When your point-of-sale (POS) system stops working correctly, it can disrupt service and impact revenue. Fortunately, many issues can be quickly diagnosed and fixed with a few standard troubleshooting steps. Here’s a practical guide to resolving common POS hardware problems.

1. Check Power and Connections

• Ensure all devices (POS terminal, receipt printer, cash drawer, barcode scanner, payment terminal) are plugged in and powered on.
• Look for loose cables or frayed wires.
• If using power strips or surge protectors, confirm they’re switched on and working.
• Test outlets by plugging in another device.

2. Reboot the POS System

• Power down the terminal and peripherals.
• Wait at least 30 seconds before restarting.
• Rebooting can clear temporary software or hardware communication glitches.

3. Verify Network Connectivity

• Check that the POS terminal is connected to the internet (via Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
• If wired, ensure Ethernet cables are secure and lights on the switch/router are active.
• If wireless, test Wi-Fi by connecting another device (like a phone or laptop).
• Restart the router or modem if needed.

4. Test Input Devices

• Barcode scanner: Ensure the lens is clean, try scanning a different item, or test with another terminal.
• Card reader: Check for dust or damage in the swipe/insert slot; if contactless, verify the tap area is functional.
• Touchscreen: Calibrate or clean the screen if touches aren’t registering properly.

5. Troubleshoot Printers

• Confirm the printer has power and paper loaded correctly.
• Make sure the paper roll is installed with the correct orientation.
• Ensure the paper type is the correct one for the printer model.
  • Thermal paper for thermal receipt printers, kitchen paper for dot matrix or kitchen printers.
• Check for jams and clear if necessary.
• Verify printer settings in the POS software and ensure it’s selected as the default printer.
• Look for error lights or codes on the device.

6. Inspect the Cash Drawer

• Ensure it’s connected to the receipt printer (usually through an RJ11/RJ12 cable).
• Test whether it opens manually with the key.
• If it won’t open electronically, try opening it through POS software test functions.

7. Update Software and Drivers

• Outdated drivers can cause devices to stop communicating with the POS terminal.
• Run any pending software or firmware updates.
• Restart the system after updates.
• Updating drivers or software may require the assistance of your POS partner, so please do not hesitate to reach out to them in this instance.

8. Swap or Test Components

• If possible, test the suspected faulty device on another terminal.
• Swap cables or peripherals one at a time to isolate the problem.
• Keep a spare printer, card reader, or power supply on hand for quick replacements.

9. Contact Technical Support

If the issue persists after these steps:

• Document the error messages, lights, or symptoms.
• Note what troubleshooting steps you’ve already tried.
• Provide this information to your POS technology support team for faster resolution.

✅ Pro Tip: Prevent many hardware issues by performing regular cleaning, software updates, and scheduled maintenance. Choosing enterprise-grade hardware like ELO Touch devices or Epson receipt printers can also reduce downtime due to their durability and long life cycles.

If you’re a Volanté customer, you have access to our 24/7 live agent technical support. Click here to learn more or to log a support ticket.

Interested in seeing how Volanté’s retail dining technology could work in your building?
Reach out to Volanté at 1.877.490.6333 ext. 3.