thread Re: Square won't process swiped card in Archived Discussions (Read Only)

My card reader won't read any cards. How do I fix this?

Laurahiner — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 21:33:46 GMT

[Note: The title of this post has been edited by a moderator for clarity.]

Square won'the read the swiped card. I have to key in the account number.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

VanKalkerFarms — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 18:43:13 GMT

What phone do you have? What square credit card reader? Has it worked before? Does the phone show a overlay pop up that a reader is connected when you plug it in?

Re: Square won't process swiped card

maggie201 — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 19:50:30 GMT

It is a new reader. It has never swiped a card ok. I always have to put the info in manually.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

VanKalkerFarms — Wed, 08 Feb 2017 23:55:09 GMT

Is it the free magstripe reader or the $29 chip card reader? Here are some tips depending on which you're using.

Magstripe Reader Troubleshooting

Chip Card Reader Troubleshooting

The readers do have a warranty if these tips don't help. Warranty Info

Re: Square won't process swiped card

haven928 — Tue, 16 May 2017 18:27:54 GMT

I have the same problem. Did you ever get an answer? I have used Square in the past. When I resumed using it six months later on a new phone, it would no longer read cards. The phone recognizes the device when I plug it in, but is unresponsive when I try to scan. I got a new reader but the same result.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

Chad — Wed, 17 May 2017 21:30:05 GMT

Hey @haven928, have you tried the troubleshooting article @VanKalkerFarms posted?

It's a great guide to solving common issues with the Free Square Magstripe Reader. Also, I recomend taking a look at our Device Compatibility page to make sure your device works with this reader.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

npha — Wed, 19 Jul 2017 19:55:38 GMT

Similar problem. All of a sudden today it isn't recognising some cards. Two cards today charged perfectly without issue (one was my own card as a test). With two other cards (with good clean strips on the cards) the app simply says "card not charged". That message takes a few moments to appear, and strangely keeps appearing even when I haven't swiped. One of the cards I successfully charged just last week. I've had to key in one charge already. I really hope this isn't an underhanded way for Square to make a few extra bucks.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

Helen — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 19:53:14 GMT

I'm sorry that you had problems with the reader recently @npha!

If you haven't already I recommend going through these troubleshooting steps for the magstripe reader. If those steps don't do the trick you may need to order another reader.

I want to make sure you're up and running ASAP so please let me know if you're still experiencing issues accepting cards!

Re: Square won't process swiped card

Laurahiner — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 01:12:16 GMT

Thank you for your help. I ordered a new reader & it is working.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

npha — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 17:45:26 GMT

I did and will try them again. I already have two readers and will order another. The problem persists today.

Thanks.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

npha — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 19:19:02 GMT

I have ordered a new reader but I have good reason to believe it's not that. Tried all the troubleshooting suggestions more than once.. no change. I have a Samsung S4 mini, Android version 4.4.2. My colleague is using a Samsung Galaxy s7 and isn't having the any problems.

Was there a recent square update perhaps? This all happened all of a sudden last week. Never had any trouble before.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

VanKalkerFarms — Mon, 24 Jul 2017 21:16:17 GMT

You may want to delete the app and download it again. That might fix the problem. You won't lose any information as nothing is actually stored on your phone.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

zacharie67 — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 07:06:42 GMT

Yes

Re: Square won't process swiped card

zacharie67 — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 07:10:48 GMT

Yes

the customers are not able to use the swiper, for charge

Re: Square won't process swiped card

npha — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 14:24:18 GMT

Thank you. I'll try it again.

Re: Square won't process swiped card

npha — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 21:47:32 GMT

Could it be a problem with too little memory? I had turned off/on my phone and that helped for a couple days, but I started having the same problems again today. I know i need to clean out my phone so I'm wondering if that could be the cause. Thanks!

Re: Square won't process swiped card

puka — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 16:04:16 GMT

Hey again @npha!

Sorry to hear that you're still having trouble. The amount of storage in your phone might be a possible factor since it could be causing the app to run a bit slower resulting in it not capturing the swipe fast enough. I'm wondering if it might also be your phone itself. I saw above that you have a Samsung S4 Mini which is an older model that is running an older version of the Android firmware. To confirm, I would have your colleague use the same reader you're having issues with on their S7. If it works for them then it could be that your phone is having trouble keeping up with the most updated version of the Point of Sale app and it may be time for an upgrade.

Let us know if that helps! If not, feel free to let us know and we'll keep trying until we get you in the right direction.

My card reader stopped working. How do I fix it?

GADL — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 19:27:11 GMT

I believe this tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7) is compatible. When I insert the magstripe reader it says "Reader Connected...". However, when I swipe the card it doesn't do anything... Any suggestions?

Re: Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 7" Compatiblity Issues?

Helen — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 19:31:07 GMT

Hi @GADL! I've moved your post here as other sellers were having this issue. I checked and your device is compatible with the magstripe reader. I recommend following these troubleshooting steps which resolve most issues with the reader. If you're still having trouble don't hesitate to reach back out!

Re: Square won't process swiped card

casp101 — Mon, 09 Apr 2018 18:36:26 GMT

my don't swipe only reads chip cars. now what.