V1 TERMINAL - CONNECTION FAILED AND UNABLE TO USE

[THATHOSEGUY]

We opened our shop this morning and all of a sudden our terminal is a brick. I did a full factory reset and it will not connect to our internet. I just keep getting Connection Failed essentially turning the whole thing unusable. I understand they stopped sending updates for these but am praying this isn't away to force us to purchase a new one.

[Manny_SelSq]

Hate that this hit right at open. 

First option, if you can, is to keep selling on something else. I don't know what kind of shop you've got, but a phone or tablet might be enough to get you through while you sort the terminal out.

For the Connection Failed, I'd try a phone hotspot. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and turn on Allow Others to Join. Cellular data has to be on, or the hotspot won't have anything to share. If you see Maximize Compatibility, turn that on too. It puts the hotspot on WPA2, which a v1 can join. Leave that screen up so you can see the network name and password. Apple's steps are here.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/119837 

On Android, open Settings, then Network & internet > Hotspot & tethering > Wi-Fi hotspot, and turn it on. Menus differ by phone. If it lets you pick the security, use WPA2 instead of WPA3. A v1 may not join WPA3. Google's page is here.

https://support.google.com/android/answer/9059108 

On the terminal, select the phone's network and enter that password. If you're signed out and not already on the network list, it's Change Settings > Network. Square's steps are here. 

https://squareup.com/help/us/en/article/8350-troubleshoot-network-connection-on-square-terminal 

If it connects to the hotspot but not to your shop wifi, then it's the network. Your carrier may charge for the hotspot, so I wouldn't leave it running longer than you need.

If the hotspot doesn't work either, your best bet is probably contacting Square Support. They may be in the best position to help.

Good luck.