Vending Machine Card Reader Not Working: SOLVED

Running a vending machine business comes with a lot of challenges, especially if you’re trying to keep up with the cashless world we’re living in today.

In some cases, you may find your vending machine card reader not working and the machine requests a cash payment instead. So why does this happen and how to solve this issue?

Vending machine card readers may not work due to errors related to – reading the card, encoding the transaction, connection problems, and receipt printer. Luckily, you can fix these issues by resetting the machine among other solutions.

If you want to find out more about these problems, this article has got you covered! Keep on reading for more information about the types of card reader errors and the best ways to solve them.

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Reasons Why Your Vending Machine Card Reader Isn’t Working

There’s a wide variety of reasons why the card reader in your vending machine may not be working. To help you troubleshoot this problem and fix a proper fix for it, let’s have a quick look at some of the most common problems and errors that will cause it.

1. Card Reading Errors

The most common reason for a card reader to not work is usually the simplest! If your card reader or cards are dusty or have dirt on the magnetic stripe of the card, the card reading process may fail.

The easiest solution to this problem is to wipe both the card and the card reader with a dry, clean piece of cloth, then try again.

2. Processing Issues

Sometimes, the magnetic stripe would be working just fine but the machine still won’t accept the card payment, which can happen for a wide range of reasons.

For example, the machine might encounter a bug or an error during the process that prevents it from going through.

If the information of the card is corrupted the machine will continue declining the card for security reasons.

3. Connection Timeouts

To process the information on the card and complete the transaction process, the vending machine will need to communicate with the bank, which requires a steady connection.

If the machine starts displaying errors like “connection timeout” or “please pay in cash – connection lost”, the problem is mostly due to connection errors.

4. Receipt Printer Errors

While this may vary from one card reader to another, some of them may not complete the transaction if the receipt printer isn’t working.

In that situation, even if your card reader is connected and capable of processing the transaction, the machine might still end up displaying errors with codes that indicate a problem with the receipt printer.

5. The Card Reader is Outdated

Vending machines can last for over 15 to 20 years. So, if you’re using an old vending machine, there’s a chance that the card reader system in them is too old to operate properly or not supported anymore.

Card reader providers update their card reader options frequently to improve their security and avoid bugs and exploitive measures. If your reader is outdated, it will display an error and decline the transaction.

How to Fix Vending Machine Card Reader Problems

Now that you know more about the reasons why your card reader isn’t working, let’s have a quick look at some of the solutions and methods that you can use to fix the problem:

1. Reset and Update the Card Reader Firmware

If your vending machine card reader used to work properly before but has stopped recently or is displaying an error regarding the connection, the first thing you need to consider to fix the issue is resetting the vending machine card reader.

The method of resetting your vending machine card reader will vary from one model to the other. While most of them will reset by turning the card reader off then on again, some may require a long press on the green button until the screen is turned off.

To find the method of resetting the card reader, you should check the user manual or call the machine provider for proper instructions.

You should also make sure that the device is updated to the latest firmware, as many vending machine owners reported that the problem is gone after updates.

2. Reset the Vending Machine

In some cases, there might be a communication error between the vending machine and the card reader. The best way to solve this problem is by resetting the vending machine.

Like the card reader, this will also vary depending on the vending machine model, so you have to check the user manual for instructions on how to do it.

3. Check the Receipt Printer

If the card reader device prints out receipts, make sure that it has proper paper rolls installed and check that it works properly.

Keep in mind that the printer is rarely the problem, but eliminating it as a culprit is always necessary.

4. Request Professional Help

If resetting the card reader doesn’t fix the problem, you should avoid the temptation of tampering with their settings.

Instead, you should call the card reader provider and contact a customer service agent to help you with the troubleshooting process.

5. Get a New Card Reader

If all else fails, your best bet is to get a new card reader. If you have an outdated one, this actually comes with various benefits.

For example, a new card reader will accept new services that your old reader may not support, this includes a wider range of cashless payments, including paying with PayPal and mobile wallets in addition to regular bank cards.

Conclusion

With that said, you now know more about the reasons why your vending machine card reader isn’t working in addition to various solutions and tips that can help you solve the problem.

Since card readers may not work for various reasons, it’s always best that you avoid tampering with the card reader settings and contact the card reader provider company to send professional help.

Vending Machine Card Reader Not Working: SOLVED