thread Re: Square Reader stopped working after update in Orders, Menu Items, Catalog & Fulfilment

Square Reader stopped working after update

hlm_group_llc — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:10:51 GMT

Hi all,

I have a Square Reader, after updating my iphone application, it said I needed to update the reader. Now my reader is constantly flashing 4 red dots and Customer Service told me to just buy a new reader. Did anyone else experience the same?

I want to email CS to voice my frustrations because the person on the phone was not sympathetic to the issue.

Thanks...

Re: Square Reader stopped working after update

JK_Fiber_Art — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:06:59 GMT

Hi Hlm-group_llc,

Have you tried a force shutdown your reader (hard reset):

* Plug in the reader for at least 20 minutes to be sure it’s charged.
* While the reader is charging, use a bobby pin, pen cap, or paper clip to firmly
press and hold the button on the reader for 20 seconds.
* After 20 seconds, release the button and wait 10 seconds.
* Press the button again to turn the reader on and observe any lights on the reader.

It's interesting that 4 blinking or flashing red LEDs are not included in the list below - so this leads me to believe that doing a hard reset may be the last option - this should reset your reader to it's out of the box state. Note, if nothing changes and you're fortunate enough to still be covered by the reader's warranty - Square will replace it. (There's additional tips here.)

What do the lights mean?

The four LED lights displayed on your reader will tell you all you need to know
about your reader.

Connecting your reader:
Four orange lights flashing --- Reader is in pairing mode
Four green lights ------------- Reader has successfully paired
Four red lights --------------- Reader failed to pair

While accepting a payment:
One green light ------- Reader is ready to take a payment
Moving green lights --- Reader is processing a payment
Four green lights ----- Payment was accepted
Four red lights ------- Payment was declined

Note: If you don’t see one green light to initiate a payment after 30 seconds,
please tap “Re-enable Apple Pay and Contactless” in the app.

Checking your battery:
Four green lights ------ Battery is fully charged
Three green lights ----- Battery is 75% charged
Two green lights ------- Battery 50% charged
One solid red light ---- Battery 25% charged
One blinking red light - Battery is low and charge immediately

If your reader is completely out of battery, you will see two scrolling red lights
when you reconnect your reader to power and it initiates charging.

Re: Square Reader stopped working after update

Nonprofit — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:45:40 GMT

I have the same problem and the reader is stuck in the update and will not factory reset...just hosed I believe.

Re: Square Reader stopped working after update

Nonprofit — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 14:47:59 GMT

I now have tried this on all three readers...all just continuously blink. Perhaps Square is just forcing obsolescence with the readers by killing them with an update that is not recoverable.

Re: Square Reader stopped working after update

hlm_group_llc — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:20:55 GMT

Tried resetting it many many times, has not helped.