Terminal Verifone VX520 — one of the most popular solutions for cashless payments in stores, cafes, and service centers. Despite its compact size, the device supports internet connection not only via Ethernet or GPRS, but also via Wi-FiThis is especially convenient for mobile retail outlets, where cable installation is not possible and using a SIM card is expensive.
However, setting up Wi-Fi on VX520 Often raises questions: where to find network settings, how to enter the router password, what to do if the terminal doesn't detect the network or constantly drops the connection. In this article, we'll look at step-by-step connection algorithm, typical errors and how to fix them - from checking router compatibility to manually setting the IP address.
Important: If you're using a bank-rented terminal, some parameters (such as the list of approved networks) may be blocked. In this case, please contact your acquirer's support team.
1. Preparing to connect: What to check before setting up Wi-Fi
Before you begin setting up, make sure that your Verifone VX520 Does it support Wi-Fi at all? Not all device models are equipped with the appropriate module. You can check this in two ways:
- 🔍 External examination: There should be a Wi-Fi logo (wavy lines) on the back of the terminal next to the SIM card slot.
- 📋 Device menu: go to
Settings → Network settingsIf there is a point thereWi-Fi, the module is present.
Also check:
- 🔌 Terminal power supply: Connect it to a 220V power supply. The Wi-Fi module requires a stable power supply, and when running on battery power, the connection may be interrupted.
- 📶 Router signal: The terminal must be in a strong reception area. If the smartphone in the same location only has 1-2 bars of network coverage, VX520 may not connect.
- 🔒 Wi-Fi password: prepare connection data (network name
SSIDand password). If the network is hidden, you will need to enterSSIDmanually.
⚠️ Please note: Some acquiring banks block the ability to connect to open networks (without a password) or networks with a secure protocolWEPUse networks withWPA2-PSKorWPA3.
If your router is in the mode 802.11n (5 GHz), try switching it to 802.11b/g (2.4 GHz) - Verifone VX520 Works more stably with older standards.
2. Step-by-step instructions: how to connect the Verifone VX520 to Wi-Fi
Now let's move on to the actual setup. The entire process will take no more than 5 minutes if you follow the algorithm:
- Turn on the terminal and wait for the main screen to load. Press the green button
F1(orMenu, depending on the firmware). - Go to
Settings → Network settings → Wi-Fi. If the pointWi-FiNo, your device does not support wireless connection. - Select
Search for networksThe terminal will begin scanning for available access points. This may take up to 30 seconds. - Find your network in the list and click on it. If the network isn't listed, check to see if it's hidden.
SSIDin the router settings. - Enter your Wi-Fi password. Be careful: the keyboard is on VX520 case sensitive. To switch between letters and numbers, use the button
123/ABC. - Confirm the connection. The terminal will display "Attempting to connect" and after 10-20 seconds, it should display a message.
Connected(Connected).
If the connection was successful, check your internet connection:
- 🛒 Conduct a test transaction (for example, a refund of 1 ruble).
- 🔄 Restart your terminal and make sure Wi-Fi connects automatically.
The network is visible in the list of available ones|The password was entered correctly|The terminal is within the coverage area|The router does not block new devices-->
If an error occurs at any stage (for example, Connection failed), proceed to the next section - it discusses typical problems and their solutions.
3. Typical errors and their elimination
Even with the correct settings Verifone VX520 Your device may not connect to Wi-Fi. Here are the most common errors and how to fix them:
| Error | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
No networks found (No networks found) |
The Wi-Fi module is disabled or the router is not broadcasting the network. | Check if Wi-Fi is enabled on the terminal (Settings → Wi-Fi → On). Reboot the router. |
Authentication failed (Authentication error) |
Incorrect password or incompatible security type | Check the password. If the router uses WPA3, switch it to WPA2-PSK. |
Obtaining IP address... (Getting IP address) is stuck |
The router's DHCP server is not providing an address or the network is overloaded. | Configure a static IP for the terminal in the router menu or reboot it. |
| The connection drops after a few minutes. | Weak signal or terminal power saving mode | Move the terminal closer to the router or disable sleep mode in the settings (Settings → Power Saving). |
A critical feature of the Verifone VX520: the device does not support WPA3-encrypted networks or some 802.11ac (5 GHz) modes. If your router is new, force it to support 802.11n (2.4 GHz) mode.
If the terminal connects to Wi-Fi but transactions fail, check:
- 🌐 Proxy settings: Some banks require you to specify a proxy server in
Settings → Network Settings → Proxy. - 🔗 Router firewall: add the terminal to the exceptions or temporarily disable the firewall.
- ⏳ Time on the terminal: If the date is wrong, payments may be blocked. Synchronize the time in
Settings → Date/Time.
⚠️ Attention: if the terminal displays an error after connecting to Wi-Fi Host unavailableThe problem may be with the processing center. Contact your acquiring bank to check the terminal's status.
4. Setting up a static IP address (if DHCP does not work)
If the terminal cannot obtain an IP address automatically (error Obtaining IP address...), you'll have to configure a static address manually. To do this:
- Find out your network parameters:
- 📌
Router IP address(For example,192.168.1.1) - 📌
Subnet mask(usually255.255.255.0) - 📌
DNS server(can be used8.8.8.8from Google)
- 📌
This information can be found in the router settings or on a sticker on its back panel.
Settings → Network settings → Wi-Fi.Auto (DHCP) please indicate Manual input.IP address: 192.168.1.100 (for example)Mask: 255.255.255.0
Gateway: 192.168.1.1
DNS: 8.8.8.8
Make sure the selected IP address is not taken by another device on the network.
After rebooting, test the connection with a test transaction. If the terminal still doesn't connect, try a different IP address (e.g. 192.168.1.101).
