Star Micronics Bluetooth Troubleshooting

Unfortunately, your printer can at times run into issues.

Troubleshooting FAQ

These guides cover talech Register and related POS equipment. Paytura is your merchant services partner; talech provides the register software and device support referenced in these articles.

Unfortunately, your printer can at times run into issues. You can use control F or command f to search for your specific error in this article. 

This article refers to troubleshooting for Bluetooth printers only: these are the sm-t300i, mPOP, TSP650ii possibly the mC-Print3 if your printer is set up using Bluetooth.
 

Table of Contents

Printer disconnects from iPad

The printer can disconnect for a number of reasons, usually, the printer will automatically connect but if it does not you can follow the steps below.

  1. Check the printer for any error lights.
  2. Make sure the paper isn’t low and the paper port is completely closed.
  3. If applicable, check the printer’s connection status via the light on the back.
  4. Verify that the iPad’s Bluetooth is turned on and confirm that the printer is available and connected in the iPad settings.
  5. Then go to the back office settings and ensure the printer is selected on the Printer Management page.
  6. If the printer appears but is not printing, force close the app, go to the Bluetooth settings, forget the printer, turn the printer off and reconnect using the setup steps linked at the bottom of this page for your specific model. 
  7. Reset your network settings through your iPad. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This will reset your Bluetooth connections, but it will erase saved Wi-Fi passwords, so make sure these are recovered before proceeding with this step.
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 Write port exception

This error simply means the talech register app could not send the necessary data to the printers input port. 

  1. Ensure the printer is loaded with paper, turned on, and in-range.
  2. Verify the printer is connected in iOS under Settings > Bluetooth > My Devices.
  3. If your iPad has recently updated to iOS 14 or over, please make sure your Bluetooth and Local Network permissions are enabled. Settings > Privacy > toggle on Bluetooth > toggle on Local Network.
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Printing blank paper

If your printer is printing blank paper 

Firstly check that the printer has sufficient and correct paper

SM-T300i, mC-Print3, TSP650ii, mPOP - Thermal printers need thermal paper that will have a slight sheen on it, if you scratch it with a fingernail it will leave a mark. Check the paper is inserted correctly.

Check the printing mechanism

For thermal printers, if the printer is hotter than usual to the touch or there is a burning smell the thermal head may have burned out. This will require replacement, please contact whoever your hardware provider is.

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No paper coming out

Is the printer making a printing sound?

If yes, check for a paper jam: open the lid, adjust the paper roll and ensure the lid shuts correctly. Check that the paper is the correct paper - see instructions above. 

For the paper specifications for your specific printer, you can see the setup articles which are linked at the bottom of this article. 

Is the printer silent?

If yes, check that the printer is turned on

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TSP650 Bluetooth LED codes

It can be helpful when troubleshooting to get more information about the nature of the issue. On the back of the TSP560 there is a light that will indicate the states of Bluetooth connection.

LED Color
Description
Solid Green
The printer is not paired to any host device.
Blinking Green
The printer is ready to be paired. This should occur after pressing and releasing the 'PAIR' button.
Solid Blue
The printer is paired to a host device.
Slow Blinking Purple
The printer is paired to a host device and has the auto-reconnect feature enabled.

 

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mC-Print3 - Reset to factory default settings

Since the mC-Print3 can function as a Bluetooth or network printer, you may need to reset the printer to factory settings in order to change the way it is set up. Turn the printer off and follow this process:

  1. Insert a pen or a fine point tool into the RESET hole on the back of the printer. While holding down the RESET button, press and release the POWER button.
  2. Continue holding down the RESET button until the green Network LED on the front of the printer flashes. Release the RESET button once the green Network LED is flashing.
  3. Press the feed button to select which communication interface(s) you would like to reset: LAN, Bluetooth, or both.
  4. Once the desired interface is blinking, hold down the FEED button to confirm the selection.
  5. The printer will be re-initialized with factory default settings.
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TSP650ii - Enabling Auto-Connect

Star Micronics offers an app for the iPad which will allow you to rename or update the settings of the printer. You can download this app from the App Store by searching 'Star Micronics' and selecting 'Star Settings Utility'. 

Updating the printer’s name

  1. Tap on Device Name.
  2. Update the name and hit Done in the top right corner.
  3. Hit Done again and select Update.
  4. Turn the printer off and on. Establish pairing again in the Bluetooth section.

Enable Auto Connect

You may be advised to enable the auto-connect on the printer if you are having persistent connection issues.

  1. Set the Auto-Connect Switch to on (Green).
  2. Hit Done in the top right corner and select Update.
  3. Turn the printer off and on, then establish pairing again in the Bluetooth section.
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Renaming TSP650 Printer in iOS

If multiple TSP650 printers are installed close together, the printers must be renamed to prevent accidentally mixing up printers between iPads.

To rename the printer, follow the steps below and repeat these steps for each iPad/printer pair.

  1. First, download the Star Bluetooth Utility from the AppStore.
  2. Force-close the talech app.
  3. Unpair any TSP650 printers from any iPad they are paired with.
  4. Turn off all TSP650 printers except the one you are working on.
  5. Ensure the printer you will be working with is paired to the iPad you are currently using.
  6. Launch the Star Utility app.
  7. Select the printer then ensure the Auto Connect option is enabled.
  8. Tap on iOS Port Name and change the value to something meaningful i.e.: "ReceiptPrinter1" or "Coffee Dock".
  9. Tap on Done.
  10. Unpair and re-pair the printer in the iOS settings.
  11. Force-close the Star Utility application (the app must be closed before talech can detect the printer).
  12. Auto-detect the printer in the talech Register.
  13. If the printer is now detected successfully, delete the Star Utility to prevent accidentally launching it in the future as the utility can block the talech app from using the printer while it is open, even in the background.
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Need more help?

  • talech training & device support (24/7): 1-888-995-1998
  • Paytura merchant support (24/5): 1-855-4-PAYTURA or contact Paytura

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