5 Common POS System Issues (And How to Fix Them Fast)

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POS Problems Don’t Just Slow You Down – They Cost You Sales

When your point-of-sale system goes down, everything grinds to a halt.

Whether it’s a frozen screen, a receipt that won’t print, or a card reader that suddenly stops responding, POS issues hit hard, and usually at the worst possible time.

And the longer it takes to fix the problem, the more frustrated your customers (and staff) become. Delays hurt your reputation, your service flow, and your bottom line.

The good news? Most POS issues are common and they can often be fixed fast if you know what to look for.

In this post, we’ll break down:

5 of the most common POS problems businesses face
Step-by-step fixes you can try right away
Pro tips to keep them from coming back

Let’s troubleshoot.

1. Frozen or Unresponsive Terminal

Few things are more stressful than a POS system freezing mid-transaction – especially with a line of customers waiting.

If your touchscreen becomes unresponsive, or the system just locks up, it usually points to a memory overload, software glitch, or network hiccup.

Quick Fixes for a Frozen Terminal

Force a restart of the terminal or tablet
Close out any unused background apps that may be draining resources
Check for pending software updates and install them if needed
Power cycle the terminal by unplugging it, waiting 10 seconds, then restarting

Still freezing? It might be a sign your system needs a software cleanup or hardware upgrade. That’s where professional support comes in.

Pro Tip: Schedule regular reboots for your terminals, especially if they’re running multiple apps or shifts without a reset. It’s a simple way to keep systems stable and responsive.

2. Receipt Printer Not Printing

Your transaction goes through, but the customer is still waiting…because the receipt never printed.

It’s a common issue, and often an easy one to fix. Most printer problems come down to paper misfeeds, loose connections, or a miscommunication between the POS and the printer.

Quick Fixes for Printers

Check the paper roll – make sure it’s loaded correctly and not out
Ensure the printer lid is fully closed and aligned properly
Power cycle the printer – unplug it for a few seconds, then restart
Check the USB, Bluetooth, or network connection depending on your setup
Verify that the printer is selected in your POS settings or driver preferences

Still not printing? You may need a firmware update or printer driver reinstallation, which a managed POS support provider like SERVD I.T. by SORA Partners can handle remotely.

Pro Tip: Keep a backup roll of thermal paper at every register, and run a test print during opening procedures so issues are caught before they impact a customer.

3. POS Can’t Connect to the Internet

If your POS system can’t connect to the internet, you’re stuck. Payment processing fails, cloud-based tools don’t sync, and in many cases, you can’t complete a sale.

This issue can stem from problems with your router, Wi-Fi signal, cabling, or even a temporary ISP outage.

Quick Fixes for Internet Connection Problems

Restart your modem and router – power off both, wait 30 seconds, then power back on
Confirm that the POS terminal is connected to the correct Wi-Fi or Ethernet network
Test internet speed on another device to see if the issue is system-wide
Switch to a backup connection (like a hotspot or secondary network) if available
If your POS has offline mode, enable it so you can keep serving customers and sync later (some POS systems will automatically do this for you)

Frequent connection issues could point to outdated equipment or network setup problems. That’s where a managed IT provider can step in to stabilize and secure your infrastructure.

Pro Tip: For mission-critical systems, use a dual-WAN router or a 4G/LTE failover setup to keep your network up, even when your primary internet goes down. SERVD I.T. offers network management solutions with built-in failover to keep your business online.

4. Card Reader Not Responding

When a customer taps, inserts, or swipes their card and…nothing happens, it’s a problem that disrupts the entire checkout experience.

Whether the reader doesn’t respond, throws an error, or seems completely dead, it’s usually caused by a connection issue, outdated software, or hardware fatigue.

Quick Fixes for Card Readers

Disconnect and reconnect the reader (USB, Bluetooth, or audio jack)
Clean the reader’s contact points and chip slot – dirt or debris can block signals
Restart both the card reader and the POS terminal
Ensure the POS app or payment software is updated and synced with your device
Try a different payment method (chip, swipe, tap, manual entry) to isolate the problem

If your reader fails frequently or disconnects during peak times, it may be time to upgrade hardware or check for power supply issues, both of which SERVD I.T. can monitor and support remotely.

Pro Tip: Keep backup payment options ready (like manual card entry or QR code pay) and run a reader test each morning as part of your open checklist.

5. Wrong Prices or Menu Items Displayed

If your POS system is showing outdated prices, missing menu items, or incorrect product info, it creates confusion at checkout, and can cost you money.

This issue typically comes from incomplete data syncing between your POS backend and front-end terminals, especially if changes were made recently or your system runs offline at times.

Quick Fixes for Menu Issues

Force a sync between your POS software and terminals (check for a “sync” or “refresh” option in your system)
Restart the POS terminal to clear cached data and pull updated info
Log in to your POS back office or admin dashboard to confirm that updates were saved and pushed
Clear the app cache if your system runs on a tablet-based app
For cloud-based systems, ensure internet connection is stable and syncing is enabled

If your POS regularly “forgets” updates or fails to sync, it could point to connectivity issues, software misconfigurations, or aging hardware, all of which a managed provider like SERVD I.T. can troubleshoot and optimize.

Pro Tip: Assign a team member to verify product/menu accuracy daily or weekly, especially after updates or promos. Many systems also allow scheduled syncs for automatic updates.

Don’t Let POS Glitches Hurt Your Business

A slow receipt printer or frozen terminal might seem like a small problem, until it happens during a lunch rush or peak sales hour.

The truth is, POS issues don’t just frustrate your staff – they cost you time, money, and customer trust.

Most common problems can be fixed quickly if you know where to look. But the best fix? Preventing them in the first place.

That’s where SERVD I.T. from SORA Partners comes in.

We help businesses:

Monitor their systems for issues before they interrupt service
Troubleshoot and resolve POS problems remotely or on-site
Keep software and hardware updated and optimized
Provide fast, knowledgeable support when things go wrong

Don’t wait for your POS to fail you. Let’s keep it running the way it should.

Need help with your POS system? Let’s talk.