Troubleshoot RFID reader functionality
PURPOSE
Troubleshoot the Kiosk RFID reader that is not properly reading customer tags or reading into the wrong lane.
PROCESS
Try This First
- Simple and Quick
- Unplug the cable ends and plug them back in firmly.
- Reboot the kiosk
- Advanced - NOTE: May need maintenance to help with these items.
- Focus on Power
- Test Voltage
- Looking for correct polarization of 12V DC at power source and in RFID housing.
- Verify power supply can supply at least 1.5A but 2A is preferred.
- Try testing with alternative power supplies or outlets
- Bypass the barrel connecter.
- Re-Crimp the ends of the cable, and focus on ensuring good wire connections.
- Using known working equipment
- Identify working ports or components in the lane or adjacent lanes
- Test to rule out one component at a time.
- Replace DB9 Adaptors or cables first.
- Don’t be afraid to use nearby kiosks for power or to verify if a reader works despite the power.
- This includes using known working readers from adjacent lanes.
Common Issues
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Symptom: “Timed Out” error when trying to connect to the RFID Reader.
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Underlying Issue: Computer cannot communicate with the RFID Reader. or Can be a power or connection issue.
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Parts Involved: COM Port, DB9 Adapters, Cat5e cable, Serial cable, or RFID Reader
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Symptom: “Arithmetic Operation Error” when trying to connect to the RFID Reader.
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Underlying Issue: Incompatible power making it to the RFID Reader.
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Parts Involved: Power supply, Power wires, or RFID Reader
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Symptom: “Command Execution Failed: Command Type = 00, Command 00”
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Underlying Issue: Poor connection for the data to transmit properly, has power but bad data connection.
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Parts Involved: COM Port, DB9 Adapters, Cat5e Cable, Serial Cable, or RFID Reader
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Symptom: Membership Tags not reading consistently.
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Underlying Issue: See Below For Steps to Take
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Parts Involved: RFID Reader, RFID Reader Setting, or RFID Tag
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Symptom: Random Lane opening with no car around.
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Underlying Issue: Rogue tag with an active membership within range of the RFID reader.
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Parts Involved: RFID Tag
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Symptom: Cross Reading car in adjacent lane.
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Underlying Issue: RFID Reader Setting is less than 80 or Could also be the location and angle of the RFID Reader.
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Parts Involved: RFID Reader Setting or RFID Reader Position and Posture
Troubleshooting Membership Tags Not Reading Consistently
- Verify the hardware functions within the normal standard.
- Verify the RFID Reader talks to the computer.
- Verify Logicwash can talk to the RFID Reader.
- Compare to the standards for settings.
- Be aware of other RFID tags, as they can interfere with the reader.
- Inspect the RFID tag and RFID tag position on the car.
- Place the RFID tag on the upper clear part of the windshield as a final spot for verifying.
Check the RFID Reader's Functionality - Backend Screen
- Swipe your access card to get to the kiosk’s back-end screen.
- Once the back-end screen appears, select “RFID Status”
- Give it a moment to load and the RFID Status interface will appear. (Shown Below) then push “Start”. Bring the RFID tag within scanning range of the RFID reader.
- If you do not see any activity on the status screen, the RFID reader is not operating correctly.
- Proceed to the “Check RFID Reader Cables” section below.
- If tag data appears on the status screen the RFID reader is operating correctly. This indicates there may be a problem with the customer’s membership.
- Look up the customer in Wash Assist by name, phone number, or other means to determine why the barcode is not admitting the customer to the wash.
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NOTE: Do NOT select any of the power settings on the right-hand side of the RFID Status interface.
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NOTE: To Adjust the power settings use the Guide: RFID - HOW TO USE SOFTWARE
Check the RFID Reader's Functionality - Desktop
- To open the service code, double tap the right and left corners of the screen.
- Enter the admin code and click Accept to close the program.
- Double-click the AWIDMPRCommandDemo – Shortcut on the Desktop.
- Fill in the following sections and click Connect. If an error message appears when trying to connect, follow the steps in the RFID Tags Not Populating section.
- Type: MPR-2010BR
- COM Port: COM4
- Baud Rate: 9600
- Information will populate. Click Start to start testing the reader.
- Wave a RFID tag near the RFID reader. It should populate the RFID tag and the Cnt column should increase. Once testing has finished, click Stop.
- Close the program and open LWKiosk – Shortcut on the Desktop to start the program normally and allow the kiosk to be used again.
Check RFID Reader Cables
- If the RFID reader is having connection issues, an error message will pop-up when trying to connect to the reader.
- Open the kiosk and the RFID Reader enclosure on the pole to check the DB9 connections.
- Disconnect and re-connect the connection on the computer.
- Unlock the RFID Reader Enclosure. Reseat the connection.
- Test the RFID Reader again and see if there is any change.
- If there is no change, swap the DB9 connections with another kiosk to see if the connectors are bad.
- If the connectors from the other kiosk work, the connectors need to be replaced
- If you still have issues, swap the RFID reader with a known working unit.
- If you still have issues, contact Maintenance to check the network cable from the reader to the computer inside the kiosk.
- If you still have issues after Maintenance has checked the network cable and verified it is good or has replaced the cable.
HISTORY
Revised Date
Revised By
Revisions
8/7/2024
Orrey Bohn
Created Document
3/14/2025
Andrew Poskey
Updated title and content formatting