How do you diagnose and repair a POS cash drawer that is jammed or not opening?

1 Check the power

The first thing you should do is make sure that your cash drawer is getting enough power to operate. If the power cord is loose, damaged, or plugged into a faulty outlet, the cash drawer may not open. Try plugging the cord into a different outlet, or using a different cord if you have one. If the power is fine, move on to the next step.

2 Check the cable

The next thing you should do is check the cable that connects your cash drawer to your POS terminal or printer. This cable is usually a RJ11 or RJ12 phone-type cable that sends a signal to the cash drawer to open when a sale is completed. If the cable is loose, disconnected, or broken, the signal may not reach the cash drawer. Try reconnecting the cable, or replacing it with a new one if you have one. If the cable is fine, move on to the next step.

4 Check the physical mechanism

The fourth thing you should do is check the physical mechanism of your cash drawer. Sometimes, a jammed bill, coin, or object may be blocking the latch or rollers and preventing it from opening. Therefore, you should make sure there are no foreign objects inside or outside the cash drawer, that the bills and coins are neatly stacked and aligned, and that they do not exceed the capacity of the cash drawer. Additionally, check that the latch and rollers are not bent, broken, or rusted and that they move smoothly when you manually open the cash drawer with a key. If any problems are found with the physical mechanism, try to remove the jam or fix the damage. If this is not possible, you may need to replace the cash drawer.

5 Replace the cash drawer

The fifth and final thing you should do is replace the cash drawer if none of the previous steps worked, or if the problem is beyond repair. You should contact your POS system provider or manufacturer and order a new cash drawer that is compatible with your POS terminal or printer. You should also follow their instructions on how to install and configure the new cash drawer. Once you have replaced the cash drawer, test it to make sure it works properly.

6 Maintain the cash drawer

To keep your cash drawer in good working condition and prevent future problems, it is important to perform regular maintenance and cleaning. This includes cleaning the drawer with a soft cloth and mild detergent, lubricating the latch and rollers with a silicone spray or oil, checking the power cord and cable for any wear and tear, updating the software of your POS system and cash drawer regularly, and backing up your data. Additionally, it is important to count and balance your cash drawer at the end of each shift and remove any excess bills or coins. By following these steps, you can diagnose and repair a POS cash drawer that is jammed or not opening.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?