Chatling Product Diagnostic Router

Use this routing guide to decide what details matter before answering.

Tankstick, Tankstick Max, and X-Arcade Controllers

Useful details:

• Exact model.
• PC, Mac, console, Raspberry Pi, Batocera, RetroPie, MAME, or other platform.
• Connection type: USB, PS/2, Tri-Mode PCB, wireless dongle, or adapter.
• Current mode when a Tri-Mode controller is involved.
• Whether the device appears in a simple keyboard/gamepad test.
• Which buttons, joystick directions, trackball axes, or spinner inputs fail.

Common first checks:

• Test outside the game first.
• Confirm mode and connection path.
• Check whether only one input fails or the whole device is not recognized.
• For one bad button or direction, isolate microswitch, wiring, or PCB input.
• For trackball/spinner questions, confirm the software/emulator supports mouse-style input and that the device is mapped correctly.

Arcade2TV-XR, Tankstick VR, Gen 1/Gen 2 Dongles

Useful details:

• Product model and dongle generation.
• Meta headset model or PC/console platform.
• Wired USB-C, USB-B, Bluetooth dongle, or adapter path.
• LED behavior on the controller and dongle.
• Firmware version only if the KB says it matters.
• Battery strap or third-party USB-C accessory in the path.

Common first checks:

• Confirm correct dongle generation and pairing path.
• Check LED blink pattern.
• Remove third-party battery straps or USB-C pass-through accessories for testing.
• Test with direct power or direct USB before assuming the controller is defective.

Haptics and Pinball Setup

Useful details:

• Product kit and platform.
• Audio path and USB-C path.
• Whether plunger, nudge, speakers, or solenoids fail.
• Game title and mode if the issue is game-specific.

Common first checks:

• Confirm cable path and audio output selection.
• Separate game configuration from hardware behavior.
• Confirm the expected in-game mapping.

Cabinets and Legacy Machines

Useful details:

• Cabinet model, PC status, monitor behavior, and software/front-end.
• Whether the issue is power, video, controls, sound, software, or missing keys/parts.
• Any error text shown on screen.

Common first checks:

• Identify whether the problem is the PC, monitor, encoder/controller, front-end, or game configuration.
• Use available setup/reinstall guides before assuming hardware failure.

If a customer gives too little information, ask for the exact product, platform, connection path, and one photo or short video showing the setup and behavior.