Get Help With Toast Card Reader Connection Issue

Troubleshoot a Toast card reader that won't connect—including the "Searching for BBPOS Chipper 2x" message (legacy) or "Unable to communicate with reader" (TDA300/TOC300)—so you can take payments again.

In this Article:

• Before You Begin
• Quick Fix
• If You See "Searching for BBPOS Chipper 2x" or "Searching for BBPOS MSR" (Legacy)
• If You See "Unable to Communicate with Reader" (TDA300/TOC300)
• If Tap-to-Pay Stops Working When a Swipe Reader Is Connected
• If the Card Reader Test Shows a Failure
• Before You Contact Toast Customer Care
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Related Articles

Before You Begin

Applies to: Toast POS, Toast Flex terminal, Toast Tap (legacy, TDA300, or TOC300), magnetic stripe reader (MSR) | Permissions needed: Access to the Toast POS app on the affected device

What you'll accomplish: Restore the connection between your terminal and your card reader so it can process payments, or confirm that the reader needs to be replaced.

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Quick Fix

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If You See "Searching for BBPOS Chipper 2x" or "Searching for BBPOS MSR" (Legacy)

This message means your terminal is trying to reach your card reader but can't detect it right now. "Searching for BBPOS Chipper 2x" refers to your legacy Toast Tap® reader, and "Searching for BBPOS MSR" refers to your magnetic stripe (swipe) reader. In most cases the USB connection has dropped.

Note: This exact message only applies to legacy readers. If you have a TDA300 or TOC300, see If You See "Unable to Communicate with Reader" below instead.

To restore the connection:

1. Confirm the card reader's USB cable is firmly and securely seated in the terminal's USB port.
2. Restart the terminal by holding the power button until it turns off, waiting 30 seconds, and then powering it back on.
3. If the message remains, move the reader to a different USB port on the terminal. You may need to remove a small cover plate to reach another port.
4. Reopen the Toast POS app and run a test payment.

If the message remains, reset the USB detection on the terminal using the following steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > About Device > USB Detection.
2. Select Reset All.
3. Restart the terminal

After the terminal restarts, test the card reader functionality with a real credit card payment.

Expected outcome: The "Searching for BBPOS" message clears and your reader processes a payment.

If the issue persists, contact Toast Customer Care to arrange next steps

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If You See "Unable to Communicate with Reader" (TDA300/TOC300)

This is the current-generation equivalent of a lost connection. TDA300 and TOC300 don't use the "Searching for BBPOS" message—instead, the Card Reader Test App shows "Unable to communicate with reader" when the terminal can't detect the reader.

For TDA300 (Direct Attach):

1. Confirm the reader is fully seated in the terminal port.
2. Confirm the three captive screws are tightened—do not overtighten.
3. Restart the terminal.
4. Navigate to Toast POS Setup > Device Setup > Card Reader Test App and recheck the Payment Readiness screen.

For TOC300 (On-Counter):

1. Confirm you're using the correct cable for your setup (USB-A end for a Toast Printer, Printing Hub, or Elo V3/V4; USB-C with thumbscrew for a Printing Hub or Flex 3 stand; USB-C without thumbscrew for the back of a Flex 14" or Flex 22" terminal).
2. Reseat both ends of the cable, or try connecting the reader directly to the terminal instead of through a printer or Guest-Facing Display.
3. Restart the terminal.
4. Navigate to Toast POS Setup > Device Setup > Card Reader Test App and recheck the Payment Readiness screen.

Note: Third-party USB-C cables are not supported for TOC300—only use the cables provided with your reader.

Expected outcome: The Payment Readiness screen shows 4 of 4 checks passed, and your reader processes a payment.

If the issue persists after trying the steps above, continue to If the Card Reader Test Shows a Failure.

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If Tap-to-Pay Stops Working When a Swipe Reader Is Connected

If your Toast Tap® stops working when a magnetic stripe (swipe) reader is also connected, unplug the swipe reader and troubleshoot the Toast Tap® connection.

