thread Re: Reader not working in Payments Troubleshooting

Reader not working

Drubeez — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:48:56 GMT

Why wont my reader work? I have tried scanning several different cards and nothing happens. I have updated app, signed out and back in. I have no idea what I am doing wrong..this is not user friendly at all! Can someone please help me!

Re: Reader not working

isabelle — Wed, 12 Feb 2020 22:01:51 GMT

Hey @Drubeez-

So sorry to hear you're having trouble with your reader 😔 I want to look into this for you, but I'm not sure which reader you're using.

If it's the Square Reader for Magstripe, please take a look at these troubleshooting tips.

If it's the Square Contactless + Chip Reader, please take a look at these troubleshooting tips.

If you continue to have issues, feel free to contact our Support Team or reply back to me in this thread.

My reader will only process cards manually

JC6 — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:06:03 GMT

My reader will only process cards manually

Re: My reader will only process cards manually

isabelle — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 15:56:45 GMT

Hey @JC6-

Sorry to hear that your reader isn't working properly.

Take a look at the troubleshooting articles I posted in this thread. Let me know if you have any questions about this.

Re: My reader will only process cards manually

Drubeez — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 19:54:59 GMT

Mine is the mag strip. The small one. I don’t think it is the reader I think it is something not set up properly in my phone. I tried a different reader and the same thing is happening. I wished they would set up step by step instruction on how to set up your phone with the app. I think that is where the problem is. I will need to use this next weekend and if it doesn’t work I will send everything back and delete app

Re: My reader will only process cards manually

JustinC — Sat, 15 Feb 2020 23:30:25 GMT

Hey @Drubeez - Yikes, sorry your experience with the POS app so far hasn't been smooth sailing.

Have you checked our Support Center yet? You'll find various help pages that includes step-by-step instructions on how to set up the POS app. Simply search a key phrase, like Create Items or Pair Reader to find the article you need. If you’re more of a visual person Square’s YouTube Channel: has a bunch of great tutorials that help you get started.

As for your app issues, Have you tried any of these app/device troubleshooting steps? If you're still having trouble, I'd reach out to CS as @isabelle suggested above so they can help you further with troubleshooting and setting up your app.