The Epson TM-m30 series currently includes the TM-m30, TM-m30II, and TM-m30III models. These thermal printers use heat instead of ink or toner to quickly produce customer receipts and order dockets, making them well suited for POS stations in dining rooms, counters, bars, and other high-traffic areas. 

This article guides you through the initial hardware setup and connecting the printer for use with Lightspeed Restaurant (O-Series). 

The TM-m30 series printers are supported only when connected via Bluetooth or wired network (LAN). All TM-m30 models support LAN, and specific models also support Bluetooth connectivity.

What's in this guide?

Hardware requirements
Setting up the printer
Configuring printer IP settings
Adding the printer to Lightspeed Restaurant
Performing a test print
Troubleshooting 

Hardware requirements

Before you can set up your printer, you’ll need the following items:

Epson TM-m30 series printer	Power cable and AC adapter
Paper roll (76mm)	LAN cable

Setting up the printer

This section walks you through setting up your Epson TM-m30 series printer for use with Lightspeed Restaurant, including hardware installation, connectivity setup, and network configuration.

Supported connection types

Lightspeed Restaurant (O-Series) supports connection via LAN or Bluetooth for the Epson TM-m30 series printer. Each option has its own benefits and setup requirements, depending on your venue layout and how the printer will be used. This section guides you through choosing and setting up the right connection type for your printer.

• LAN: You'll need an Ethernet cable long enough to connect the printer to your router or wall port. Printers connected via LAN can be shared across multiple POS devices. For reliable printing, ensure your network is stable and properly configured.
• Bluetooth: Supports a one-to-one wireless connection with iOS devices only. Each Bluetooth printer can be paired with a single POS register and should stay within 5-10 meters to maintain a stable connection.

Connecting the printer to a power supply

To begin setting up your Epson TM-m30 series printer, it must be connected to a power source. The steps below show how to properly connect the power adapter and cable.

1. Plug the power cord into the AC adapter.
2. Remove the bottom and side covers of the printer.
3. Turn the printer upside down and connect the AC adapter to the circular power socket on the bottom of the printer. 
   
4. Plug the power cord into an electrical power supply, such as a wall outlet. Wait to turn on your printer until instructed later in setup.
5. If setting up the Bluetooth model, reinstall the bottom and side covers. Otherwise, leave the covers off for now.

Loading a paper roll

Loading the paper roll in the correct orientation for your TM-m30 series printer will ensure it prints properly. This printer uses thermal receipt paper, which reacts to heat and is different from normal paper.

1. Open the top printer cover by pushing the lever on the right side away from you and lifting the cover.
2. Insert the paper roll so that the end feeds from the bottom. While doing so, ensure the paper roll stays tight and doesn’t unspool.
3. Pull the paper out past the cutter at the front of the printer.
4. Push the cover down to snap it shut.

Connecting the printer via LAN or Bluetooth

Lightspeed Restaurant supports connection via LAN or Bluetooth, depending on your specific printer model and your setup needs. The following sections explain how each connection method works and how to configure it.

Configuring printer IP settings

For printers connected to LAN, configuring the IP settings may be necessary to ensure a reliable connection between your printer and other devices on the network. This includes printing a status sheet to review the current network configuration and assigning a static IP address to prevent connectivity issues caused by changing IP addresses.

Printing a status sheet

For LAN-connected printers, printing a status sheet helps you review the current network settings before making changes. It includes key details such as the printer’s IP address, DHCP status, and other configuration information.

1. Ensure the printer is powered on.
2. Open the top cover by pushing the lever on the right side away from you, then lift the cover.
3. Hold down the Feed button for at least 3 seconds.
4. Close the cover. A status sheet will then automatically print containing the network configuration details.

Setting up a static IP address

Assigning a static IP address ensures the IP remains consistent. This prevents printing issues caused by changing IP addresses, especially after power cycles or network reboots.

1. Ensure your POS device or computer is connected to the same network as your printer.
2. Open a web browser, such as Chrome or Safari.
3. In the address bar, enter and search for your printer's IP address to access the printer's configuration page. 
4. Log in to the printer configuration page using epson for both the username and password.
5. Under Configuration, select TCP/IP.
6. Under Acquiring the IP address, select Manual.
7. Enter the IP Address in the IP Address field. It's recommended to use the same IP currently assigned to the printer as shown on the status sheet. 
8. Click Submit.
9. On the next screen, click Reset to apply the changes.

Adding the printer to Lightspeed Restaurant

After completing the initial hardware and connectivity setup, you can connect the printer to Lightspeed Restaurant to enable printing. This can be done automatically via the POS or manually in Back Office. 

Adding the printer via the POS

Ensure your POS is connected to the same network as the printer. This allows the POS to automatically detect and add your printer. 

To add the printer via the POS:

1. Tap Menu (☰). 
2. From the navigation menu, tap Printing. The system will search for your printer and display the message, "Great, we found some printers!"
3. Tap Continue to Settings.
4. Use the toggles to enable or disable a printer for receipts, cash drawer, and production dockets. 
5. Tap Save and Close. 
   

Once added, you can run a test print and configure options for receipt and docket printing, as well as cash drawer functionality.  

Adding the printer via the Back Office

If the POS can't automatically detect the printer but you have its valid IP address, you can add it manually in Back Office. 

To add the printer in Back Office:

1. Log in to Back Office with your Lightspeed credentials. 
2. Under Network Printers in this Site, click +Add Printer.
3. Enter the printer name and IP address shown on the status sheet you printed. You can customize the printer name to anything you prefer.
4. Click Add Printer.
   
5. Manually sync the POS or sync your registers from Back Office.

Performing a test print

To ensure that your printer is successfully connected to your POS, it is recommended to do a test print. This confirms that receipts, dockets, and cash drawer functions operate based on your settings. 

A successful test print confirms that the printer is properly linked to your POS and ready to be used. To make sure actual items will print correctly, refer to our article on setting up production printing.

To perform a test print:

1. In the POS, tap Menu (☰). 
2. Select Printing.
3. Use the toggles to enable or disable a printer for receipts, cash drawer, and production dockets.
4. Tap Test. If all three options are enabled, the printer will print dockets for the receipt and production docket connection, and the cash drawer will open.
5. Tap Save and Close.

Troubleshooting

If your printer isn’t working as expected, our printing troubleshooting guide can help you resolve common printing issues.

What's next?