Hi Roger,
Intermittent disconnects with a LAN-connected printer can be one of the more frustrating hardware issues because the root cause isn’t always the printer itself.
A few things I’d check before replacing the printer:
✅ Assign a static IP address to the printer if you haven’t already. I’ve seen DHCP lease renewals cause printers to appear offline intermittently even though the network itself is healthy.
✅ Swap the Ethernet cable and test a different switch/router port. It’s a simple step, but failing cables and ports can create random disconnects that are difficult to trace.
✅ Check network stability. If other Square devices occasionally lose connection or need to be restarted, the network may be the culprit rather than the printer.
✅ Verify firmware. Older Star printers can sometimes benefit from firmware updates if one is available for your model.
Since you mentioned the printer is several years old but otherwise prints well, I wouldn’t immediately assume it’s time for replacement. If the disconnects occur across multiple devices and after confirming a static IP, then hardware age could certainly be a factor.
A couple of questions that may help narrow it down:
- Is the printer dropping offline in Square only, or does it disappear from the network entirely?
- Are you using a dedicated router/network for POS devices, or is it shared with guest/customer traffic?
- Approximately how old is the TSP100?
Those details may help determine whether you’re looking at a network issue, configuration issue, or aging hardware.
Square Champions Expert and member of the Square Champions group. (But NOT a Square employee, just a seller like you) Was my post helpful? Take just a moment to mark it as a solution.