To restore tap-to-pay:

1. Unplug the magnetic stripe (swipe) reader from the terminal, leaving only the Toast Tap® connected. If your swipe reader is screwed in, unscrew it first.
2. For legacy or TOC300: confirm the USB cable is firmly and securely seated in the terminal's USB port. For TDA300: confirm the three captive screws are tightened.
3. Restart the terminal by holding the power button until it turns off, waiting 30 seconds, and then powering it back on.
4. Reopen the Toast POS app and run a test payment.
5. If tap-to-pay still isn't working, and you have a legacy reader or TOC300, move it to a different USB port on the terminal (you may need to remove a small cover plate to reach another port). TDA300 has only one mount location, so there is no port to move it to—continue to the next step instead.
6. Reopen the Toast POS app and run a test payment.

If tap-to-pay still isn't working, reset the USB detection on the terminal using the following steps:

1. Navigate to Settings > About Device > USB Detection.
2. Select Reset All.
3. Restart the terminal.

After the terminal restarts, test the Toast Tap® with a real credit card payment.

Expected outcome: Tap-to-pay works again.

If tap-to-pay is now working, reattach the magnetic stripe (swipe) reader.

If tap-to-pay is still not working, continue to the If the Card Reader Test Shows a Failure section.

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If the Card Reader Test Shows a Failure

You can unplug the faulty reader and have it replaced, or purchase a new one, depending on warranty start date. If you are using a dual card reader, the functioning card reader can be used solo while the replacement card reader is on its way.

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Before You Contact Toast Customer Care

If the Card Reader Test confirms a hardware failure, or the reader still won't connect after every step above, Toast Customer Care can provide additional troubleshooting (if applicable), and help arrange a replacement. Have this information ready so the conversation moves quickly:

• The result you saw in the Card Reader Test (legacy) or Payment Readiness screen (TDA300/TOC300)
• Which reader is affected, and which generation (legacy, TDA300, or TOC300)
• The steps you have already tried

Contact Toast Customer Care to arrange next steps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does "searching for bbpos chipper 2x" mean?

"Searching for BBPOS Chipper 2x" means your terminal is trying to connect to your legacy Toast Tap® card reader but can't detect it right now. It is usually a dropped USB connection rather than a broken reader. Reseat the reader's USB cable, restart the terminal, and try a different USB port, then run a test payment. This message is specific to legacy readers—if you have a TDA300 or TOC300, you'll see "Unable to communicate with reader" instead.

Also asked as:

• What does searching for BBPOS chipper mean?
• Why does my POS say searching for BBPOS?
• What is BBPOS on my card reader?

What does "unable to communicate with reader" mean?

This is the TDA300/TOC300 equivalent of a lost connection, shown in the Card Reader Test App. For TDA300, confirm the captive screws are tightened. For TOC300, confirm you're using the correct cable and reseat both ends. See If You See "Unable to Communicate with Reader" for full steps.

Why does my card reader keep going offline during service?

A card reader that keeps going offline during service—forcing you to unplug it or restart the terminal to take payments—usually has an intermittent USB connection (legacy/TOC300) or unseated screws (TDA300). Reseat the cable or check the screws, restart the terminal, and run the appropriate Card Reader Test to confirm the reader is healthy. If the test fails, contact Toast Customer Care about a replacement.

Also asked as:

• Why does my card reader keep disconnecting?
• My tap reader goes down and I have to unplug it, is that normal?
• Why does my reader power cycle on its own?

Can I use my Toast Tap® while I wait for a replacement swipe reader?

Yes, you can use your Toast Tap® by itself while you wait for a replacement swipe reader. Unplug the faulty swipe reader and reconnect your Toast Tap, and it should keep processing payments until the replacement arrives. This applies regardless of reader generation.

Also asked as:

• Can I still take payments while my swipe reader is broken?
• What do I do in the meantime if my reader failed?

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Related Articles

• Get Help With Toast Card Reader
• Get Help With Your Magnetic Stripe Card Reader
• Get Help with Card Reader Error: Unable to Read Card
• Identify Your Card Reader Type
• Get Help: Troubleshoot Toast Go Error Messages

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