How to Hack a Candy Machine

Last Updated: October 11, 2021

A well-designed and well-maintained candy machine is difficult to hack, but many machines are cheaply made or not properly serviced. If you're frustrated at a machine swallowing your money or just want to make a preliminary attack against our future robot overlords, humanity has a few tricks up its sleeves.

Steps

1
Put double stick tape on the coin. Use strong double stick tape to attach the coin to the knob. If the tape is strong enough, the coin won't drop or be pulled off as intended, so it can be reused for multiple pieces of candy.
2
Try turning the knob back and forth. This will only work on a low-quality machine or a machine that has not been properly put together, so just try this once and move on if it doesn't work.^{[1]
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Research source} Put your coin in the slot, and turn the knob very slowly. Listen for a click as the machine releases a piece of candy, then turn the knob back to its original position.^{[2]
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Research source} If the machine's wheels are misaligned, the coin will still be there, so you can repeat this motion.

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3
Use a flathead screwdriver. You'll need the smallest one you can find, or a similar thin, rigid object such as a file or large paper clip. Stick the tool into the top of the slot, where the coin would normally fall when the knob is rotated. Probe around for a small plastic catch and push it upward. This should let you rotate the knob without putting in a coin.^{[3]
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Research source}
4
Hack claw machines. If your candy machine is the type that lets you pick up candy with a claw, you typically get several tries per coin, but only until you earn one item. If you catch the item before it hits the bottom of the dispenser, the machine won't detect the item, and will give you the maximum number of tries before you need to put in another coin.^{[4]
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Research source}

Community Q&A

Question

Can I do this with cardboard coins?

Community Answer

Yes, as long as its a thick, strong cardboard and not thin and flimsy.
Question

Where can I get double sided tape?

Community Answer

You should be able to get double sided tape at any grocery store, craft store, or pharmacy.
Question

How do I hack a candy machine without security seeing?

Shelby

Community Answer

Make sure there is not a security camera or anyone nearby. If someone is nearby, make sure to not look suspicious and do something else (ex. using your phone) until they walk away. You can also walk away and try again when nobody is there. If employees/security are always in the same area as the machine, try to look like you are using it. If all else fails, walk away and try a different machine or quit all together.