Contactless and chip reader doesn't connect ("reader update failed")

mhingston — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:08:21 GMT

I have a contactless/chip reader that has never connected to my device (Android, if it matters).

When I go to connect the reader to my device within the Square app, at first it appears to work. I hold down the button on the reader until the yellow dots appear, and I get a message on my device saying that a reader has been located.

However, a new message then appears, saying that the reader needs to be updated, and an orange progress bar appears along the top of my device's screen—but then, almost immediately, I get a "Square Reader Disconnected" message, followed by a "Reader Update Failed" message. The progress bar never gets past 20%.

I have followed all of the directions on the troubleshooting page, including fully charging the reader, re-setting the reader until the red dots appear, and clearing my Bluetooth cache. Nothing has helped.

Is there anything else I can try? Or is my reader simply a lemon?

thread Contactless and chip reader doesn't connect ("reader update failed") in Payments Troubleshooting

Contactless and chip reader doesn't connect ("reader update failed")