The boxes are on the counter. Terminal, printer, scanner, cash drawer, maybe a card reader from your processor. The store opens soon, possibly tomorrow morning, and you're staring at a tangle of cables wondering which one goes where.
A POS hardware setup goes smoothly when you follow a set order: check the contents, position the terminal, connect the receipt printer, connect the cash drawer to the printer, connect the scanner, connect the card reader, power everything on network first and terminal last, then pair the devices in your POS software and run a full test sale. Most problems come from skipping a step or doing them out of order.
Key takeaways
- Unpack and check every component against the packing list before you plug anything in.
- The cash drawer connects to the receipt printer with an RJ12 cable, not to the terminal, and opens when the printer signals it.
- Power on in order: network equipment, then printer, then card reader, then terminal.
- Run one complete test sale that uses every device (scan, card, cash, receipt, drawer) before your first customer.
- Most setup problems are a loose cable, a wrong cable type, an uncharged scanner or a device on the wrong network.
What comes in a POS hardware kit?
Lay everything out on a clean surface and check it against the packing list. A typical counter kit includes:
- A POS terminal (all-in-one touchscreen) or a tablet with a stand.
- A thermal receipt printer with its power adapter.
- A cash drawer with an RJ12 cable.
- A barcode scanner (handheld or countertop).
- Power and data cables (USB or Ethernet, depending on the devices).
- Quick start guides.
Your card reader usually comes separately from your payment processor.
The complete kits on hardware.shelfperks.com, for example, combine a touchscreen terminal, 2D barcode scanner, cash drawer, 80 mm receipt printer and keyboard; the POS Essential kit is listed at $729.99 and the POS Complete kit at $1,399.99 (October 2026 prices).
Step 1: Inspect everything and read the quick starts
Look for shipping damage and check that the power adapters suit your outlets. Have a few rolls of receipt paper ready. If anything is missing or damaged, contact the seller before you start installing, because it is easier to sort out before the counter is half assembled.
Skim each device's quick start guide. It covers model-specific details, such as which port is which, that this general guide can't.
How should you position POS hardware on the counter?
Step 2: Position the terminal
The terminal is the center of the setup, and everything else connects to it or around it. Choose a spot with:
- Clear sight lines. The screen faces your cashier, and any customer-facing display faces the customer.
- Power and network nearby. You'll run power, USB or Ethernet cables from this spot. Use a cable pass-through or an under-counter tray if you have one.
- Comfortable height. Staff should be able to read the screen without hunching.
- Security. Place it where it can't easily be grabbed across the counter. Use a lock slot if the stand has one.
How do you connect a receipt printer?
Step 3: Connect the printer
Receipt printers connect in one of three ways. Use the one your printer and terminal support.
| Connection | How to connect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| USB | Cable from printer to terminal | One printer, one terminal |
| Ethernet | Cable from printer to your router or network switch | Fixed counters, shared printers |
| Bluetooth or Wi-Fi | Put the printer in pairing mode or join it to your network | Tablet setups |
Plug in the power adapter and switch the printer on. Load the paper roll following the diagram inside the printer cover, close the cover and tear off the excess.
If you run ShelfPerks, check printer support first: ShelfPerks documents the Epson TM-T88 (Merchant Portal and app) and the Epson TM-P20 (app).
Step 4: Connect the cash drawer to the printer
The cash drawer connects to the receipt printer, not the terminal. When a cash sale completes, the printer sends the signal that pops the drawer open.
- Plug the RJ12 cable from the drawer into the printer's drawer port (often labeled "DK").
- Position the drawer under or beside the printer and terminal.
- Test it by hand with the key: unlock it and check that it slides open smoothly.
Use the cable that came with the drawer. An RJ12 cable looks like a phone cord, and an ordinary phone cord will not work. ShelfPerks documents this printer-to-drawer setup with the Epson TM-T88.
How do you set up a barcode scanner?
Step 5: Connect the scanner
ShelfPerks works with USB or Bluetooth barcode scanners.
USB scanners: Plug the cable into a free USB port on the terminal. Most scanners act like a keyboard, so they usually work straight away with no driver.
Bluetooth scanners: Charge the scanner fully first. Put it in pairing mode (the manual shows how, often by scanning a pairing barcode or holding a button), open Bluetooth settings on your terminal or tablet and select the scanner. It will usually beep to confirm.
Test it: Open any text field and scan a product barcode. The number should appear instantly. If nothing happens, check the charge, the pairing and the distance, and look in the manual for a barcode that resets the scanner to keyboard mode.
