Barcode Scanner Not Scanning?
8 Common Fixes & Troubleshooting Guide (2026)
La plupart des scanners portatifs, Hanin inclus, suivent la même logique de dépannage de base, de sorte que les correctifs de ce guide s'appliquent généralement. Vous verrez d'abord les solutions rapides pour les problèmes courants de numérisation des codes à barres, puis passez au dépannage avancé et aux solutions pratiques pour les échecs de numérisation liés aux codes à barres.
Quick Checklist: Basic Troubleshooting (First Steps)
In a rush? Before diving into complex driver settings, run through this 5-step rapid diagnostic list. These simple actions resolve over 80% of common scanner issues.
Secure the Connection (Wired & Wireless)
Wired: Unplug and re-plug the USB cable until you hear a clear “click.”
Bluetooth/sans fil : Assurez-vous que le récepteur USB (dongle) est bien inséré. Si l'indicateur bleu clignote, balayez à nouveau le "code à barres d'appariement" sur la base ou le récepteur pour se reconnecter.
Check Power & Battery
Pull the trigger. If there’s no red light or laser:
- Wired: Try a different USB port.
- Wireless: Ensure the battery is charged and seated properly. A dead battery prevents scanning—even when connected by USB.
Clean the Scanner Window
Wipe dust or fingerprints off the lens with a soft, dry cloth.
The “Notepad Test”
Scan into Notepad or Word.
If data appears there but not in your POS/ERP system, the scanner is fine—the issue is software-related.
Scan “Factory Reset”
Use the “Restore Defaults” or “Factory Reset” barcode from your manual. This often resolves hidden setting conflicts and Bluetooth pairing glitches.
Troubleshooting at a Glance: Common Symptoms & Fixes
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No light / beam | Power issue or loose cable | Check USB port; Charge battery. |
| Beeps but no data | Wrong Interface Mode | Scan "USB-HID Keyboard" barcode. |
| Wrong characters | Keyboard Language mismatch | Set PC & Scanner to "English (US)". |
| Won't scan QR | 1D Scanner or Symbology disabled | Use 2D Imager; Scan "Enable QR". |
Part 1: Hardware & Connection Issues (When the Scanner Itself Isn’t Working)
De nombreux problèmes de numérisation tombent dans des schémas prévisibles. Pensez-y comme une voiture qui ne démarre pas: le problème pourrait être la batterie, le carburant ou l'allumage - tous les problèmes ne signifient pas que le moteur est cassé. Les scanners de codes à barres se comportent de la même manière.
Barcode Scanner Not Responding or Not Lighting Up
If the scanner doesn’t light up or beep when you pull the trigger, start with the basics.
- • Check the USB Port: Some USB ports—especially front-panel PC ports—deliver unstable power. Try moving the scanner to a rear port or a powered USB hub.
- • Look at the Cable: Cables tend to wear out near the connector. If you wiggle the cord slightly and the light flickers, you’ve found your culprit.
- • Wireless Scanners: Make sure the battery is fully seated and charged.
When you plug in the cable, listen for the “click.”
If the connector isn’t locked in place, the scanner won’t transmit anything.
Many users assume the scanner is “dead,” but in most cases it simply isn’t receiving enough power.
2. Scanner Beeps but No Data Appears
This one confuses a lot of people. The scanner reads the barcode—it even beeps—but nothing appears in Excel, Word, or your POS system.
Why? Because the scanner is speaking a “language” your computer isn’t listening to.
Barcode scanners usually operate in two main modes:
This is usually because of the "Interface Mode":
USB-HID (Keyboard Mode):
- The scanner behaves just like a keyboard.
- If your cursor is in a text field, it types the barcode instantly.
- → This is the mode 95% of users need.
USB-COM / Virtual COM / RS-232 Mode
- The scanner sends data to a specific serial port.
- If the software doesn't monitor that port, your scan goes into a void—like talking into a microphone with the speaker unplugged.
Fix: Scan the “USB-HID Keyboard Mode” configuration barcode from your manual. Most scanners switch modes immediately.
