I manage the Square account for a local business. We are using the Chip card readers (the $29.00 small ones) to accept cards. The readers are new (less than a month old); prior to this we had been using the card swipers (free ones) but invested in the chip readers feeling it was more secure. They are also easier to use with the "stop" on the chip side - swiping the cards can be tricky!
Anyway, after using them successfully for a couple of weeks, they no longer seem to hold a charge for more than one transaction. We have 2, (and we also tried three brand new ones recently purchased for another organization, but they have not worked either) and they are all doing the same thing. Appear to be fully charged (green light), connect successfully (says "Reader Ready") and run a transaction, maybe two, then it will not work. It still says "Reader Ready" but absolutely nothing happens when the card is inserted or swiped. Plug it in, light is orange (indicating charging), within 5 minutes or so it goes green and will work for another transaction or two. This is happening with all of the readers!!
We do have a few of the old free swipers, and they work when the chip reader does not. We are using a cellular signal, no wifi is available. The cellular network does not seem to matter - our devices are using Verizon, AT&T, and Metro PCS networks. We have the latest update to the Square Point of Sale app on all devices.
We expect a reader to last the 5 hours the business is open each day; but having to charge between transactions seems excessive. Help?
