Connecting Cash Drawer to Your Thermal Receipt Printer

This guide explains how to connect a cash drawer to your thermal receipt printer for automated opening when printing receipts. The specific steps may vary slightly depending on your printer model and operating system, but the general principles remain the same. No settings need to be adjusted within the Quick Receipt software itself; the configuration is handled entirely through your printer’s settings. This guide assumes your receipt printer supports cash drawer functionality. Check your printer’s manual to confirm this capability.

Prerequisites:
A thermal receipt printer with cash drawer support.
A cash drawer compatible with your printer (usually using an RJ11 or RJ12 cable).
An RJ11/RJ12 cable to connect the printer and cash drawer.

Step 1: Connect the Cash Drawer
Locate the cash drawer port: This is typically a dedicated port on the back of your receipt printer. It’s usually clearly labeled.
Connect the cable: Plug one end of the RJ11/RJ12 cable into the cash drawer port on your printer and the other end into the cash drawer.

Step 2: Enable Cash Drawer Functionality in Printer Preferences
The method for enabling cash drawer functionality varies depending on your printer model and operating system. The following steps are general guidelines. Consult your printer’s manual for precise instructions.

1. Access Printer Settings: In most operating systems, you can access printer settings through the system’s control panel or settings. Common locations include:
   Windows: Settings > Devices > Printers & Scanners.
   macOS: System Preferences > Printers & Scanners.
2. Select Your Printer: Choose the thermal receipt printer you’re using from the list of installed printers.
3. Open Printer Properties/Preferences: Look for an option to open the printer’s properties or preferences. This is often a button labeled “Properties,” “Preferences,” or “Manage.”
4. Locate Cash Drawer Settings: Within the printer preferences, navigate to the section related to peripherals, device settings, or similar. Look for options related to “Cash Drawer,” “Peripheral Devices,” or similar terminology.




5. Enable Cash Drawer: Select “Cash Drawer” as the peripheral device. You might need to specify a trigger, such as “Document Top” or “Receipt Print Completion.” This setting determines when the cash drawer opens (usually when the receipt printing is finished).
6. Save Changes: Save the changes you’ve made to the printer preferences.

Step 3: Test the Connection
Print a test receipt to verify that the cash drawer opens automatically when the receipt is printed.

Troubleshooting:
Cash drawer doesn’t open: Double-check all connections, ensure the cash drawer is properly powered, and verify that the cash drawer functionality is correctly enabled in the printer preferences. Consult your printer’s manual for specific troubleshooting steps.
Incorrect cable: Use the correct RJ11/RJ12 cable. Using the wrong type of cable can prevent the connection from working.

Important Note:
If your printer does not have a cash drawer port or does not support cash drawer functionality, this guide will not work. You may need to consider a different printer or alternative methods for opening the cash drawer. Always refer to your printer’s manual for detailed instructions and troubleshooting information.