Receipt Printer Red Error Light Is On

Use this page when the receipt printer has a solid or flashing red light. Covers lid latch, paper jam, paper path clearing, and power cycling the printer to clear the error.

Use this when the receipt printer has a red error light

Use this when the printer won’t print and you see a solid or flashing red light.

Stop rule

After every step, check the red error light.

If it turns off, stop and print a test receipt.

Clear the error by latching the lid, clearing jams/debris, and reseating power. Check the red light after every step. Stop when it turns off.

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The error light is always On when the printer lid is open.

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Symptoms

You may see one or more of the following:

Red Error light lit on printer

• Solid or flashing red light on printer

• Not printing + red error light

• Red light after a paper jam or paper reload

• Lid looks closed but the red light stays on

Most often this means: The printer detected a fault. It’s usually a lid not latched, paper jam/debris, or a loose power connection.

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Not your issue?

• Printer has no lights at all → use Receipt Printer No Power - Power LED Is Off

• POS shows “Receipt Printer Unavailable” → use "Receipt Printer Unavailable" Error Fix

• Receipts print random symbols/gibberish → use Receipt Printer Printing Gibberish or Random Characters

• Printer feeds paper, but new sales receipts don’t print → use New Receipts Not Printing - Reprints Work But New Sales Receipts Don't

Before you start (quick checks)

• Is the printer lid fully closed and latched?

• Is paper loaded correctly, and is it printing smoothly when feed button is pressed?

• Do you see any torn paper, labels, or debris in the paper path?

• Does the lid resist closing (possible jam or damage)?

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How to clear the red error light on the receipt printer

1

Close the printer lid firmly

Open the printer lid fully.

Close it firmly until it latches on both sides.

If the lid won’t latch, go to Step 6.

2

Remove the paper roll

Open the lid and remove the paper roll.

3

Clear jams and debris

Look inside the paper path and remove any:

• Torn pieces of paper

• Labels or sticker backing

• Any debris or foreign objects

Use your fingers only. Don’t use tools or sharp objects.

If you see damage or can’t remove something, go to Step 6.

4

Reload paper and press Feed

Reload the paper roll.

Close the lid firmly until it latches.

Press Feed. Paper should feed smoothly.

If paper does not feed smoothly, repeat Step 3.

5

Reseat power and test

Unplug the register/POS and wait until the screen is fully off.

Unplug the round black printer power cable from the printer.

Wait 10 seconds.

Plug the printer power cable firmly back in on both ends.

Plug the register/POS power back in.

Wait for the register to fully load to the normal sales screen.

Print a test receipt. If the red error light is still on, go to Step 6.

6

Still showing a red error light?

• No on-site contract: Contact a VASC(Verifone Authorized Service Contractor)Technician for further on-site troubleshooting

• Valid on-site/contract: Contact the Verifone Helpdesk:

📞 Phone: [phone] (1-800-VERIFONE)

💬 Chat

Tell them exactly the troubleshooting steps performed, this saves your time and gets you the right support faster.

Need assistance? Contact Verifone Helpdesk at anytime.

• Use our Chat platform

• Or call 1.800.VERIFONE (837.4366)

Tell us the troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried. This saves time and gets you the right support faster.