The Complete Star Micronics Printer Setup Guide

Setting up your point-of-sale (POS) hardware should not feel like rocket science. Getting Star Micronics receipt printers to talk to your computer, iPad, or Android tablet depends entirely on the specific model you have on your counter.

This comprehensive guide breaks down the setup process for every major printer in the Star Micronics family using simple, easy to follow steps. 

1. The TSP100 Series: TSP143III & TSP143IV

These are the most common thermal receipt printers found in UK retail shops. The TSP143III is the model that started it all, while the TSP143IV is the updated, smaller version with modern USB-C ports.

Step-by-Step Setup

For LAN / Ethernet Models (Wired Network):

1. Plug in power: Attach the mains cable to the back of the printer and turn it on.

2. Connect to the internet router: Run a standard Ethernet cable from the back of the printer directly into a spare port on your internet router.

3. Print the configuration slip: Turn the printer off. Hold down the Feed button on the front, then flip the power switch back on while still holding Feed. Let go when it starts printing. It will spit out a couple of slips. Look at the bottom of the second slip for the IP Address (a series of numbers like 192.168.1.45).

4. Link to your POS: Open your till app on your tablet or computer, go to hardware settings, add a new printer, and type in that exact IP address.

For Bluetooth Models (TSP143III Bi):

1. Turn on Bluetooth: Go to the settings screen on your iPad or Android tablet and turn Bluetooth on.

2. Pair the printer: Find Star Micronics in the list of available devices and tap it to pair.

3. Select in app: Open your POS software and pick the printer from your hardware list.

For the Newer TSP143IV (USB-C / CloudPRNT):

1. Plug and play: Connect the printer to the mains. If you are using an Android tablet or Windows PC, you can plug the included USB-C cable directly from the printer into your device.

2. For iPads: Note that the TSP143IV does not support direct USB printing on iPads. You must connect it via an Ethernet cable to your router or use Star's optional MCW10 Wi-Fi accessory.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

• My TSP143IV isn't printing from my iPad via USB. Why? The TSP143IV requires a network connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to talk to iOS devices. Swap to an Ethernet cable plugged into your router instead.

• The red error light is blinking constantly. What is wrong? It is either out of paper or the lid isn't shut tightly. Open the cover, make sure the paper roll is dropped in so the paper feeds from the bottom of the roll, and slam the lid shut until it clicks.

2. The Compact Range: mC-Print2 & mC-Print3

These are stylish, front-loading square printers. The mC-Print2 is a smaller unit that uses narrower 58mm paper rolls, while the mC-Print3 uses standard 80mm wide paper. Their setups are identical.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Load the paper: Pull the front lever to pop the front door open. Drop the paper roll in so it unrolls from the bottom. Pull a tiny bit out and click the door shut.

2. Choose your connection:

   • Lightning USB (for iPads): Plug your official Apple charging cable into the USB port labelled 'iPad' on the back of the printer, and the other end into your iPad. This sends data and charges the iPad at the same time.

   • Bluetooth: Turn the printer on. Go to your tablet’s Bluetooth settings, find mC-Print2 or mC-Print3, and tap connect.

   • LAN: Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your printer and the other into your router. Plug the power lead into the back of the printer and switch the printer on with the power switch. Wait for the green light (about 30-60 seconds). Get the configuration slip by following these steps:
     

     • Open the front paper door.

     • Turn the printer back ON.

     • Press and hold the Feed button on the front panel.

     • While holding Feed, close the front paper door.

     • Keep holding the Feed button until the printer starts whirring. It will print a slip showing the network settings. You will then have an IP address and will be able to link it to your POS app. 

1. Get the Star app: Search your device's app store for the Star Quick Setup Utility. Use this to run a test print and confirm the connection works.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

• Why isn't my tablet recognising the mC-Print printer? If using a cable, make sure it is plugged into the correct USB port on the back. One port is for a barcode scanner, and another is specifically for the tablet. Look for the little iPad icon next to the port.

• How do I reset the network settings on these models? Turn the printer off. Look at the back next to the power switch for a tiny pinhole. Push a paperclip into it, hold it down, and switch the printer on. Hold for 5 seconds, then let go.

