A malfunctioning point of sale (POS) machine can spell trouble for any store, especially when you’re in the middle of serving a customer. After all, longer wait times mean a poorer customer experience, and in the worst-case scenario, your transaction might end then and there.
Don’t panic! While dealing with a POS machine not working can seem complicated, you can quickly fix most of the issues you’ll run into without slowing down your shoppers’ days.
Read our POS troubleshooting guide below for simple fixes for five common POS issues.
1. POS software isn’t responding
Screen frozen in one place? If your POS machine isn’t responding, restarting it is often enough to fix the problem. Turn off your machine by holding down the power button.
Then, wait a few seconds and turn it back on. Doing this should restart your machine, returning the screen to normal.
If this problem persists, you may need to contact your POS provider to see if they can fix it.
2. The POS printer isn’t printing
You’ve just completed a sale and hit ‘print receipt’, but nothing prints out. Two common reasons why it might only be printing blank receipts are:
- Is there any paper left in the thermal receipt printer? If not, replace the empty roll, making sure that you don’t load the paper into the printer upside-down.
- Are you using the correct type of printer paper? Ensure you use a thermal receipt paper roll, not a kitchen impact paper roll.
3. The POS machine won’t turn on
If you keep pressing the power button but your wired POS machine won’t turn on, the first step is to check that it’s properly connected to the wall socket.
Sometimes, the cable can get knocked out of place by people walking around. If it still isn’t functioning correctly, try plugging it into a different outlet.
If your POS software is hosted on a wireless device, check if the battery is charged. Make sure that you have a charger on standby to mitigate the risk of your machine suddenly switching off.
4. The POS system has connectivity problems
A solid internet connection is vital for any business using a cloud-based POS system; many systems can’t process transactions without connecting to the Internet.
A POS system might be unable to connect to the Internet for many reasons, and it may have nothing to do with your system or hardware. Instead, you might need to reset your modem and router by turning them on and off. If your POS device has a wired connection, ensure the cable is securely plugged in and not loose.
If you’re still receiving network error messages, the best solution could be to contact your internet service provider, who can provide more localised support. To avoid point-of-sale problems related to network connectivity, we recommend using a cloud-based POS system with an offline function, such as the BizEx POS.
5. The POS cash drawer doesn’t open
What if you’re handling cash transactions, but the cash drawer won’t open? Here are a couple of ways to deal with this issue:
First, check that the receipt printer is on, assigned to the POS terminal, and loaded with a paper roll. Since cash drawers are usually plugged directly into printers, they won’t turn on if the printer isn’t on either.
If there’s no issue with the printer or paper roll, you should check if the cash drawer is locked or not– it’s possible that the drawer was still locked from the previous sales day.
Keep your business running smoothly with the right POS solution
Knowing these simple solutions to POS problems can help keep your business running smoothly in the face of a stressful situation, so your customers won’t have to worry about a thing.
If you’re looking for a POS system with dedicated support, BizEx has your software solution. Our cloud-based POS system features an in-depth user guide to help you troubleshoot and resolve any POS issue you may have. The BizEx POS is designed to meet your needs, offering tailored solutions for retail stores and services.
Contact us today for more information on how BizEx POS can support your business with a streamlined transaction process.