Contactless reader says damaged. I replaced it and app and square stand still says damaged. Why?

[Alexandra1]

My contactless reader says damaged. I replaced it and I am still getting the same message on both my phone app and square stand. How can this be happening on 2 devices? Neither units were dropped.

[_Violet · Accepted solution]

Hi @reafu  - I'm sorry to hear that this issue with your Contactless + Chip Reader has brought you to the Seller Community.

If you haven't used your reader in a few years, it'll be due for an update or two before you're able to use it again. I recommend following the steps listed here for resetting your reader so you can force-install the updates. 

I hope this information is helpful but please do let me know if you have any additional questions.

[JV2]

I think most of us have done this too but we're in a bit of a vicious loop. Someone here has also disassembled the unit and found that there is another capacitor/battery in the unit that is dead that can't be recharged. Not the main battery but something else that seems beyond repair at our consumer level. It might be a good idea to go through this thread and others like it to get a sense that this issue is widely known, experienced by many, and goes beyond the immediate support offered by help files or a support team. 

[Behr_M]

There is no point.   We are out of warranty,  and we are simply told to do the reset steps.   If that doesn't work (which it doesn't)  we are advised we must buy new hardware.  

[reafu]

I’ve tried all the methods listed in the article. I’ve gone so far as unpairing and re-pairing the reader, no dice! And I can say, not having a card reader impacted my sales. I want to know how I can go about getting a replacement or if I’d need to buy another unit and wait for it to conk out during the convention downtime.

[_Violet]

Sorry to hear you're still having trouble with your reader, @reafu.

The Square Contactless + Chip Reader is covered by a one-year warranty. If you are outside of the one-year warranty window, you can purchase a new reader from the Square Shop or you can check Where to Buy Square to see if a retailer near you carries the reader.

[Majeed]

I don’t know why 

i ordered another one bby amazon but it doesn’t work as well

[MileEnd]

If only this had been put front and centre: important usage instructions for infrequent or seasonal users, which explain not only the problem frustrating all of us, but also how we should have worked around it, if only we had known.

The Square Reader has a primary battery and backup battery. The primary battery is used for operation of the Square Reader. The backup battery is used to maintain the tamper-detection features of the Square Reader. If the primary battery is entirely discharged the backup battery will maintain tamper-detection of the device for one year. If the Square Reader is not fully charged annually it will enter into a tampered state and become inoperable. Common use and recharging of the primary battery will prevent the Square Reader from entering a tampered state. For infrequent or seasonal users of the Square Reader we recommend charging the Square Reader fully at least once each year.

The quote is from an obscure document which I found by Googling "square reader battery security".

[Majeed]

I don’t understand 

your app said your reader damaged not battery issue 

[Majeed]

i think i need new reader

may you send me one please 

[DanielDay]

This whole thing looks like a rort. I had a PayPal reader that was “damaged” after one use. And now it’s the same with this square reader. Used once a couple years ago and put in the drawer and now it says “damaged” and I have to buy another. Sick and tired of these tech companies making our devices useless a paperweight after 2 years. 

[radiusone]

I would like to tap in on my experience as well. Bought mine in August 2023, it was working perfectly fine in May 2025. Literally sat on my desk for the next three months, and I tried to use it again in early August 2025 (after 2 years), it says 'device permanently damaged'. It was able to read the battery and firmware as well as identify the reader, but unusable. I called the support and they told me 'unfortunately that's just what happens to electronics sometimes' as if reading from a given script, and told me to get a new one. I don't think devices just breakdown while sitting there barely used. If my laptop from 16 years ago can still work to this day, some simple chip reader from post 2020 should not break on its own.