Troubleshooting a Presto reader displaying a spinning wheel. Includes diagnostic steps, preventative measures, and safety warnings for commercial kiosks.
Measure the DC output with a multimeter. Compare to the nameplate rating.
Inspect for frayed wires, bent connectors, or crushed cables.
Check the network cable and indicator lights on the reader and network switch.
The spinning wheel typically indicates that the main processor is unable to complete its boot sequence or is stuck in a loop. This can be caused by corrupted firmware, a hardware fault affecting the boot process (e.g., flash memory corruption), insufficient voltage from the power supply, or a fault in the communications between the card reader and the host system. Signal attenuation due to damaged cables is a possible factor.
Regularly inspect cables for damage and ensure they are properly secured. Clean the card reader surface with a soft, dry cloth to prevent dust accumulation. Avoid exposing the reader to extreme temperatures or humidity. Use appropriate surge protection.
If the spinning wheel appears after a power outage, the reader's internal clock may be out of sync. This can sometimes be resolved by forcing a network time synchronization (NTP) update via the reader's configuration menu (if accessible) or by contacting Presto support to push a configuration update.