The Ingenico Link/2500 is the portable card reader for events, pop-ups and offsite sales. Unlike the Lane/3000 (which plugs into Ethernet), the Link/2500 connects to the internet over Wi-Fi — and you set that up on the reader itself.

Follow these steps in order. Step 3 is an easy one to miss — without it, the reader can keep showing "Disconnected" even when its Wi-Fi is working fine.

1. Charge the reader

• Use a wall USB adapter (5V/1A or higher). A laptop USB port, hub or docking station will not charge it — on a laptop port a reader can look completely dead.
• If the battery is flat, leave it charging 20–30 minutes before expecting any response.
• To power on, hold the green ◯ (enter) key for about 5 seconds.

If it won't turn on, the issue is charge time, not how long you hold the key. If it stays completely dark on a known-good wall charger after 30 minutes, contact support.

2. Connect the reader to Wi-Fi

The reader won't prompt you for network details — you need to enter its settings menu.

1. From the Welcome screen, press 0 0 0 1
2. Use F2 / F3 to scroll to Wifi Parameters, then press the green ◯ key
3. Scroll to Scan Networks and press green ◯
4. Use F2 / F3 to find your network, then press green ◯
5. Enter your Wi-Fi password — it is case-sensitive
6. You should see New Profile OK, and a green Wi-Fi symbol in the top-left corner

If this reader has been used at another location before, check My Networks in the same menu — it may still be trying to join an old network. Delete All clears saved networks.

3. Reboot the reader — don't skip this step

After connecting to Wi-Fi, the reader will usually still say "Disconnected". This is normal. A regular restart will not clear it.

Unplug the reader from power, then press and hold the yellow key and the .,#* key together for a few seconds.

The reader will reboot and connect. This step is what actually brings it online.

4. Wait for the update

The reader will show Updating device: X%. This takes about ten minutes. Leave it alone — don't restart it while it's updating.

5. Read the registration code

When the update finishes, the reader displays three lines:

• its serial number
• Unregistered
• Code: followed by a six-letter code

That six-letter code is what you need for the next step. If it doesn't appear, unplug from power and hold yellow + .,#* again to bring it back — the code can be regenerated as often as you need.

6. Register the reader in Admin

1. Go to Settings → Point of Sale → Terminals
2. Click + to create a new terminal and give it a name
3. Enter the six-letter code in the Card Reader Registration Code field
4. Click Save Terminal

⚠️ Important: create a NEW terminal for a portable reader.
Do not add the code to a terminal that already has a card reader attached — doing so will disconnect that reader, and that register will stop taking card payments.
How to tell: on the Terminals list, a card icon appears beside any terminal that already has a reader. Use a terminal with no card icon, or create a new one.

7. Confirm it worked

The reader immediately changes from "Unregistered" to showing your terminal's name. That's your confirmation — it's ready to take payments.

To disconnect a reader later, click the card icon beside its terminal and choose Disconnect Card Reader.

Troubleshooting

It's on Wi-Fi but still says "Disconnected", and never shows a code
Try step 3 first: unplug it from power and hold yellow + .,#*. A normal restart won't do it — and on its own this doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your network.

The reader won't turn on at all
Charge it on a wall adapter — not a laptop, hub or dock — for at least 30 minutes, then hold the green ◯ key for 5 seconds. If it stays dark, contact support.

Support needs to identify my reader — which number do I send?
The stickers on the back show several numbers. Send us the IPSN and the MAC. The part number beginning PMF is the same on every Link/2500 and won't identify your unit. The reader also displays its IPSN on screen.

Need more help? Send us an email at support@getprado.com and we'll be happy to assist you!