thread Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try in Payments Troubleshooting

Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

GMGValerie — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:11:53 GMT

My contactless chip payment reader stopped working yesterday, and no matter what I have done, it fails to pair up with my tablet (a Samsung Galaxy Tab A, which we confirmed before we bought it that it would work with all Square equipment).

I tried every single step in the troubleshooting guide about the card reader - TWICE, and it still does not work. It stays in the dock plugged into a power strip (which we turn off at night, so it is not on a constant charge). The device has some type of power, because the lights will blink orange then red when trying to reset it. It will also flash green quickly when I re-dock it. But when trying to pair it with a device, it blinks orange and fails to pair.

This will be the second contactless reader we have had in 6 years. The first one always had Bluetooth pairing problems, but we tolerated using it for a few years. I believe we have had this reader for two or three years as well now, so I am wondering - do these things have a shelf life? Are they supposed to work for years and years, or is it something that is supposed to be replaced every few years?

Very frustrated, so thank you for any assistance!

Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

Joe — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 12:53:43 GMT

Hi there, @GMGValerie - thanks for reaching out to us here on the Seller Community. Happy to have you!

So sorry to hear about the trouble with your Contactless & Chip card reader. The normal life-time of this reader should be far longer than what you've experienced.

We'd love to take a deeper look into this with you in terms of troubleshooting. Would you mind flagging this over to our Support Team directly? They can take a more hands-on approach in getting this solved for you.

Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

242House — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 21:25:31 GMT

We have the same problems. We have tried EVERYTHING - 4 hours of uninstalling, reinstalling, etc and NOTHING works. Also we can not call, to get help. Tonight, which will be HUGE we can not accept credit cards!

Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

sayra — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 00:20:48 GMT

@242House- Sorry to hear you are having issues contacting us. Please send us an email to help you look into your phone code and assist you further with your reader.

Thank you.

Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

Shaloha808 — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 08:22:41 GMT

Exactly the same for me! What, if anything, has been the solution?

Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

Kassi_ — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:10:06 GMT

Hey there, @Shaloha808 -

How old is the reader you're having issues with?

I will keep an eye out for your reply👀.

Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

Shaloha808 — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:20:52 GMT

I got it in November 2019.

Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

Shaloha808 — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 21:30:00 GMT

Also, I have an android S21 ultra, but I have been using it without any problems with the Square Beta App for months, so I don't think it's a phone compatibility issue unless something recently changed. It seems like it's an app/software issue more than the reader itself. The regular Square app wasn't working with my phone when I got it in 2021, which is why I switched to Square Beta. Based on App reviews, it looks like MANY recent Square users are having this same issue. Hopefully you guys figure it out!

Re: Contactless Reader Not Connecting No Matter What I Try

Kassi_ — Thu, 09 Jun 2022 22:31:58 GMT

Thank you for confirming, @Shaloha808.

When is the last time you tried using the regular Point of Sale app? Could you give that a try and let me know if this is still giving you issues?