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, 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. Place the cash drawer on your checkout counter and keep the key in a secure place nearby.

The cash drawer cable that comes in your hardware shipment may be labeled Cash drawer on one end and Printer on the other. 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 automatically open depending on your configured settings.

Configuring your cash drawer to open automatically

• Configuring your cash drawer for desktop

  1. In Retail POS, navigate 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 if a cash sale receipt is printed.
     • Never: The cash drawer will not open for any receipts printed.

     

  3. Click Save Changes.

     

• Configuring your cash drawer for iPad

  1. On your iPad, open the Retail POS app.
  2. Tap Manager > Settings.

     

  3. Tap General Options.

     

  4. 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 if a cash sale receipt is printed.
     • Never: The cash drawer will not open for any receipts printed.

     

  5. Tap Save Changes.

     

Testing your cash drawer

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

Manually opening the cash drawer

You can manually open the cash drawer while opening or closing a register or processing a register withdrawal.

You must have certain permissions enabled to make register adjustments (Sales - Open Register, Sales - Close Register, and Sales - Register Withdraw) to access the Open Drawer button.

1. Navigate to Sales.
2. Choose a register to open, or click Close Register or Add Amount.
3. Click Open Drawer.

   

Your cash drawer should open.

Opening the drawer when printing sales receipts

Depending on your cash drawer settings, your drawer may open any time a receipt is printed, or only when a cash sale receipt is printed. You can test if the drawer opens according to your chosen settings. To do this:

1. Navigate to Reports > Payments Received.

   

2. In the All Types dropdown, select a payment type.

   

3. Click Search.
4. In the SALE column, click a sale number.

   

5. Click Print Receipt.

   

Your cash drawer should open.

Make sure to test this process for cash receipts as well as a non-cash payment receipt to ensure that the cash drawer opens and/or remains closed according to your configured settings.

If you experience issues with your cash drawer, refer to our troubleshooting article.

What's next?