Being in the business of free POS, in particular PC POS software, we have seen our fair share of issues with Pole Display devices, also known as customer-facing displays. Some of the most common problems with these devices are also ones that you can fairly easy resolve yourself. Let’s take a look at a few of those issues.

The POS pole display won’t turn on.

Make sure that the power adapter and it’s cable is plugged-in from the wall to the display and is adequately providing power to the device. Believe it or not way back when, we had an issue with a customer using our tanning salon software, who was convinced that something was wrong with their pole  display, and later found out that their pole display power adapter was still left buried in the shipping box and never even taken out of the box. Also check that your power outlet is working properly and that it’s providing power. And if you find out that the power adapter is not providing power, with a voltmeter or some other method of testing, consider replacing your power adapter, which will be less costly then replacing the entire display.

The pole display is not showing any text.

You have to make sure that the pole display is connected to the POS system and that the cable is not damaged and it’s compatible with the POS software. Also make sure that you have all the correct manufacturer drivers or software installed for the proper functioning of the pole display. Ensure that the display is configured with the correct settings like baud rate, data bits, etc. Also if too many settings have been tampered with and you are unsure of recommended settings, consider resetting everything to default settings in the manufacturers provided software. This happened to us once with a customer that was using our pet store software, they had tinkered with too many settings that they didn’t understand and in the end everything started working once we reset it all to default settings.

Display showing garbled or incorrect text.

You have to check if the pole display is configured with the correct character set like the ASCII code, Unicode Etc, refer to the POS manual for this. Also verify that the display is compatible with the POS system and the POS software that you’re using. Make sure you don’t have any nearby devices that are emitting electromagnetic fields that could be interfering with the display itself. Try adjusting the contrast or brightness settings on the display if you have such an option.

Display is flickering or flashing.

Again, check the display cable and make sure that it’s tightly and securely connected to the POS system and not lose. Make sure that your power is not fluctuating and that it is stable at the power source. Ensure that your customer display is not on a spot where it’s exposed to excessive heat or sunlight.

Display is not responding to any inputs from the POS software.

Check the cable again, just as we explained in the previous points. Check the settings of the pole display and how it is configured and make sure that the POS system is sending the correct commands for the mode of work that the display is set to work on. In here it may again be helpful to reset all the display settings to default settings.

Troubleshooting Common POS Pole Display Errors

Error Message/Code: “Connection Failure – Error Code PD001”

  • Problem: The POS system is unable to establish a connection with the pole display.
  • Solution: Verify that the cable connecting the display to the POS system is secure and undamaged. Check the COM port settings in the POS software to ensure they match the pole display’s configuration.

Error Message/Code: “Invalid Configuration – Error Code PD002”

  • Problem: The pole display settings are not correctly configured.
  • Solution: Reset the customer display to its default settings. Ensure that parameters like baud rate, data bits, and parity are set as per the manufacturer’s specifications.

Error Message/Code: “Unsupported Character Set – Error Code PD003”

  • Problem: The character set selected in the POS software is not supported by the pole display.
  • Solution: Change the character set in the POS software to a standard one like ASCII or Unicode, as supported by the pole display model.

Error Message/Code: “Power Supply Issue – Error Code PD004”

  • Problem: The display is not receiving adequate power.
  • Solution: Check the power adapter and ensure it is connected properly. Use a voltmeter to verify the power output. Replace the adapter if necessary.

Error Message/Code: “Firmware Mismatch – Error Code PD005”

  • Problem: The pole display’s firmware version is incompatible with the POS software.
  • Solution: Update the firmware of the pos display to the latest version recommended by the manufacturer.

Error Message/Code: “Brightness/Contrast Error – Error Code PD006”

  • Problem: Issues with the display’s visibility, either too dim or too bright.
  • Solution: Adjust the brightness and contrast settings on the pole display, if available. Ensure the display is not in direct sunlight or under strong artificial light.

Error Message/Code: “Overheating Warning – Error Code PD007”

  • Problem: The pole display is overheating, possibly due to environmental factors.
  • Solution: Ensure the display is not placed near heat sources or in direct sunlight. Check for proper ventilation around the device.

It goes without saying that if these measures didn’t help, you should consider contacting the manufacturer or a technician locally for further assistance.

Aside from that here’s another resource of great help with all display troubleshooting.