Square Reader Not Connecting

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. 1. Check the basics

   Copy steps
   1. Update the Square POS app and your phone OS
   2. Make sure the phone has internet (the app authenticates the reader)
   3. Charge the reader fully and keep it within about 10 feet, with no metal between it and the phone
   4. Confirm the serial number in the app matches the one on the reader
   Did this fix it? Yes No

2. 2. Reset Bluetooth on the phone

   Copy steps
   1. Turn Bluetooth off and on
   2. Forget the Square reader in iOS Bluetooth settings or Android connection preferences
   3. On iOS check Bluetooth permission for the Square app; on Android clear the Bluetooth cache
   4. Restart the phone
   Did this fix it? Yes No

3. 3. Restart the reader

   Copy steps
   1. Charge for at least 20 minutes
   2. Hold the button for 20 seconds until the red lights stop flashing, then release
   3. Power it on again
   Did this fix it? Yes No

4. 4. Re-pair the reader

   Copy steps
   1. Turn on Bluetooth and power on the reader
   2. In the Square app go to Settings > Hardware > Square Readers and forget any old entry
   3. Tap Connect a Reader, hold the reader button at least 3 seconds and release when the orange lights flash
   4. Confirm the pairing prompt; the reader shows Ready when connected
   Did this fix it? Yes No

5. 5. Factory reset (2nd generation and 1st generation v3 only)

   Copy steps
   1. Forget the reader on the phone and in the app
   2. Hold the button 20 seconds, power on (green LEDs), then hold 20 seconds again within 30 seconds of restarting
   3. Power on a second time; green blinking without pressing the button means the reset worked
   4. Re-pair the reader (about 5 minutes total)
   Did this fix it? Yes No

Symptoms

The Square Point of Sale app can't find the reader, shows it as not connected, or the reader blinks red or never shows 'Ready'.

Why it happens

• Reader battery too low
• Old Bluetooth pairing on the phone or in the app
• Reader still paired to another device
• Outdated POS app or phone OS
• Reader too far away or metal between reader and phone
• Phone Bluetooth permission or cache problem

This guide also covers

• square reader not connecting
• square reader won't pair
• square reader blinking red
• square reader not working

The same problem in other apps

All not loading, error messages & connection guides →

• PayPal Checkout Error: Something Went Wrong (PayPal)

Other Square errors

• Square Card Declined Error
• Square Transfer Delayed or On Hold
• Square Account Deactivated
• Square POS Offline Payments Not Syncing
• Square Chargeback or Dispute: What to Do
• How to Cancel Square Account or Subscription