Best practices for storage and maintenance
Your payment terminal handles sensitive card data every day, so a bit of regular care goes a long way. Follow the tips below to keep it charging properly, avoid accidentally triggering a tamper alert, and get the most out of it before it needs replacing.
Charging and battery care
Always use the original charging cable and power plug supplied with your terminal. Third-party chargers can damage the battery or the USB-C socket.
When plugging in or unplugging the charging cable, hold the end that connects to the terminal or the power plug. Avoid inserting or removing it at an angle, and don't bend or fold the cable.
Check the charging cable and the USB-C socket on the terminal for dust, food residue, or other foreign objects before plugging in.
If your terminal is used somewhere humid, dusty, or near food (e.g. a kitchen or bar), consider using a charging cradle or station instead of plugging in the cable directly.
We recommend recharging the terminal once the battery drops to around 15%.
Avoid touching the battery's contact points, as this can cause corrosion or a poor connection.
Keep it on and connected overnight
Terminals regularly check in with Adyen for configuration changes and software updates, and reboot once every 24 hours (by default at 6:00 AM) to install these and clear the cache. To make sure this happens smoothly:
Keep your terminal turned on and connected to the internet (Wi-Fi or 4G) overnight, or at least for a few hours before it reboots.
If a terminal hasn't been used for a while, plug it in and turn it on for a few hours before you need it again, so it can pick up any pending updates and recharge fully.
Storing a terminal for a longer period
If you have a spare terminal or need to put one into storage (e.g. during a seasonal closure), keep the following in mind:
Store it somewhere between -20°C and 60°C, with a relative humidity of 5% to 95%, non-condensing. Avoid direct sunlight, damp storage areas, or anywhere the temperature could spike (e.g. near an oven or in a car).
Don't store the terminal fully charged or fully empty. A battery charge level between 40% and 70% is best for long-term storage.
If a terminal is stored for more than a few weeks, check on it and recharge it at least every six months, and inspect the battery for any signs of swelling or leakage.
Cleaning your terminal
A quick daily wipe-down keeps your terminal hygienic, but cleaning it the wrong way can permanently disable it by triggering the built-in tamper alert. Follow these steps:
Turn the terminal off and disconnect it from power before cleaning.
Use a clean microfiber cloth, slightly dampened with water.
Add a few drops of a pH-neutral, non-scrubbing soap, or an alcohol-based cleaner (70-90% isopropyl alcohol), to the cloth. Never apply cleaning products directly to the terminal.
Gently wipe the display and keypad (if applicable), then go over it again with a clean, dry cloth.
Let the terminal dry completely before reconnecting it to power and turning it back on.
Avoid the following, as it can trigger the tamper alert and put the terminal permanently out of service:
Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, thinner, trichloroethylene, or ketone-based solvents. Always check the label of your cleaning product.
Vigorously scrubbing, shaking, or rubbing the terminal with a dry cloth (this can cause static discharge).
Pouring or spraying any liquid, sanitizer, or disinfectant directly onto the terminal.
Cleaning inside the card reader slot, as this can void the warranty.
Handle with care
Avoid dropping the terminal, exposing it to water, or leaving it somewhere it could be knocked over. Water damage is not covered under warranty.
If the terminal displays an error containing the word TAMPER or TAMPERED, this means a security breach was detected (this can also happen accidentally, e.g. from a cleaning product or a static shock). Stop using the terminal immediately and contact [email protected], as the terminal will need to be replaced.
Regularly check that your terminal's casing and charging port look intact, and that the tamper-evident seal (on a new or replacement terminal) hasn't been broken.
Notice something's not working as expected? Try the steps in Troubleshoot your terminal or check Understand terminal error codes. If that doesn't solve it, reach out to [email protected] with your terminal's serial number (on the back, next to S/N) and a photo or video of the issue.
