Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.
Common Issue: MICROS card reader won’t read cards, stuck in offline payments, or declines every transaction.
Fast Fixes: Restart payment terminal, verify network connection, re-pair EMV, check merchant processor status, and confirm date/time sync.
Need official help? See our MICROS POS Support Guide
Want guided troubleshooting? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
MICROS card reader not processing payments? Chips won’t read, contactless won’t activate, or every card fails with generic decline codes. When payments stop, the line stops — so we need a fast fix.
This guide helps you quickly restore card processing so you can keep revenue flowing.
Table of Contents
Common Reasons MICROS Card Readers Fail
- Payment terminal lost network connection
- Payment app or EMV driver crash
- Terminal not properly paired with workstation
- Date/time mismatch on workstation or BOH server
- Merchant processor outage or declined routing
- Damaged card reader hardware or ports
How to Fix MICROS Card Reader Issues
1. Restart the Card Reader
A reboot clears temporary crashes and re-establishes the payment app connection.
- Disconnect power from EMV terminal
- Wait 10 seconds
- Reconnect and allow it to fully reboot
Once it restarts, test chip and tap transactions again.
2. Confirm Network Connectivity
If the payment terminal loses network access, transactions will fail or revert to offline mode.
- Check Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi status
- Look for link/activity lights on the payment device
- Test internet on the workstation
No network = no card approvals.
3. Re-Pair the EMV Terminal to the Workstation
If the terminal doesn’t know which workstation initiated the payment, it won’t complete the transaction.
- Open MICROS payment device settings
- Select the correct card reader and workstation pairing
- Restart the MICROS app before retrying
This is common after network changes or hardware swaps.
4. Verify Date & Time Accuracy
If the terminal clock drifts, processors may auto-decline transactions for security reasons.
- Check date/time on workstation and BOH server
- Sync both if there’s a mismatch
Wrong time = instant declines.
5. Test Multiple Cards / Payment Types
This helps confirm whether the issue is terminal-based or card-specific.
- Test chip, swipe, and contactless tap
- Try a different payment card
- Look for repeatable error codes
If only one card fails → customer issue. If all cards fail → system issue.
6. Check for Processor Outages
Sometimes the problem isn’t local — the merchant processor may be down.
- Check processor status or alerts if available
- Ask other terminals if they’re experiencing declines
If multiple terminals fail at once, it’s likely a processor issue.
7. Inspect the Card Reader for Damage
Card slots can become worn, clogged, or liquid-damaged — especially in bars and high-volume environments.
- Check for debris or liquid inside the slot
- Look for bent contacts or cracked casing
- If damaged → replace the reader
Physical damage means a hardware repair or swap is needed.
When to Contact MICROS Support
- Terminal shows “Not Configured” and won’t pair
- Payments decline but network and pairing are confirmed good
- Firmware or processor configuration errors keep recurring
- Physical device damage prevents secure card reading
👉 MICROS SUPPORT – Phone & Online Customer Service
MICROS Payment Issues – FAQs
Why is every card declining?
Why won’t EMV chip payments work?
How can I tell if it’s a hardware problem?
Why are contactless payments not activating?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
Need step-by-step help fixing MICROS card reader issues?
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select MICROS
- Type: “card reader not processing payments”
- Get real-time troubleshooting steps
Get back to accepting payments fast — even during the dinner rush.
Thinking About Switching POS Systems?
If you’re dealing with repeated POS issues, it might be time to compare more reliable options built for restaurants and retail businesses.
Takes 30 seconds • No sales pressure