3. The Kitchen & Specialty Range: SP700, TSP700 (TSP743II), & TSP800 (TSP847II)

• SP700: This is an impact dot-matrix printer (it uses ink ribbons and makes a loud ticking noise). It is used in hot kitchens because thermal paper turns completely black near ovens.

• TSP700 / TSP800: High-speed thermal printers used for thick tickets, labels, or wide delivery notes (the TSP800 prints extra-wide receipts).

Step-by-Step Setup

Setting up the SP700 Kitchen Printer:

1. Install the ink ribbon: Open the front cover of the printer. Take your ink ribbon cassette, turn the little plastic knob clockwise to tighten the ribbon, and snap the cassette down over the print mechanism until it clicks. Close the front cover.

Top Tip: We often see ribbons being inserted incorrectly. The above image shows a common mistake made when inserting the ribbon, which results in faded receipts. To avoid this, the cartridge ribbon (red arrows) needs to be in front of the printhead (outlined green). 
 

1. Load the paper: Push the release lever on the right side to open the top lid. Drop the kitchen paper in (usually two-ply paper where one copy goes to the chef and one stays in the machine). Make sure the paper feeds from the bottom of the roll.

Shop Kitchen Paper Here. 

1. Connect to the network: Kitchen printers are almost always connected via an Ethernet cable because routers are far away from the kitchen line. Plug the cable from the printer into a network wall socket or your main router.

Setting up the TSP700 / TSP800:

1. Load paper/labels: Open the top lid using the side lever. Drop your wide paper roll or label roll inside, pulling the edge out of the front slots before closing the lid.

2. Connect to PC or Tablet: These are usually ordered with either a traditional USB connection for Windows desktop computers or a Bluetooth module for tablets. Plug in the respective cable or pair via your device's Bluetooth menu.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

• My SP700 kitchen printer is printing, but there is no text on the page! The ink ribbon is either dried out, installed backwards, or has slipped out of place. Open the front door, remove the ribbon, turn the knob to tighten it, and snap it back in carefully. See our top tip above. 

• The paper is jamming in my TSP800. How do I clear it? Turn the power off immediately. Open the lid and check the plastic guides inside. The TSP800 has adjustable paper guides to accommodate different widths; if these are pushed too tightly against the roll, the paper cannot feed.

4. The All-in-One: Star mPOP

The mPOP is a combined Bluetooth receipt printer and automatic cash drawer all built into one unit. It is highly popular with mobile businesses, pop-up shops, and boutiques.

Step-by-Step Setup

1. Unbox and power up: Turn the mPOP upside down to find the cable tracks underneath. Plug the power cable into the base, run it through the plastic tracks so it sits flat, and plug it into the wall. Turn the power switch on the side to ON.

2. Load the paper: Push the front face of the printer panel. It will click and slide forward like a drawer. Pull the little blue lever on the inside to open the paper lid. Drop in a 58mm paper roll, close the inner lid, and push the printer unit back inside until it clicks shut.

3. Pair with your iPad or Android: Go to your tablet’s Bluetooth settings. Look for STAR mPOP and select it to pair.

4. Lock the connection: Download the Star Quick Setup Utility app. Inside the app, go to Bluetooth settings and turn Auto Connection to ON. This ensures that if you walk away with your tablet, it will automatically reconnect to the cash drawer when you walk back.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting

• The cash drawer won't open when I finalise a sale. What's wrong? First, make sure the mPOP isn't physically locked with the key underneath. Second, check your POS app settings—most apps have a toggle switch that says "Open Cash Drawer on Receipt Print" that needs to be turned on.

• The red and blue lights are blinking together. What does that mean? This means the printer drawer is pushed out or the inner paper lid is open. Push everything back into place firmly.

Know-How Tips for Every Star Printer

The Golden Rule of Thermal Paper: If you ever print a receipt and it comes out completely blank, the paper roll is in upside down. Thermal paper only has the heat-sensitive chemical coating on the outer side. Flip the roll around so the paper unrolls from the bottom of the roll.

Keep a Paperclip Handy: If your network printer suddenly stops working after a power cut or a change in your internet provider, it has likely grabbed a new IP address. Always run a "Self-Test" (holding the Feed button while turning it on) to see what the printer's current number is, then update your POS app to match.

Purchased a printer from us and need more support? Get in touch.