How to Clean a Card Reader

A card reader is an essential device used in various industries, including retail, banking, and hospitality. Over time, dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on the card reader’s surface and affect its performance. Regular cleaning is crucial to ensure smooth card insertion and prevent reading errors. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of effectively cleaning a card reader using a cleaning card and cleaning wipe.

Gathering the Essential Supplies

Before you begin cleaning your card reader, gather the necessary supplies:

1. Cleaning Card: A cleaning card is a specially designed card with a cleaning agent that helps remove dirt and debris from the card reader’s magnetic head and sensors.

Card Reader CR80 Full Flocked Cleaning Card

1. Cleaning Wipe: A lint-free, non-abrasive cleaning wipe is ideal for wiping down the exterior of the card reader and removing fingerprints or smudges.

Card Reader Cleaning Wipe

Preparing the Card Reader for Cleaning

To ensure safety and prevent damage to the card reader, follow these steps:

1. Power Off: Turn off the card reader and unplug it from the power source.
2. Eject Any Cards: Remove any cards from the card reader’s slot before cleaning.

Cleaning the Card Reader’s Interior

Follow these steps to clean the card reader’s interior components:

1. Insert the Cleaning Card: Insert the cleaning card into the card reader’s slot as you would with a regular card. Ensure it goes in smoothly and engages with the magnetic head and sensors.
2. Run the Cleaning Cycle: Depending on the card reader model, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to initiate the cleaning cycle. This process typically involves running the card through the reader multiple times.
3. Remove the Cleaning Card: Once the cleaning cycle is complete, carefully remove the cleaning card from the reader.

Cleaning the Card Reader’s Exterior

To clean the card reader’s exterior surface, follow these steps:

1. Dampen the Cleaning Wipe: Moisten the cleaning wipe slightly with water or a mild cleaning solution. Avoid excessive moisture to prevent liquid damage.
2. Wipe the Exterior: Gently wipe the outer surface of the card reader, including the keypad, display, and any other accessible areas. Pay attention to removing fingerprints, smudges, or dirt buildup.
3. Dry the Card Reader: Use a dry, lint-free cloth to wipe away any moisture residue left on the card reader’s surface.

Final Steps

After cleaning your card reader, complete the process with these final steps:

1. Let It Dry: Allow the card reader to air dry completely before reconnecting it to the power source or using it again.
2. Perform Functionality Test: Once the card reader is dry, plug it back in, power it on, and perform a test transaction to ensure proper functionality.

Regularly cleaning your card reader is vital to maintain its performance and prolong its lifespan. By following the steps outlined in this guide, using a cleaning card and cleaning wipe, you can effectively remove dirt, debris, and smudges from both the interior and exterior of your card reader. MediTech is a manufacturer that has focused on the production of cleaning supplies for more than 10 years. We provide a variety of card reader cleaning supplies, if you are interested, please contact us.