Yes, same issue on my game, too, running .66 code. I have tried to recreate it and it doesn't happen every time. It seems like the problem crops up when a ball or balls are already locked in Groot. It wouldn't be a problem if the drop target stayed down long enough in ball search for the ball to fall past it. Also, I am seeing an odd result when looking at the switch test for the groot lock optos, so that may be a cause? Perhaps? Normally, in switch test when a switch is open there is just a dot, and a square when the switch is closed. In this case, when the switch is open there are five dots, looks like a five as seen on dice. This is what you see in test for switches #59-63, though they test fine when a ball is present. Unfortunately, there is no switch behind the drop target to tell the game a ball is there. On mine, the drop target will drop to let the ball out, but when it does drop the lip of the target kicks the ball backward and the drop target pops back up before the ball can roll past it.

I called Chas at Stern on Wednesday and he didn't have an answer for me, said that it was the first time he heard about the issue.

Really? A code reinstall? Is that a known fix or a SWAG?

If you watch the Buffalo Pinball stream, they run into a ball management problem that looks very similar.

I see it as a code issue, too. At this point, we can't even check your theory as there is no GOTG code posted on Stern's website. Maybe someone could get a copy or better yet a new release that solves this problem. Mine is on location so I have had to disable the drop target, that means no orb multiball, very disappointing.

Ah, I wish it were so easy for me! Played a few games after that adjustment with no issues, then it was the same old problem with the ball getting stuck behind the drop target. Not entirely sure, but it may only turn up in certain modes, but it is still present in my game. Only thing I can do to make the game playable is to disable the drop target.

If you are placing the game on location, I would definitely suggest installing .72 version. On my game running .66, the drop target would not stay down long enough for the ball to clear the target, so the ball would occasionally get stuck behind the target. Needed a reboot to release the ball. With .72 version, drop target stays down long enough for the ball to roll out of the orb area.

This same behavior happened today at our launch party. Ball stayed in right scoop for no apparent reason, eventually after a number of ball searches the game kicked out the ball. Also, we continue to have balls get stuck behind the orb drop target during Groot multiball. Game doesn't know that the ball is in there and the player ends up with a one ball multiball. Eventually, the game will release the ball behind the drop target after all the other balls drain. I don't understand why the game was designed without any kind of a switch behind the drop target that will let the game know there is a ball resting against the target.

+1 on the EOS switch. Have had to address this issue a few times over the last couple of years. I have replaced the EOS switch once and now I simply clean it and it is okay again for months at a time. For reference, my KISS Pro has just over 10,000 plays on it. Don't usually see this sort of problem with NC switches, odd thing.

I wouldn't worry about it. My GOTG Pro on location has well over 10,000 plays and the drop target hasn't snapped off yet. OTOH, three t-nuts under the playfield have snapped off at the neck, so that may be in your future.