How to Open a Cash Drawer from the Windows Command Prompt

Introduction

This article provides instructions for opening a printer-driven cash drawer by sending a command directly to a Star printer from the Windows Command Prompt. These steps can be used to test communication between the printer and cash drawer independently of the point-of-sale (POS) software.

Supported Cash Drawers: CD3, CD4, CD5, SMD2
Supported Printers: SP700, TSP100, TSP100ECO, TSP100III, TSP650II, TSP700II, TSP800II
Supported Interfaces: USB, Serial, Parallel
Supported Environments: Windows 11, Windows 10

Before you begin

Before proceeding:

• Ensure the Star printer is powered on and properly connected to the Windows computer.
• Connect the cash drawer cable to the DK (peripheral) port on the back of the printer.
• Ensure the cash drawer is unlocked and able to open.
• Identify the printer’s connection type and assigned port (COM for Serial/USB Virtual Serial Port or LPT for Parallel).

For USB connections, a supported Star Virtual Serial Port must be configured before the command can be sent to the printer.

USB Connections (TSP100 Series Only)

USB printers cannot receive the cash drawer command directly through a USB port from Command Prompt. For supported TSP100 Series printers, a Virtual Serial Port can be created using the TSP100 Configuration Utility. This allows the USB-connected printer to receive the cash drawer command through an assigned COM port.

To create a Virtual Serial Port for TSP100 Series printers, follow the instructions in this article: How to Assign a Virtual Port to a TSP100 Series Printer

1. Ensure the printer is connected to the computer and the cash drawer is connected to the printer’s DK (peripheral) port.

2. Open the Windows Start menu and type “Command Prompt“.  Right-click Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator.

3. Send the cash drawer command to the virtual COM port where # represents the COM port assigned to the printer.

echo ^G > COM#

• • To enter the ^G control character, hold Ctrl and press G. It will appear as ^G in Command Prompt.
  • # represents the COM port number assigned to the printer. For example, use COM1 if the printer is assigned to COM1.

4. Confirm that the cash drawer opens. If the cash drawer does not open, verify that the correct virtual COM port is being used and ensure the printer and cash drawer cables are securely connected.

Serial Connections

1. Ensure the printer is connected to the computer and the cash drawer is connected to the printer’s DK (peripheral) port.

2. Open the Windows Start menu and type “Command Prompt“.  Right-click Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator.

3. Send the cash drawer command to the COM port assigned to the printer:

echo ^G > COM#

• • To enter the ^G control character, hold Ctrl and press G. It will appear as ^G in Command Prompt.
  • # represents the COM port number assigned to the printer. For example, use COM1 if the printer is assigned to COM1.

4. Confirm that the cash drawer opens. If the cash drawer does not open, verify the printer’s COM port assignment and ensure the cash drawer cable is securely connected to the printer.

Parallel Connections

1. Ensure the printer is connected to the computer and the cash drawer is connected to the printer’s DK (peripheral) port.

2. Open the Windows Start menu and type “Command Prompt“. Right-click Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator.

3. Enter the cash drawer command shown below, then press Enter.

echo ^G > LPT#

• • To enter the ^G control character, hold Ctrl and press G. It will appear as ^G in Command Prompt.
  • # represents the LPT port number assigned to the printer. For example, use LPT1 if the printer is assigned to LPT1.

4. Confirm that the cash drawer opens. If the cash drawer does not open, verify the printer’s LPT port assignment and ensure the cash drawer cable is securely connected to the printer.

See Also

How to Enable a Cash Drawer on Windows
How to Troubleshoot a Star Micronics Cash Drawer
How to Change the USB-ID of a Cash Drawer