Barcode Scanners

Barcode Scanners

Most barcode scanners are compatible, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• USB barcode scanners are preferred. They're easy to set up and generally less expensive than Bluetooth scanners.
• They must be able to read code 39 and/or code 128 barcodes.
• Unless a setting change is needed (such as enabling a carriage return), keep the scanner in its factory default settings..
• The scanner must be capable of performing a carriage return. If it is not pre-programmed for this function, you will need to refer to the manual and adjust the programming accordingly.
• You can purchase a compatible scanner from POS Portals, a third-party hardware vendor. Please note that orders, shipping, and returns are handled directly by POS Portals, not SimpleConsign.
  https://shopposportals.com/collections/simpleconsign#sp-shop-simpleconsign 

Troubleshooting

Please note: Barcode scanners are plug-and-play devices. Once connected, a scanner acts like a keyboard: it types the barcode number into whatever field is selected, then presses Enter. SimpleConsign does not sell, endorse, or configure any specific scanner brand or model, and we do not keep manuals for them. Our support for scanners is limited to the guidance in this article. For further help, please contact the scanner’s manufacturer, the vendor you purchased it from, or a local technician who can look at the equipment in person.

Step 1: Test the scanner outside of SimpleConsign

1. Open a blank text document, such as Notepad (Windows) or TextEdit (Mac).
2. Scan a SimpleConsign barcode tag.
3. Compare what happens to the list below:

• The barcode number appears and the cursor moves to a new line. The scanner is working correctly. See Scanner works in Notepad but not in SimpleConsign below.
• Nothing appears. The scanner is not connecting to the computer. See Wired (USB) scanners or Wireless and Bluetooth scanners below.
• The number appears, but the cursor stays on the same line. The scanner is not sending a carriage return (Enter). Refer to the scanner’s manual to turn this on, or reset the scanner to its factory default settings.
• Incorrect characters appear, such as symbols instead of numbers. The scanner’s keyboard language or country setting does not match the computer’s. Reset the scanner to its factory default settings, or set it to a US English keyboard using the manual.
• Some barcodes scan but others do not. See Barcode and label problems below.

Scanner works in Notepad but not in SimpleConsign

• Click into the scan field (for example, the item field on the Checkout screen) before scanning. The scanner types wherever the cursor is.
• Refresh the browser page and try again.

Wired (USB) scanners

1. Make sure the scanner’s lens, body, and cable/plug are clean and free from damage.
2. Unplug the scanner from your computer.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Reconnect the scanner to a different USB port, plugged directly into the computer rather than through a hub or adapter.
5. If the scanner still does not respond, reset it to its factory default settings. This is usually done by scanning a “factory default” barcode printed in the scanner’s manual, which can generally be found online by searching for the brand and model.

Wireless and Bluetooth scanners

1. Charge the scanner. Fully charge it or place it in its charging cradle. A low battery is a common cause of dropped connections.
2. Stay within range. Keep the scanner close to the computer or its base. Walls, metal shelving, and distance can interrupt the signal.
3. Wake the scanner. Many wireless scanners go to sleep after a period of inactivity. Press the trigger once to wake it, wait a moment, then scan again. The first scan after waking may not register.
4. Use the included receiver, if there is one. If your scanner came with a USB receiver (dongle) or a base station, connect through that instead of your computer’s built-in Bluetooth. Plug the receiver directly into the computer. This is usually more reliable.
5. Check that it is connected to the right device. A scanner paired with a phone, tablet, or another computer may connect to that device instead. Unpair it from any device that should not be using it.
6. Re-pair the scanner. Remove or “forget” the scanner in your computer’s Bluetooth settings. Put the scanner back into pairing mode (usually by scanning a pairing barcode in its manual) and pair it again.
7. Confirm keyboard (HID) mode. Some Bluetooth scanners can also run in a serial (SPP) mode, which will not type into a web browser. The scanner must be in keyboard or HID mode. Refer to the manual to check or change this.
8. Restart. Turn Bluetooth off and back on, or restart the computer, then reconnect the scanner.

Barcode and label problems

• Try scanning a freshly printed tag. Faded, smudged, wrinkled, or torn barcodes, or barcodes covered with glossy tape, may not scan reliably.
• If newly printed tags come out faint or patchy, the problem may be the label printer or the labels rather than the scanner. See our Thermal Label Printers and Labels and Tags articles.
• Confirm the scanner can read Code 39 and/or Code 128 barcodes, as listed in the requirements above.

Still not working?

If these steps do not fix the issue, please contact the scanner’s manufacturer or the vendor you purchased it from. Before you contact them, have your scanner’s brand and model ready, along with what happened during the Notepad test in Step 1. That will help them find the problem faster.