5. How to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal for stable terminal operation
A weak signal is one of the main reasons for connection breaks Verifone VX520If the terminal is located far from the router or there are walls between them, try the following methods to boost the signal:
- 📡 Use a repeaterInstalling a Wi-Fi extender (repeater) between the router and the terminal can solve the problem. Just make sure to place it halfway between the devices.
- 🔄 Change Wi-Fi channel: In the router settings, select a channel with minimal congestion (for example, 1, 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz).
- 📶 Directional antenna: If the terminal is located in a fixed location (for example, at the checkout), replace the standard router antenna with a directional one.
- 🔌 Wired connection: if possible, use
Powerline adapters(Internet transmission via electrical wiring) instead of Wi-Fi.
Also check if other devices are interfering with the terminal's operation:
- 📱 Cell phones may cause interference at 2.4 GHz.
- 🔥 Microwave ovens When working, they jam the Wi-Fi signal.
- 💡 Smart lamps and cameras often overload the network.
If the problem persists, try temporarily disconnecting all other devices from Wi-Fi and checking the stability of the terminal's connection. If the signal improves, interference was the cause.
What should I do if the terminal connects, but transactions do not go through?
This could be due to blocked ports on your router or problems on the bank's end. Check:
1. Are ports 80, 443, 8080 (for most acquirers) open?
2. Is the antivirus software on the router blocking the connection to the processing center?
3. Is the terminal firmware up to date (outdated versions may not support new security protocols).
If everything is in order, contact your bank's support team—the terminal may need to be re-registered in the system.
6. Alternative ways to connect to the Internet
If your Wi-Fi setup fails or the signal is too weak, consider alternative connection options. Verifone VX520 to the Internet:
| Way | Pros | Cons | When to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet (cable) | Maximum stability, high speed | Cable routing and site assignment are required. | For stationary locations (shops, offices) |
| GPRS (SIM card) | Mobility, not dependent on Wi-Fi | Paid traffic, possible areas without coverage | For mobile trade, couriers |
| USB modem | More stable than Wi-Fi, mobility | You need to buy a modem; there may be problems with the drivers. | If the Wi-Fi is weak and you can't install a cable |
| Hotspot from a smartphone | Quick to set up, always at hand | The phone is draining, and there may be breaks. | Temporary solution (for example, at an exhibition) |
To connect via USB modem you will need:
- Buy a compatible modem (for example, Huawei E3372).
- Insert a SIM card with a tariff for M2M devices (special tariffs for terminals are cheaper than standard ones).
- Connect the modem to the terminal via an OTG adapter (if the connector is not suitable).
- In the terminal settings, select
USB modemas the main type of connection.
If you choose GPRS, make sure that:
- 📶 The SIM card supports 2G/3G (4G on VX520 (doesn't work).
- 💰 This tariff allows data transfer for M2M devices (regular mobile tariffs may block terminals).
- 📍 There is operator coverage within the terminal's operating area.
7. Firmware Update: Why It's Important for Wi-Fi
If your Verifone VX520 released before 2018, its firmware may not support modern Wi-Fi standards (for example, WPA3 or some modes 802.11n). Updating the firmware will help:
- 🔄 Fix connection errors to new routers.
- 🛡️ Improve security (eliminate vulnerabilities).
- 🚀 Improve connection stability.
There are two ways to update the firmware:
- Through the terminal menu (if you have internet access):
- Go to
Settings → Software Update. - Select
Checking for updates. - If an update is found, confirm its installation.
- Do not turn off the terminal during the process (it will take 5-10 minutes).
- Go to
- Via computer (if the Internet on the terminal does not work):
- Download the latest firmware from the website Verifone or your acquiring bank.
- Connect the terminal to the PC via USB cable.
- Use the program Verifone Terminal Manager to download the firmware.
⚠️ Caution: Incorrect firmware update may render the terminal inoperable. If you are unsure, contact your service center or acquiring bank.
After updating, reset your network settings (Settings → Network settings → Reset) and set up Wi-Fi again.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to connect Verifone VX520 to Wi-Fi without a password?
Technically yes, but most acquiring banks block connections to open networks for security reasons. If your network isn't password-protected, the terminal may fail to connect or display an error. Security mismatchWe recommend setting up at least basic security on your router. WPA2-PSK.
The terminal connects to Wi-Fi, but transactions aren't going through. What's wrong?
There may be several reasons:
- 🔌 Port blocking on the router (check if 80, 443, 8080 are open).
- ⏳ Unsynchronized time on the terminal (correct in
Settings → Date/Time). - 🏦 Problems with the acquirer (contact the bank).
- 🔄 Connection failure (reboot the terminal and router).
Also check if your bank requires you to specify a proxy server in the terminal settings.
How do I reset Wi-Fi settings on a Verifone VX520?
To reset network settings:
- Go to
Settings → Network settings. - Select
Network reset(orReset Network). - Confirm the action.
After the reset, all saved networks will be deleted and will need to be set up again.
Can the terminal be used with 5GHz Wi-Fi?
Verifone VX520 officially supports only networks 2.4 GHzSome firmware may work with 5 GHz, but connection stability is not guaranteed. If your router is broadcasting both frequencies, force it to be disabled. 5 GHz in its settings or create a separate network for 2.4 GHz.
What should I do if the terminal doesn't see my Wi-Fi network?
Try the following:
- 🔍 Make sure the network is not hidden (broadcast must be enabled in the router settings)
SSID). - 📶 Check that the router is working in mode
802.11b/g/n(and not only802.11nor802.11ac). - 🔄 Reboot your router and terminal.
- 📡 If the network is still not visible, try entering
SSIDmanually in the terminal's Wi-Fi settings.