How do you connect the card reader and network?
Step 6: Connect the card reader
Card readers come from, or are approved by, your payment processor, so follow your processor's setup steps. Countertop readers usually connect by Ethernet or Wi-Fi; handheld readers by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Put the reader where customers can reach it easily but can't walk off with it.
ShelfPerks supports Stripe, Fiserv, Helcim and Stax, and Tap to Pay on iPhone works through the ShelfPerks iPhone app with some processors. See the payments page for details.
Step 7: Set up the network
Use wired Ethernet for fixed terminals and printers where you can, since it is more consistent than Wi-Fi. If you use Wi-Fi, place the router centrally and away from things that cause interference. Keep checkout devices off your customer guest network. If you have more devices than router ports, add a network switch in a ventilated, secure spot.
Step 8: Power on in the right order
Turn things on in this order, waiting until each device has fully started before the next:
- Router and switch.
- Receipt printer.
- Card reader.
- Terminal or tablet.
Starting the terminal before the network and printer are ready is a common cause of "printer not found" errors.
How do you connect POS hardware to ShelfPerks?
Step 9: Sign in and pair your devices
Install the free ShelfPerks app on your tablet or phone, or open the Merchant Portal in a supported browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari) on your terminal or computer. Set up your store details, products and taxes; if you're moving from another system, ShelfPerks supports easy migration of inventory, pricing and product data through simple file formats.
Then connect the hardware:
- Printer: Add your printer in the hardware settings and print a test receipt.
- Cash drawer: Run a test cash sale and check the drawer opens. If not, check the RJ12 cable at both ends.
- Scanner: Scan an item on the sales screen and check the right product appears.
- Card reader: Connect your payment processor and pair the reader following the in-app steps.
Setup guides and support are available at support.shelfperks.com.
Step 10: Run a complete test sale
Run one sale that uses every device:
- Scan an item and confirm the right product and price appear.
- Add a second item and confirm the total updates.
- Take a card payment with tap or chip (a small real purchase you refund afterwards works well).
- Print the receipt and check the items, totals and store details.
- Ring up a cash sale and confirm the drawer opens.
- Open your reports and confirm both sales appear.
If one step fails, fix that device before moving on.
How do you fix common POS setup problems?
| Problem | What to check |
|---|---|
| Printer not detected | Power and cable; that printer and terminal are on the same network; print the printer's self-test or configuration page; restart printer, then terminal |
| Scanner not working | Charge level; pairing; distance; that the scanner is in keyboard (HID) mode |
| Cash drawer won't open | RJ12 cable seated firmly at the drawer and printer; that it is an RJ12 cable, not a phone cord; that the drawer isn't key-locked |
| Card reader connection error | The reader's network connection; your processor's setup steps and any required firmware update |
| Terminal running slowly | Internet speed; unneeded apps; airflow around the terminal |
If your internet drops during business hours, ShelfPerks keeps Point of Sale, Receive and Batch Scan running offline in the app for up to 24 hours, then syncs (offline POS is listed on Plus and above).
What should you do after setup?
Once your test sale works, train every staff member on the full checkout, including a cash sale, a card sale and a return. Write down your printer and scanner model numbers and keep the quick start guides near the counter.
Still choosing equipment? Read how to choose POS hardware. To see everything the system runs beyond checkout, visit the Store Operating System page. If you sell by weight, ShelfPerks integrates with scales, including Datalogic scale scanners and the Star Bluetooth scale. Browse terminals, printers, scanners and drawers at hardware.shelfperks.com, and when you're ready, try ShelfPerks with a 14-day free trial of Premium features, no credit card required, at grow.shelfperks.com.
Frequently asked questions
Does a cash drawer plug into the terminal or the printer?
In most setups the cash drawer plugs into the receipt printer with an RJ12 cable. When a cash sale completes, the printer signals the drawer to open.
In what order should I turn on POS hardware?
Turn on the router and network switch first, then the receipt printer, then the card reader and finally the terminal or tablet. Let each device finish starting before you turn on the next.
Why is my barcode scanner not working?
Check that it is charged, paired or plugged in, and close enough to the terminal. Most scanners work as a keyboard; if yours doesn't, scan the keyboard (HID) mode barcode in its manual.
How do I test my POS system before opening?
Run one complete sale that scans items, takes a card payment, prints a receipt and opens the cash drawer on a cash sale. Then check that the sales appear in your reports.
