Epson TM-T20IV setup guide: from unboxing to first receipt

This guide takes a new TM-T20IV from the box to its first receipt from Windows. It is written for our model C31CL47101, which connects over USB or RS-232 serial.

Before you start

Check which model you have

Epson Europe lists C31CL47101 as the black TM-T20IV USB + Serial model, supplied with the AC adapter C1 and an EU AC cable. It has a USB Type-B port, a serial port, a drawer kick connector and the power socket. It has no Ethernet port. The version with Ethernet is a separate part number (C31CL47102). The nameplate on the side of the printer shows the model number and serial number.

Check the box

Epson's manuals list these items in the box:

• A roll of paper for the first operation check
• The AC adapter and an AC cable (the cable is not included with some models)
• A USB interface cable
• A wall hanging bracket and rubber feet for vertical installation
• A 58 mm roll paper guide
• The User's Guide

Epson Europe's product page for C31CL47101 gives a shorter list: main unit, AC adapter C1, EU AC cable, cable cover and paper roll spacer. Keep the 58 mm roll paper guide even if you print on 80 mm paper today. Something missing or damaged? Contact us before you set up the printer.

Choose a spot

The TM-T20IV can stand horizontally with the paper coming out on top, stand vertically with the paper coming out at the front, or hang on a wall.

• Use a firm, flat surface away from dust. Don't trap cables or objects under the printer.
• Keep it between 5 and 45 °C and 10 to 90 % relative humidity. Above about 34 °C, Epson allows less humidity.
• The printer can move when it cuts paper or opens a cash drawer. Epson offers DF-10 affixing tape to hold it in place.
• For vertical installation, fit the four rubber feet into the rectangular recesses in the case.
• For wall mounting, use the included bracket with two metal screws 80 mm apart, in a wood, concrete or metal wall at least 10 mm thick. Follow the measurements in Epson's wall hanging instructions.
• In a self-service kiosk, leave at least 10 mm of free space above the paper exit, or the paper can jam.

Load the paper roll

The TM-T20IV uses drop-in loading, so you don't need to thread the paper.

1. Put a finger under the cover knob and lift the roll paper cover (1).
2. Remove the empty core of the old roll, if there is one.
3. Drop the new roll (2) into the compartment so the paper comes off the underside of the roll towards the front of the printer (3). Epson's manual shows this direction with a tick; a roll unwinding from the top is wrong.
4. Pull out a little paper past the front edge and close the cover firmly.

Use thermal paper 79.5 ± 0.5 mm wide (the standard 80 mm roll), 53 to 75 µm thick, on a core with a 12 mm inner and 18 mm outer diameter. Don't use rolls whose paper end is glued to the core.

Connect the power

1. Make sure the printer is switched off.
2. Connect the AC cable to the AC adapter.
3. Plug the adapter's DC cable into the power supply connector marked 24V (2).
4. Plug the AC cable into a wall socket that matches the adapter's input voltage.

Use the Epson AC adapter C1 that comes with the printer, or an equivalent Epson adapter. If anything unusual happens, such as smoke or a strange smell, switch off and unplug the printer at once.

Run a self-test

The self-test proves that the printer, paper and cutter work before you involve the computer. It prints the firmware version, serial number, interface information and maintenance counters.

1. Close the roll paper cover.
2. Hold down Feed and press the power button. Keep holding Feed until printing starts.
3. The printer prints its current settings and then a short guidance text, and waits.
4. Press Feed briefly (less than one second). The printer prints a pattern of characters, then "*** completed ***", and returns to normal mode.

After you switch on, the Error LED lights for a moment and goes out when the printer is ready. If it stays on or flashes, see TM-T20IV lights and problems.

Install the Windows driver

Install the driver before you connect the printer to the computer. Epson's driver for this printer is the EPSON Advanced Printer Driver 6 (APD6) for TM-T20IV.

1. Open the Epson download page for the TM-T20IV and choose your Windows version.
2. In Europe, download the package marked "Europe/the Middle East/Africa". It already includes StatusAPI.
3. Run the installer with administrator rights, with all other programs closed.
4. In the EPSON TM Printer Settings window, select "New Printer", check the printer name, and choose the port type: USB, or Serial with the COM port of your computer.
5. Click [Save Settings] and then [Close].

For serial, the driver settings must match the printer. The factory settings are 38,400 bps, no parity, DTR/DSR handshaking and 8 data bits. Every screen, including network printers on other models, is in Install the Epson receipt printer driver on Windows.

Connect the printer to the computer

USB

1. Connect the USB cable to the USB Type-B port (3) and secure the cable with the hook so it can't be pulled out.
2. Start the computer first, then switch on the printer.
3. Windows adds the printer automatically. This only works while the printer is ready, so close the cover and make sure paper is loaded.

Serial (RS-232)

1. Connect the serial cable to the serial port (1) and tighten the screws on both sides of the connector.
2. Start the computer first, then switch on the printer.

Both interfaces are active at the same time by default, so you don't need to switch the printer between USB and serial.

Connect a cash drawer (optional)

Plug the drawer's RJ12 cable into the drawer kick connector (4) and press until it clicks. The printer supplies the drawer with 24 V through this cable. Never connect a telephone line to this port. The optional external buzzer uses the same port, so you can use either the buzzer or a drawer, not both. Setting the drawer to open with each receipt is covered in Connect a cash drawer to an Epson receipt printer.

Print a test receipt

1. On Windows 11, open Settings › Bluetooth & devices › Printers & scanners and select the TM-T20IV.
2. Choose "Print test page". It prints as a receipt.
3. Print a receipt from your POS software to check the layout and the cut.

Using Loyverse POS? See Set up an Epson receipt printer in Loyverse POS. Want narrower receipts? The TM-T20IV can switch to 58 mm paper, but only once: read Switch an Epson receipt printer to 58 mm paper first.