What do I do when my POS system goes down during service?

Work through these checks in order: confirm the tablet or terminal is powered on, test your internet connection on another device, force-close and reopen the POS app, restart your router, and check your POS vendor's status page for outages. If none of that works, restart everything in the correct sequence — router first, then terminal.

What is the correct order to restart a POS system?

Shut down the POS terminal properly, then unplug the router and wait 30 seconds. Plug the router back in and wait for it to fully boot before touching anything else. Then power the terminal back on and let it reconnect to the network before opening the POS app. Never restart the terminal and router at the same time.

Why isn't my POS vendor's support line fixing the problem?

Most POS vendor support is call-centre based and relies on remote login. When the issue is hardware, network, or a physical connection fault, remote access can't fix it. You need a technician physically at your venue. HospoDoc drives to Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast venues — call 1300 467 761.

How quickly can HospoDoc respond to an emergency POS callout?

HospoDoc offers emergency callouts across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. We pick up, drive to you, and fix the problem on-site. Call 1300 467 761 for emergency support.

My POS is down — what do I do right now? | HospoDoc

Emergency Guide

My POS is down —
what do I do right now?

Publish: 1 June 2026

Your POS just died. Service starts in 40 minutes. Here’s what to do — in order — before you lose your mind.

HospoDoc technician restarting POS system at Brisbane café during service — When your POS goes down mid-service, you need someone who shows up — not a call centre.

Step 1: Don’t panic — but don’t waste time either

Every minute your system is down costs you money in delayed orders, frustrated staff, and customers who walk out. Work through these checks fast and in sequence.

Step 2: Check the basics first

Is the tablet or terminal powered on? Check the cable or battery.
Is your internet connection working? Open a browser on another device and test it.
Has the POS app crashed? Force-close it completely and reopen.
Is the router showing normal lights? Try restarting it.
Is there a provider outage? Check your POS vendor’s status page on your phone.

Step 3: Restart everything — in the right order

If the basics look fine, power everything off in sequence:

Power off the POS terminal

Shut it down properly — don’t just lock the screen.

Restart the router

Unplug from power, wait 30 seconds, plug back in.

Wait for full reconnection

Let the router fully boot before touching anything else. Watch the lights.

Power the terminal back on

Let it reconnect to the network, then open the POS app.

Tip: Never restart the terminal and router at the same time. The terminal needs a stable network to reconnect to — bring the router up first, let it settle, then boot the terminal.

Step 4: Know when to stop troubleshooting and call someone

If you’ve done the above and it’s still down — stop. You need someone physically there. Your POS vendor’s support line means hold music, a script, and a remote login that probably won’t fix anything. That’s not good enough when service starts in an hour.

This is exactly what HospoDoc exists for.

What HospoDoc does differently

We drive to your venue — no remote logins, no call centre
We diagnose and fix on-site, every time
We know hospitality systems — POS, EFTPOS, printers, Wi-Fi — all of it
Emergency callouts available across Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast

System down right now?We pick up, we drive to you, we fix it on the spot.

Call 1300 467 761