Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.
Common Issue: Square reader not reading chip cards, tap payments, or swipe transactions.
Fast Fixes: Clean the chip reader slot, restart the reader, reconnect it inside the Square POS app, try tap/insert/swipe alternatives, and update the Square POS app.
If the reader still won’t read cards: the chip reader or NFC antenna may be worn out. Replacing the reader is often the fastest fix. See current Square reader replacement options.
Need official help? See our Square Customer Service Guide.
Want instant troubleshooting? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
If your Square reader isn’t reading cards, whether it’s chip, tap, or swipe, this guide walks you through the fastest real-world fixes used by restaurants, food trucks, mobile vendors, and retail setups. Start with the easiest steps first, then move deeper if needed.
Table of Contents
- 1 Common Causes of Square Reader Not Reading Cards
- 2 How to Fix a Square Reader That Won’t Read Cards
- 2.1 1. Clean the Chip Reader Slot
- 2.2 2. Make Sure the Reader Is Fully Charged
- 2.3 3. Restart (Reset) the Square Reader
- 2.4 4. Reconnect the Reader Inside the Square POS App
- 2.5 5. Try Tap, Insert, or Manual Entry
- 2.6 6. Update the Square POS App
- 2.7 7. Test a Different Card
- 2.8 8. Check for Hardware Wear or Damage
- 3 When to Contact Square Support
- 4 Square Reader Not Reading Cards – FAQs
- 5 Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- 6 Thinking About Switching POS Systems?
Common Causes of Square Reader Not Reading Cards
- Dirty or obstructed chip slot
- Reader not fully seated or paired inside Square POS
- Low or dead battery
- Outdated Square POS app
- Damaged or worn chip reader pins
- Faulty NFC antenna (tap payments failing)
- Issues with the customer’s card (damaged chip/magnet)
- Software glitches
If your reader won’t connect at all, that can also prevent cards from reading. See Square Reader Not Connecting.
How to Fix a Square Reader That Won’t Read Cards
1. Clean the Chip Reader Slot
Dirt, dust, grease, and food debris are extremely common in restaurants and food trucks. Even a small amount can keep the chip pins from making contact.
- Use a soft cloth or card reader cleaning card
- Never use liquids or compressed air inside the slot
- Remove visible debris gently
2. Make Sure the Reader Is Fully Charged
A low battery can prevent the chip reader and NFC antenna from functioning properly.
- Charge the reader for at least 10–15 minutes
- Check for blinking orange or solid green lights
If the reader shows no lights, follow the steps in Square Reader Not Charging.
3. Restart (Reset) the Square Reader
A simple reboot clears internal glitches that can prevent cards from reading.
- Hold the power button
- Keep holding until all four LEDs flash red
- Release to reboot the reader
4. Reconnect the Reader Inside the Square POS App
The reader must be paired from inside the Square POS app. If it was paired from Bluetooth settings, card reading may fail entirely.
- Settings → Bluetooth → Forget the reader
- Restart your phone/tablet
- Open Square POS → Settings → Card Readers → Pair
If the reader drops connection during a transaction, it may stop reading cards.
5. Try Tap, Insert, or Manual Entry
If the chip isn’t reading, try tap. If tap isn’t reading, try inserting. If neither works, manually key in the card.
Note: Manual entry has higher fees and increases fraud risk.
6. Update the Square POS App
Many card reading issues happen due to outdated app versions.
- Open App Store or Google Play
- Search “Square Point of Sale”
- Tap Update
7. Test a Different Card
The customer’s card may have:
- a damaged chip
- a worn-out magnetic stripe
- bank-level fraud blocks
Most “not reading” errors come from the card itself.
8. Check for Hardware Wear or Damage
Square readers used daily in restaurants often develop worn or damaged chip pins after heavy use.
- Check for loose movement in the chip slot
- Look for bent or damaged pins
- Test tap vs chip to see if only one method is failing
If the chip reader or NFC antenna is worn out, replacing the reader is usually the fastest solution. See replacement Square readers.
When to Contact Square Support
If your Square reader still won’t read cards after trying these steps, you may have:
- Reader hardware failure
- A damaged NFC antenna
- A device compatibility issue
- A corrupted Square POS app installation
Get official support here:
Square Customer Service – Phone, Chat & Help Center
Square Reader Not Reading Cards – FAQs
Why isn’t my Square reader reading chip cards?
Why does tap not work on my Square reader?
Why does my reader say “try again” when inserting a card?
Can a damaged card cause Square to fail?
Do I need to replace my Square reader?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
Get step-by-step help based on your exact issue:
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select Square
- Type: “Square reader not reading cards”
- Follow the guided troubleshooting
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
