Reason: The display is either faulty or the batteries are exhausted

Solution: The first step is to check/replace the batteries.

Detailed Explanation: Remove the counter from the Powerball, this can be done using either your finger nail, a small flat headed screw driver or knife blade (exercise care while using either) – the counter is anchored to the ball at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions by two plastic tabs (these are molded to the body of the counter) – insert the tool/nail under the counter body at either of these points and lift upward with a quick, firm action – the counter should pop off.

 
The counter on your Powerball is designed to power down automatically if rotor rotation hasn’t been detected for a period exceeding 40 seconds. This feature gives the batteries an expected lifespan of 3-4 years of normal use.
 
However, in rare circumstances, it is possible that one or both of the two batteries inside the counter could fail (a faulty cell for example), therefore bringing on the premature failure of the counter display and so these must first be tested/replaced before the counter can be considered to be faulty.
 
In addition, due to the electronic nature of the counter, it is also possible for a simple data corruption to take place which will cause the display to go blank – once again, while this is rare, we have seen it happen in the past and it is easily corrected as described below:
 
Changing the batteries is a fairly simple task:
 
1. On the back of the counter you'll notice 6 small screws - use a tiny star (philips) screwdriver to remove these.
2. The circuit board will now come away from the counter body. NB: leave the counter body facing down.
3. You'll see the two small batteries (part number P377).
4. If you have a voltage meter, test each cell – the voltage should read between 1.4 and 1.59 on each.

(These batteries can be found at any jeweler or office equipment store if required.)

Reinsert the batteries and put the screws back in. If the batteries were found to be ok, the simple action of opening the counter and removing the batteries from contact with the board for even 10 seconds can often cure an errant display – such corruption will be generally reset by removing the power source for a short time like this.
 
One final condition is where the display is seen to be missing segments, faded or weak. You'll see that, attached to the LCD screen, is a rubber elastomer. This is a small rubber block into which are embedded gold contact wires and which manages the task of connecting the LCD display screen with the counter board with a certain degree of flexibility.

In some cases, if contact between the LCD screen and this elastomer, or – between the elastomer and the board isn’t 100% perfect, it will result in broken or faded characters on the display. Gently removing this and cleaning both sides of the elastomer (we don’t recommend that you touch the screen) should result in a perfect display once again.