thread Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error in Hardware Setup & Troubleshooting

Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:29:19 GMT

I am receiving an error when attempting to tap a debit card "Unknown Card Brand"

And when I try to use the chip reader it tells me to use the tap or use a different card.

I paid for this for the sole purpose of being able to provide Debit as a payment option, if it doesn't work, thenit is useless to me since I already had the swipe reader for credir card payments (which was free).

Looks like I was not the only person to have this problem; waiting on support to get back to me.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

RHatch — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 13:34:30 GMT

Does the contactless reader work with any cards? Has this happened to more than one card? Also you can use the swiper for Credit and Debit Cards.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 17:32:44 GMT

Tap worked for Visa. No Debit and the swipe doesn't work for anything. To my lnowledge swipe is still not available for debit anyway.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

RHatch — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 18:08:13 GMT

Swipe works with anything, Credit, Debit, Gift Card. However, if you have the contactless reader hooked up it will force you to use the chip. Disconnect the contactless reader until you get the issue figured out and the swipe reader will work.

Have you tried a hard reset of the reader? Hold the power button for 20-30 seconds and it will hard reset. Maybe that will fix your issue.

Are you located in the U.S.?

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 20:18:29 GMT

I am in Canada; I disconnected the contactless and the Swipe reader actually doesn't work at all. I have my old one at home that I will try later.

I have unistalled and reinstalled the app and completed a hard reset; Forgot reader and reconnected; still not working.

Frustrating and disappointed.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 20:21:44 GMT

Oh and Swipe did not work with Debit cards...this is why I wanted the contactless; At least not in Canada.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

VanKalkerFarms — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 20:38:44 GMT

You are correct that Debit cards can only be processed by tap in Canada. Have you had any work with this reader as this is a new feature to square in the last month or so?

https://squareup.com/help/ca/en/article/5085-accepted-cards

I don't know what Interac Debit means, so if that is all debit or just a specific kind.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 21:30:19 GMT

As I said; no debit cards work and I did have a Credit card work via Tap method. 2 different banks for Debit were tested. I will likely have to return the swipe...but I want to test my old one first.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

Tom — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 20:42:43 GMT

Hey @TDTB, I wanted to check in here and see if you were still encountering trouble with accepting debit cards. One thing to note, you'll need to tap Charge to prepare the reader for the payment. For more information, have a look here: Accept Contactless (NFC) Payments.

Does that help clear things up?

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 20:58:20 GMT

Just to be clear; I understand how this works; I have charged credit card via tap; I have been using a magnetic reader from square for years.

All hardware troubleshooting was done before I contcated square and posted to the community board.

The new magnetic reader I received in the box is defective- DOES NOT READ CARDS. And the contactless / chip reader DOES NOT READ DEBIT CARDS.

I am in Canada, so I can not swipe to charge debit...this is why I got the new reader; which is either faulty or the advertising is misleading (false) meaning it is not capable of reading canadian debit cards.

So far I am developing a sour taste for Square as I haven't been able to get any proper support. Just many Social Media type recommendations of the same BS.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

Chad — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 23:08:11 GMT

Hey @TDTB, I'm sorry to hear about the trouble and have taken the time to read through all the comments. Could you tell me a little bit about what happens when you go to tap a payment? Are there any lights shown on the reader? I know you had success with a credit card. Are you testing with an Interac debit card? When you tap the card does it register that there was a payment attempt or does nothing happen at all?

I'll keep an eye out for your reply.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 01:54:15 GMT

I am getting tired of saying this...

It gives me an error message:

Unknown card brand please use a different card.

I tried 3 different cards from 3 different banks; all with confirmed tap access.

Chip says:

Cancel Payment and tap card

Or use a different card.

All debit cards give the same message; all known troubleshhoting has been done.

Either the reader in malfunctioning ir it can not take canadian cards.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

Chad — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 01:58:37 GMT

Interesting @TDTB, what are the brands of the cards that you're trying to tap?

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 02:03:01 GMT

Credit union

TD canada Trust

Alberta Treasury Branch

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

Chad — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 02:09:35 GMT

@TDTB, I'm sorry I should have been a little more clear. Card brands would be Master Card, Visa, American Express, and JCB for example. Those look to be the card issuers, which are banks credit unions, and credit card companies.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 04:05:54 GMT

Once again...DEBIT- Bank Card. Credit Cards are not a problem.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

Chad — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 19:24:56 GMT

Yes, I understand that Debit Bank cards are what's giving you trouble. You mentioned that you received an error message that the card brand was not supported. This is why I asked the brands of the cards that you're using. Currently, Square can only accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, and JCB logos. Currently this reader only accepts INTERAC Flash enabled debit cards for debit transactions. Did any of these cards have a different brand?

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

TDTB — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 22:53:29 GMT

They are Interact Flash and chip enabled.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

Chad — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 02:26:55 GMT

Hey @TDTB, I've done some talking with our Support Team and we came to an agreement that somethings up with the reader you have. Let's get a warranty started so our Hardware Team can take a look at the reader you have and we will send you a new one.

Re: Can not use tap debit or chip reader for debit- gives error

marvette — Wed, 15 Nov 2017 20:10:19 GMT

Hey!

This is also happening with our reader we just received!

We are located in canada and everything works except debit!

Yvette