A dependable ATM is not an accident. Uptime comes from a steady rhythm of checks you repeat every quarter. Think of it as a short pit stop that keeps transactions flowing, limits surprise service calls, and protects your brand in front of customers. If you want a one-page quarterly checklist and a parts bundle matched to your model, contact the ATMTrader team.
Why run a quarterly maintenance cycle at all?
Small issues hide in plain sight. Receipt printers drift, card readers get dirty, toppers dim, and firmware gets stale. A 90 day cadence catches problems before they become downtime, which protects revenue and keeps locations happy. If you want a simple schedule you can hand to your techs, call the ATMTrader team.
What should I bring to a quarterly visit?
Pack receipt paper, cleaning cards for EMV and mag stripe, lint-free wipes, compressed air, a keypad test card, a can of contact cleaner rated for electronics, a spare network cable, surge protector, and basic fasteners. Add any model-specific rollers or belts you plan to replace proactively. For a prebuilt service kit and model-matched spares, contact ATMTrader support.
How do I check the printer and receipts?
Inspect the cutter, platen, and feed path for paper dust. Run a self-test print, verify legibility, and confirm the store name, date, time, and surcharge appear correctly. Replace the paper roll before it runs low and keep a spare in the cabinet. If cuts are ragged or paper jams recur, swap the cutter or platen. For printer parts and paper by model, reach out to the ATMTrader team.
What should I do for the cash path and cassettes?
Review reject counts and mis-secure logs since your last visit. Open the transport path, vacuum dust with a low-static tool, and wipe sensors gently. Confirm cassette springs and doors move freely, then test a dummy load if available. If rejects creep up over time, replace note path rollers or belts as a set. For roller kits and cassette parts, contact ATMTrader support.
How do I keep the card reader healthy?
Use chip cleaning cards to scrub EMV contacts and swipe cleaning cards for the mag head if present. Inspect the bezel and anti-skimming features, confirm nothing is loose, and compare to your last photo. Check that the card reader housing screws are tight. If intermittent reads persist, consider a card reader replacement. For cleaning kits and EMV reader assemblies, call our team.
What ADA items deserve a quarterly check?
Plug in headphones to test speech prompts, confirm the audio jack is labeled, and verify tactile indicators on the keypad are intact. Check screen glare and brightness so text is easy to read in store lighting. Make sure approach space is clear and the machine is still within reach ranges after any store resets. For ADA decals, audio kits, and labels, contact ATMTrader.
What about power quality and protection?
Confirm a grounded outlet on a dedicated circuit, test with a polarity tester, and review the surge protector date code. If the site has frequent flickers, install a small UPS so the ATM shuts down cleanly during outages. Loose plugs cause intermittent reboots, so secure the cord path and outlet plate. For surge protectors and UPS options sized for ATMs, contact the ATMTrader team.
How do I verify connectivity is solid?
If the ATM rides the store network, plug in your laptop to confirm the jack is live and stable. If you use wireless, check signal strength at the cabinet, reposition the router higher if needed, and update firmware on the modem. Look for rising cancel rates at the fee screen that correlate with network pauses. For LTE routers, antennas, and failover kits, call ATMTrader.
What physical security checks should I do?
Confirm anchor bolts are tight, hinge pins are smooth, and all covers sit flush. Inspect the bezel for forced marks, look under trim for glue or foreign devices, and verify tamper seals align with your install photos. Adjust the privacy shield and lighting so users can enter a PIN without shoulder surfers. For tamper seals and replacement hardware, contact ATMTrader support.
Do I need to update software or firmware each quarter?
Check processor release notes, network bulletins, and your model’s latest firmware. Update when security, EMV parameters, or card tables change. After any update, run a full test withdrawal and confirm receipts. Keep a record of versions in your service log. If you want a model-specific update guide and the current files, contact the ATMTrader team.
What cleaning and cosmetic work makes a difference?
Wipe the cabinet, screen, keypad surround, and topper. Replace faded decals and price signage. Clean dust from fans and louvers to help cooling. A clean, bright machine signals trust and boosts usage. If you need topper bulbs or LED panels and fresh fee signage, reach out to ATMTrader.
How should I document the visit and track results?
Log date and time, parts replaced, firmware versions, reject counts, network metrics, and before-and-after photos. Note any merchant requests and next steps. Over time, this creates a pattern you can act on, like a printer that always jams at the same store or a network jack that needs a permanent fix. For a ready-to-use quarterly log template, contact the ATMTrader team.
What parts should I proactively replace rather than wait to fail?
Common candidates include note path rollers, receipt cutter blades, worn keypad overlays, topper bulbs, and surge protectors past their rated life. Proactive swaps during a planned visit cost less than an emergency dispatch. If you want a preventive parts list tailored to your fleet, call the ATMTrader team.
Make quarterly your easiest win
Quarterly visits keep small problems small. Run the checklist, replace predictable wear parts, and take a test withdrawal before you leave. Your machines look better, fail less, and make more. If you want the one-page checklist, printable signage, and a pre-filled cart with your model’s common parts, contact the ATMTrader team and we will set you up.
