If your Square reader isn’t connecting, re-pair in the app, charge fully, update firmware, and use the 20-second reset when needed.
When a card reader refuses to pair, sales stall and stress climbs. This guide gets you back to taking payments fast with battle-tested steps that work for the Square contactless and chip reader. You’ll find quick wins, a broad troubleshooting table, clear reset instructions, and the exact phone settings to check on iOS and Android. Links to official help pages are included where it counts, so you’re never guessing.
Fix Square Reader Not Connecting Fast
Start here. These steps solve most pairing issues in a couple of minutes. Follow them in order and test after each one.
- Wake and charge the reader. Plug it in for 20–30 minutes. A low battery can make Bluetooth flaky. To read charge level, press the reader button: four green lights (full), down to one blinking red (low).
- Put the reader in pairing mode. Press and hold the button for about 3 seconds, then release when you see orange lights pulsing. Red lights mean you held too long—try again with a shorter press. See Square’s pairing guide for light patterns and app prompts (Bluetooth pairing steps).
- Connect inside the Square app. Open Square POS → Settings → Hardware → Connect a Reader. Avoid pairing from your phone’s Bluetooth menu first; let the app do the handshake.
- Forget old pairings. In your phone/tablet Bluetooth list, remove the reader. In the Square app, disconnect any saved reader. Then reconnect from the app so you start fresh.
- Toggle Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. Simple, but it clears many stale sessions.
- Move closer. Set the reader within 6–12 inches of the device. Put phones, laptops, and other Bluetooth gear a few feet away to cut interference.
- Update the Square app and OS. Install the latest POS app and make sure your iOS/Android version is current. Square’s app troubleshooting page lists the exact update paths for each platform (POS app troubleshooting).
- Restart both devices. Power off the phone/tablet and the reader. Power on the phone/tablet first, then the reader, then reconnect in the app.
Quick Symptoms And Fixes
This table compresses common symptoms, likely causes, and the best next move. Work across the row that matches what you see.
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Try This |
|---|---|---|
| Reader not found in app | Not in pairing mode; stale pairing | Hold 3 seconds for orange lights; forget old entries; connect in app |
| Reader flashes red on press | Held the button too long | Release sooner; aim for orange lights for pairing |
| Connects, then drops | Low battery; interference | Charge 30 minutes; keep reader near device; reduce nearby Bluetooth gear |
| Reader appears in phone Bluetooth only | Paired outside the Square app | Forget in phone settings; connect from Square POS → Hardware |
| Won’t finish pairing on iOS | Permissions blocked | Enable Bluetooth and Location access for Square in Settings |
| Won’t finish pairing on Android | Location/Bluetooth permission missing | Grant Location and Nearby Devices; then pair in the app |
| Reader worked yesterday, dead today | Firmware or app update pending | Update app; wake reader and let firmware update complete in the app |
| Reader connects to the wrong device | Auto-reconnect on a second phone/tablet | Turn off Bluetooth on the other device; pair again |
Why Pairing Fails And How To Spot It
Battery Level And Charging
A weak battery can make the connection flake out. Square documents the LED battery meter: four green lights (full), down to one blinking red (charge now). Unplug to read the LEDs, then top up if needed (battery indicator table).
Correct Pairing Mode
The reader must show orange pulsing lights to accept pairing. Press and hold the button for about 3 seconds, release on orange, then pick the reader from the Square app’s Connect a Reader screen. Red lights mean you started a different sequence; start over with a shorter press (pairing guide).
Old Or Conflicting Pairings
Readers love to jump back to the last device they met. If you used this reader with another phone or tablet, switch Bluetooth off on that device or forget the reader there. Then remove the reader from your current device’s Bluetooth list and connect fresh inside the Square app.
App Permissions That Block Payments
Square’s mobile SDK and POS app require Bluetooth access and Location access to complete payments. On iOS, open Settings → Square and enable Bluetooth and Location. On Android, open Settings → Apps → Square → Permissions and allow Location and Nearby Devices (names vary by version). Developers also call this out in Square’s docs—grant both permissions or pairing can stall.
OS, App, And Reader Software Versions
Pairings often fail when one piece lags behind. Update iOS or Android, update the Square POS app, and let the reader finish any firmware update when prompted by the app. For terminals and registers, Square provides a built-in “Check for Update” flow under Hardware → General → About.
Distance, Metal, And Wireless Noise
Bluetooth works best at arm’s length with a clear path. Thick cases, cash drawers, or metal stands can block signal. Keep the reader within a foot of your device during pairing. Put other Bluetooth gear a few feet away while you connect. After pairing, you can spread out a bit more.
Reset And Update The Reader Safely
If the quick steps didn’t work, use the official reset. It clears glitches without hurting your account or sales history.
Soft Reset (Try First)
- Hold the reader button for 3 seconds, release on orange lights.
- Reconnect inside the Square app (Settings → Hardware → Connect a Reader).
Factory Reset (When The Reader Misbehaves)
- Hold the reader button for 20 seconds until red lights appear. Keep holding until they stop.
- Wait 10 seconds, then press again to turn it on (green lights).
