Whether you're using a computer or an iPad, your cash drawer arrives ready for you to use with few or no setup steps required. Before you begin, however, we recommend you set up your receipt printer to test your cash drawer after setup.

What you'll need

Connecting your cash drawer to your printer

If you plan to open your cash drawer manually, you don't need to connect it to your receipt printer. Simply place the cash drawer on your checkout counter, and keep its key in a secure place nearby.

The cash drawer cable that comes in your hardware shipment is sometimes labeled Cash drawer on one end and Printer on the other. This is to help you connect your cash drawer to your receipt printer correctly. If the ends are not labeled, the larger end of the cable connects to your cash drawer and the smaller end connects to your receipt printer.

1. Plug the cash drawer connector cable from the cash drawer into the receipt printer.
   

   

2. Turn the key to the unlock position.

While the cash drawer is unlocked, it will pop open automatically whenever you print a receipt if configured. See the below section for required steps.

Configuring your cash drawer to open automatically

• Configuring your cash drawer for computer

  1. In Retail POS, go to Settings > General Options.
  2. From the Cash Drawer (iPad and Lightspeed Hub only) dropdown, select one of the following options:
     • All Payment Types (default): all receipts printed will open the cash drawer 
     • Cash Only: the cash drawer will only open with a cash sale receipt is printed 
     • Never: the cash drawer will not open for any receipts printed
  3. Tap Save Changes.

• Configuring your cash drawer for iPad

  1. On your iPad, open the Retail POS app.
  2. Tap Manager > Settings > General Options.
  3. From the Cash Drawer (iPad only) drop-down, select one of the following options:
     • All Payment Types (default): all receipts printed will open the cash drawer 
     • Cash Only: the cash drawer will only open with a cash sale receipt is printed 
     • Never: the cash drawer will not open for any receipts printed
  4. Tap Save Changes.

Testing your cash drawer

You should perform three tests to confirm your cash drawer is functioning correctly.

Open drawer button

You must have permission to make register adjustments (opening counts, closing counts, deposits and withdrawals) to access the Open Drawer button.

1. Navigate to Sales > Close Register or Sales > Add Amount. You may need to open your register first if it is already closed.
2. Select Open Drawer.
   
   

Cash sales and non-cash sales

1. Navigate to Reports > Received.
2. From the payment types dropdown, select Cash or a non-cash payment type.
   
3. Select Search.
4. Under the SALE column, select a Sale number.
5. Select Print Receipt.
   

Repeat the above steps for both cash and non-cash payment types. Ensure the the cash drawer opens and/or remains closed according to your configured settings.