Yet another POS update bug: card reader not connecting daily

Retail & Point of Sale

Topic summary

After a recent POS update, multiple merchants report the card reader fails to auto-connect for the first credit card (cc) transaction each day, forcing an app restart as a workaround.

Impact and sentiment:

  • Checkout delays, embarrassment at the counter, and reported lost sales (one merchant estimates ~20 customers left during a busy event).
  • Support is described as hard to reach and unhelpful; one business plans to switch processor/platform by year-end.

Recent developments:

  • One merchant had the first day in ~2 weeks without the morning connection issue.
  • The “00” (double-zero) key—important for fast numeric entry—appears restored.
  • A separate bug adding extra text to order emails is reported as worse.
  • New friction: POS now prompts for a title on Quick Sale (ad‑hoc) items, slowing transactions.

Open questions:

  • Whether Shopify is actively fixing these POS bugs.
  • If membership tier or using the all‑in‑one handheld POS affects reader reliability.
  • Whether Wi‑Fi conditions versus device/software are the root cause.

Status: Unresolved; users rely on daily restarts or consider leaving the platform.

Summarized with AI on January 21. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Here’s another issue I’ve found with the new POS version, in addition to the three I’ve already posted about: ever since the update, when running the first cc transaction of the day, I have to restart the app because the card reader won’t automatically connect. As if I needed another reason to be minorly embarrassed during in-person transactions, but at least it gives me time to complain about my POS system to a different customer on a daily basis. Sure, I could proactively restart the app when I get in every day, but I shouldn’t HAVE to remember to do that in order to jump yet another Shopify hurdle!

Chris

3 Likes
2

This happens to us everyday too and the support has been absolutely terrible. All of the updates have disrupted our business so much the past month+ we are switching to a new processor and platform at the end of the year. Shopify is not concerned with the functionality of their devices and their support system is exhausting, unhelpful and has quite literally made my life worse this summer.

3

Okay, so today was the first day in at least two weeks where the reader didn’t give me any problems on the first cc transaction of the day. I also saw that the request to restore the ‘00’ button has been addressed, although that weird extra text in the order emails has actually gotten worse.

But my question is: does this mean that Shopify is trying to sort out all the bugs & annoyances in the new POS? fingers crossed

Chris

4

I didn’t even see your post about the double zeros, but same grievances apparently. Makes tquick transactions way more difficult. We also now have to enter a title for a quick sale item. Is that affecting you as well? I have had the worst time trying to get through to support. Not sure what to do at this point.

5

switching to shopify was the biggest mistake of my life. Inevitably, the card reader will not work when I have a tent fill of people with a fist fill of merchandise. Last night I watched at least 20 people leave my stall. Playing ‘chicken’ with the WIFI sucks. I would be interested to know if the membership level has anything to do with it. Do the premium subscribers with the all in one hand held POS device go through this too?