- Within 30 seconds, repeat the 20-second hold. This completes the reset cycle documented by Square’s support team.
- Open the app and pair again from Settings → Hardware → Connect a Reader.
If power issues keep coming back, follow Square’s charging checklist and cable tips on their help page for the contactless and chip reader.
Phone And Tablet Checks That Matter
Many pairing problems come down to device settings. Use this section as a quick audit for iOS and Android.
iPhone And iPad
- Settings → Bluetooth: On.
- Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Square: “While Using” or “Always”.
- Settings → Square → Bluetooth: On; Location: Allowed; Nearby Devices (if shown): On.
- App Store → Updates: Install the latest Square POS app.
- General → Software Update: Install current iOS/iPadOS.
- If pairing stalls, force-quit the Square app, reboot the device, then pair from the app.
Android Phones And Tablets
- Settings → Bluetooth: On.
- Settings → Apps → Square → Permissions: Allow Location and Nearby Devices (names vary by vendor/OS).
- Google Play → Manage apps: Update Square POS.
- Settings → System → Software update: Install current Android version.
- Clear stale Bluetooth cache if your device offers it, then restart and pair from the app.
One Reader, One Device Rule
Keep the reader paired to one phone or tablet at a time. If you share gear at markets or pop-ups, ask others to turn off Bluetooth on their phones during your pairing to stop auto-reconnects.
Model Notes You Should Know
- Contactless and chip reader (Bluetooth). This is the small square puck used with phones and tablets. It pairs over Bluetooth and shows the orange pairing lights described above.
- Magstripe reader (headphone jack/Lightning/USB-C). This one doesn’t pair over Bluetooth. If swipes fail, check the port, reseat the reader, or test another port/adapter.
- Terminal/Register/Handheld. These are all-in-one devices with their own update paths under Hardware → General → About. Use the built-in “Check for Update” if card reading stops after a software change.
When Firmware Updates Pop Up
Leave the reader near the device, on charge, and let the app finish the update before taking payments. Interrupting a firmware install can cause repeat disconnects until it completes.
Settings Checklist By Platform
Use this list during events or rush hours when time is tight.
| Setting | iOS Path | Android Path |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Settings → Bluetooth → On | Settings → Bluetooth → On |
| Square App Permissions | Settings → Square → Bluetooth, Location | Settings → Apps → Square → Permissions → Location, Nearby Devices |
| App Updates | App Store → Updates → Square | Google Play → Manage apps → Square |
| OS Updates | Settings → General → Software Update | Settings → System → Software update |
| Reader Firmware | Square POS → Settings → Hardware → Connect and update | Square POS → Settings → Hardware → Connect and update |
| Old Pairings | Settings → Bluetooth → “i” → Forget | Settings → Bluetooth → Gear icon → Unpair |
Advanced Fixes For Stubborn Cases
Do A Clean Pair
- In phone settings, forget the reader.
- In Square POS, disconnect any saved reader.
- Restart phone/tablet.
- Wake the reader and enter pairing mode (orange lights).
- Open Square POS → Settings → Hardware → Connect a Reader.
Clear Interference And Re-Test
- Move USB hubs, laptops, and metal stands away during pairing.
- Turn off nearby Bluetooth speakers, watches, or printers for a minute.
- Keep the reader within 6–12 inches of the device.
Use The Documented Reset If Needed
If the reader still won’t stay connected, perform the 20-second reset cycle listed earlier, then pair only from the app. Square’s help pages outline the same sequence and note the red/orange light timing.
When To Swap Hardware Or Ask For Help
If pairing fails after a full clean pair, a reset, app/OS updates, and a charged battery, test with another phone or tablet. If it pairs on the second device, the issue lives in the first device’s settings or Bluetooth stack. If it fails on both, the reader may need replacement. For business-critical setups, keep a spare on hand and consider a dock or stand to reduce drops and interference at checkout.
Printable Action Plan
Before The Event
- Charge readers to full (four green lights).
- Update iOS/Android and the Square app.
- Pack a known-good cable and charger.
- Label which reader pairs with which device.
At The Booth Or Counter
- Keep the reader within a foot of your device.
- Use the app to connect; avoid pairing from system Bluetooth first.
- If it drops, try the quick trio: toggle Bluetooth → wake reader (orange) → reconnect in the app.
Emergency Reset Path
- Hold 3 seconds for orange, try to connect.
- If still stuck: 20-second hold until red, wait, power on, repeat 20-second hold, then pair in the app.
Helpful Official Resources
For reference while you work, Square’s help center documents pairing steps, LED patterns, battery indicators, and update flows:
Bluetooth pairing steps and
contactless and chip reader setup.
Bottom Line Fix List
- Charge the reader; confirm LEDs.
- Use the Square app to pair while orange lights pulse.
- Forget old pairings on every device.
- Grant Bluetooth and Location permissions.
- Update app, OS, and reader firmware.
- Keep the reader close; clear interference.
- Run the 20-second reset cycle if pairing still fails.
Follow the steps above, and your reader should connect and stay stable through busy hours. Keep this page handy before markets, fairs, and peak rushes so you can fix issues in minutes and keep payments flowing.