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What can I do if a barcode is not recognized in the WMS App?

Steps to check when the WMS App with Pickware for Shopify does not recognize a barcode, a product label, or a shipping label.

If the WMS App does not recognize a barcode, the cause lies in the content of the barcode, the scanner, or the print quality of the label. The following steps help you find the cause.

Compare with the camera

Press and hold the display to open the camera on your iPhone, and scan the barcode with it. If the camera recognizes it, the problem lies with the scanner or its configuration.

Check the content of the barcode

The WMS App compares the scanned content exactly with the product number or the EAN of your products. Even a single space, for example at the start of the product number, prevents the product from being found. Labels you create with Pickware contain the product number by default, not the EAN. QR codes also work if exactly this character string is contained in them.

Scan shipping labels, order numbers, and picklists

The app only finds shipping labels and the barcode of the order number on the delivery note or invoice if the order is under Picked.

The picklist has its own barcode. If you scan it, the app starts picking for this order. This only works as long as no picking is running for the order yet and it matches the selected picking profile and warehouse. If picking is already running, is paused, or the order is picked, the app reports: No picking order with number … was found that is still open and matches the checked picking profile.

If you use a Bluetooth handheld scanner and a shipping label is not recognized, the scanner may be transmitting additional characters. With the POS handheld scanner from Socket Mobile, scan the barcode for the Data As Is mode. How to do this is described under What hardware do I need to use Pickware WMS?

Check the print quality of your own labels

The barcode (Code 128) becomes finer the more characters it contains. With long product numbers or bin location names, the bars become so thin that thermal printers cannot print them cleanly and scanners cannot distinguish them. In that case, use shorter numbers or bin location names, or use the EAN as the barcode content.

When creating the labels, set sufficient print margins, for example 3 mm, otherwise the barcode will be cut off. You can find more information under How do I create labels for my products?

If your label printer prints unevenly, calibrate it and clean the print head.

Send device logs

If the barcode is still not recognized, upload the device logs right after the failed scan and contact our support. How to do this is described under How can I send an error report from the WMS App?

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