Receipt Printer No longer Compatible

[hamiltonsofpelh]

I have a Star TSP143lllU receipt printer no longer compatible with my POS, is there a work around? as we do not want to buy a new one.

[VipulBudhiraja]

If your Star TSP143IIIU receipt printer is no longer compatible with your POS system, here are a few workarounds to try before considering a new printer:

Solution

1. Update or Reinstall Printer Drivers:

   • Visit the Star Micronics website and download the latest driver for the TSP143IIIU. Sometimes, updating or reinstalling the driver resolves compatibility issues.
   • Ensure your POS software is also up-to-date, as compatibility can change with new versions.

2. Use Star CloudPRNT (If Supported by POS):

   • Star Micronics offers a CloudPRNT service that allows the printer to connect to the POS via the internet, making it compatible with cloud-based POS systems.
   • Check if your POS system supports CloudPRNT. If so, set up the TSP143IIIU to connect via CloudPRNT rather than direct USB.

3. Set Up as a Network Printer (Ethernet Workaround):

   • Some users have had success with USB-to-Ethernet adapters with Star printers. Connect the USB end to the printer and the Ethernet end to your router, allowing the POS to recognize it as a network printer.
   • Note: Not all USB-to-Ethernet adapters will work with Star printers, so it’s best to test compatibility.

4. Use a USB Virtual Serial Port (Advanced):

   • The TSP143IIIU can sometimes work with POS systems that support serial connections by configuring it as a USB virtual serial port.
   • Use Star’s configuration software (such as StarPRNT Utility) to set the printer to emulate a serial connection, and then configure the POS software to connect to it as a serial printer.

5. Consult POS Support or Integrators:

   • Some POS systems may have unofficial workarounds for Star printers, which can be found through POS support or user communities.
   • POS providers often work with integrators who may offer custom solutions to maintain compatibility with your existing hardware.

These solutions should help keep your printer functioning without replacement. For additional options, checking with Star or your POS provider may reveal more compatibility solutions.

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[Smoketronics]

We're are in exactly the same situation. 2 of our retail outlets have been locked out of their cash drawers because Shopify have removed the ability to use these USB printers. They have been working perfectly for the past 5 years, and then all of a sudden, and without warning, we are forced in to buying 2 £300 printers. 

[csmithw]

SAME BOAT THIS IS BULL**bleep**! We submitted a ticket with star and waiting for them to get back to us. how can they do with no warning!?

[hamiltonsofpelh]

I spoke to Star, they said they can not do anything about and did not have a work around.

[hamiltonsofpelh]

Spoke to Star, they do not have a work around.

[Smoketronics]

I believe this is called "forced obsolescence", a very shady business practice between large companies to force small business in to unnecessary expense and waste.

[SugaredOpal]

Did you ever find a work around? I am livid with Shopify over this.  What was the reasoning and why were we not informed before hand!!! 

[hamiltonsofpelh]

No success yet.

[heartwood24]

We are in the same boat! It seems so wasteful (of money, of having to trash a perfectly good working printer, time, etc) to have to buy a new printer because of this. Has anyone had success with the ethernet workaround? I will try it but don't want to buy the extra cords and such if it's not going to help. 

[StarEMEAsupport]

Star Support have also seen this issue in the last few weeks, and we have informed Shopify.

The TSP100IIIU, and USB printers in general, are not officially supported by Shopify, but as the communication method is essentially the same as for our other supported printers, it has worked for many years, although functionality would unlikely be tested as part of an app update release.

The latest release 9.21.2 (No. 36633) of the Shopify application has now restored the ability to print to a TSP100IIIU printer in our testing.

We sincerely hope that this solves all of your issues.

[JessLallier]

Anyone have any luck with this?  Mine is still not working with update? 

[heartwood24]

Hey! Mine is working fine again. I had to go to the app store and install the new shopify update. Then turned everything off and on again and it worked no problem! Hope it works for you!

[hamiltonsofpelh]

With the new update, our receipt printer is working again.

[NigelFord]

I had a long conversation with Support about this. Was told the model is no longer supported.  Raised it with Star who told me today that the latest app version restores functionality.  So updated the app and indeed the printers now work.

We badly need a Known Issues page  and a better informed support staff. 

But also, instead of coming on here to complain to other users, we need more users to raise it via chat with Shopify Support. The more pressure is put on them the more likely they are to react