Troubleshoot scanning
Scanning problems come in four flavors: the camera can’t read the code, the code reads but matches nothing, one code matches too much, or a hardware scanner stays silent. Each has its fix.
The camera won’t read the code
Section titled “The camera won’t read the code”- Light first: the scan screen has a flash toggle — use it in a dim stockroom (on devices without a flash the app says “Flash is absent”).
- Hold steady and vary the distance slowly; small or curved codes read best a little farther away than feels natural.
- Switch the engine. Settings → Barcode scanning offers several scanner types — different camera engines suit different devices, so trying another one is the single most effective fix. If the app tells you “Google barcode scanner is not available on this device”, that engine is missing on your phone — pick a different type in the same screen.
- Glossy or crumpled labels reflect: tilt the phone slightly so the flash doesn’t glare straight back.
”Item with this barcode not found!”
Section titled “”Item with this barcode not found!””The code was read fine — no item carries it. Open the item and check its Barcode field for typos or a code from a different pack size.
- Scanning a delivery? On an Incoming operation an unknown code opens a new-item form with the barcode already filled in — create the item on the spot and keep scanning.
- Scale labels (a different code on every packet) aren’t stored in full — store the prefix instead: weight-embedded barcodes.
One scan, several items
Section titled “One scan, several items”A failure beep and a pick list mean two or more items share that barcode; the app asks which one you meant. That’s allowed only while Unique Barcodes is off in settings (“Items with identical barcodes forbidden”) — switch it on and the app refuses duplicates when saving: “Item with same barcode already exists”. Then give each of the offending items its own code.
A hardware scanner does nothing
Section titled “A hardware scanner does nothing”USB and Bluetooth scanners act as keyboards: they type what they read. Set the scanner type in Settings → Barcode scanning to the external scanner mode, and check the scanner is paired and in keyboard (HID) mode. A quick test outside StoDo: open any notes app and scan — if digits appear there, the scanner is fine.
Still stuck?
Section titled “Still stuck?”The Need support? card on the main screen reaches us directly — include your phone model and, if you can, a photo of the label that won’t scan.