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Shopify POS Card Reader Not Pairing? (Quick Fix Guide)

Jason Feemster

November 24, 2025

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Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.

Shopify POS card reader not pairing usually shows up as the Tap & Chip reader blinking, staying unresponsive, refusing to connect, or repeatedly disconnecting during checkout. This affects Shopify’s Tap & Chip, Chip & Swipe, and older Bluetooth readers on both iPad and iPhone setups.

Below are the fastest fixes that solve 90% of pairing issues in restaurants, retail stores, and mobile setups.

Common Reasons Shopify Card Readers Fail to Pair

• Reader is not fully charged
• Reader is already paired to another device
• Bluetooth conflict or pairing stuck in cache
• Reader not put into pairing mode
• POS app is outdated
• iPad/iPhone Bluetooth needs resetting
• Reader firmware needs updating

How to Fix Shopify POS Card Reader Pairing Problems

1. Charge the Reader to 100% First

Low battery is the #1 reason Shopify card readers fail to pair. The Tap & Chip reader requires minimum voltage to activate Bluetooth.

• Plug in the reader
• Let it charge fully (solid green light)
• Try pairing again

If your reader flashes red or shuts off — this is the fix.

2. Make Sure the Reader Is Not Paired to Another Device

If a staff member paired the reader earlier, it won’t connect to a new device until it’s unpaired from the old one.

• Go to the old device
• Open Settings → Bluetooth
• Find the Shopify reader
• Tap Forget This Device

Now retry pairing on your main POS device.

3. DO NOT Pair Through iPad/iPhone Bluetooth Settings

Shopify readers must be paired **inside the Shopify POS app**, not the iPad’s Bluetooth menu. Pairing through iOS breaks the connection.

• Open Shopify POS
• Tap ≡ → Settings
• Select Set up hardware
• Choose your card reader
• Follow the on-screen pairing steps

If you paired through iOS accidentally, unpair it and restart the process through POS.

4. Reset Bluetooth on the iPad/iPhone

Bluetooth cache gets stuck often, especially when multiple devices are nearby.

• Turn Bluetooth OFF
• Wait 5 seconds
• Turn Bluetooth ON again

Now try pairing again from Shopify POS.

5. Put the Reader Back Into Pairing Mode

Shopify readers exit pairing mode if left idle or if the previous connection failed.

• Turn off the reader
• Hold the power button until lights begin flashing
• Open Shopify POS → Add Hardware

If the lights don’t blink, charge the reader first.

6. Update the Shopify POS App

Outdated versions break Bluetooth connectivity, especially after Shopify backend updates.

• Open the App Store
• Search “Shopify POS”
• Tap Update if available

Restart the POS app after updating.

7. Restart the Reader + POS Device Together

This clears any stuck Bluetooth pairing data on both ends.

• Turn off the reader
• Close Shopify POS
• Restart the iPad/iPhone
• Turn the reader back on
• Pair from inside Shopify POS

This resolves most “blinking blue light” issues.

When to Contact Shopify Support

• Reader won’t enter pairing mode
• Reader disconnects constantly while taking payments
• You see repeated pairing failed errors
• Lights flash red or patterns not shown in Shopify docs

Shopify Customer Service – Phone, Chat & Help Center

Shopify Card Reader Not Pairing – FAQs

Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant

Need step-by-step help fixing pairing issues?

• POSUSA POS Support Assistant
• Select Shopify POS
• Type: “pairing problem”
• Follow the guided troubleshooting flow

It’s fast, free, and designed for real retail and mobile checkout environments.