet. Second, note the current position of every DIP switch or key switch, so that each one can be returned to its original position. Third, record any bookkeeping totals that matter, because a reset may clear them permanently.
The machine's own printed labels and the board's service documentation are the authoritative channels for all three checks. A generic reset guide that does not name the board revision can lead an operator to clear the wrong data, and that data is not recoverable after the fact.
FAQ
Is there a universal reset button on a Cherry Master machine?
No. The reset control is a switch, key, or menu item whose location and behaviour depend on the board revision and the cabinet wiring. The board's printed revision code is the starting point for finding the correct procedure in the service documentation for that revision.
Does a reset restore the machine to factory settings?
Only if the procedure for that specific board revision includes a restore-defaults command. A reset that clears bookkeeping totals leaves the game settings unchanged. The service sheet for the board states which switch position or menu command performs which operation.
Can a reset damage the machine?
A reset performed with the wrong switch sequence can clear bookkeeping data or leave the machine in a service mode that does not accept coins. Returning every switch to its original position after the procedure, and following a procedure written for the exact board revision, reduces that risk.
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