3. Wrong Keyboard Language: Why You Get Gibberish Output
Si vous voyez des symboles étranges, une ponctuation incorrecte ou des caractères qui ne correspondent pas à ce que vous avez numérisé, l’ordinateur et le scanner sont probablement en désaccord sur la mise en page du clavier.
It’s like having a conversation where one person thinks you're speaking English and the other thinks it's French.
How to fix mismatched output:
- • Switch your PC’s input language to English (US)
- • Or scan the “Keyboard Country” code from your scanner’s manual
- • Restart the scanning application so the new settings take effect
4. Slow Typing, Missing Digits, or Spacing Issues
If you see spaces between digits or delayed characters, your scanner may be transmitting data faster than the receiving software can handle.
Look for settings like:
- • Inter-character delay
- • Transmission speed
- • Typing speed
Increasing the delay slightly solves the issue.
5. Symbology Not Enabled (QR, Data Matrix, PDF417 Not Scanning)
If a scanner won’t read QR codes, either it's 1D-only (laser) or the symbology is disabled in settings.
Scenario 1: The Scanner Is 1D-Only
- Traditional laser scanners cannot decode 2D barcodes.
Scenario 2: The Symbology Is Disabled
- Many 2D imagers ship with certain symbologies turned off.
Scan the configuration barcode for:
This is especially important in logistics, healthcare, and electronics manufacturing.
Part 3: Barcode & Label Issues (When the Scanner Can’t Read the Code)
Sometimes the scanner is perfectly fine—the barcode simply can’t be read.
6. Damaged, Faded, Blurry, or Low-Contrast Barcodes
Barcodes degrade easily:
- • Thermal labels fade
- • Shipping labels wrinkle
- • Edges tear
- • Ink smudges
- • Reflections from glossy surfaces blind the sensor
Here are simple fixes:
- Tilt the scanner slightly: Scanning straight-on (90°) can reflect light back into the sensor. A small angle avoids this mirror effect.
- Increase or decrease the distance: Every scanner has a “sweet spot” for focus.
- Clean the scanner window: Dust behaves like a blur filter.
- Check label contrast: If black has turned to gray, low-tier scanners simply won’t decode it.
7. Quiet Zone Problems
Every barcode includes blank white space at the start and end. This is the quiet zone—and without it, the scanner can’t detect where the code begins.
If text, logos, or borders crowd this area, decoding fails.
8. High-Density or Tiny Barcodes
Certaines étiquettes, en particulier les codes électroniques ou médicaux, nécessitent une plus grande précision de décodage. Lorsque la résolution optique d’un scanner est insuffisante, il peut ne lire qu’une partie du code ou échouer à décoder entièrement.
Fix:
Use a scanner capable of reading 3–5 mil barcodes. Entry-level scanners may not be designed for this.
Why Upgrade to the HPRT N160
High-Performance 2D Barcode Scanner
Même avec les paramètres corrects et le dépannage approprié, certains scanners de codes à barres de vente au détail et d'entrepôt ne sont tout simplement pas conçus pour les environnements exigeants d'aujourd'hui. Ils luttent souvent avec :
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✅Damaged or dirty logistics labels
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✅Faded thermal printing
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✅Ultra-small or high-density barcodes
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✅Screen-based QR codes
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✅Fast-moving workflows in warehouses
Many teams choose to upgrade to the Hanin N160 2D handheld scanner, a device built to handle difficult barcodes quickly and accurately.
Key Advantages of the N160 Series
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✅3mil high-precision decoding for ultra-dense or tiny barcodes
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✅Advanced imaging algorithms that read damaged, low-contrast, or wrinkled labels
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✅Fast, reliable scanning even on glossy surfaces or mobile screens
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✅Wide depth of field for smoother scanning at various distances
De plus, le scanner de codes à barres 2D sans fil N160BT ajoute de la mobilité avec une portée Bluetooth allant jusqu'à 100 m et un berceau multifonctionnel qui sert à la fois de chargeur et de récepteur, permettant une durée d'exécution plus longue et un balayage sans fil flexible.
Si votre flux de travail implique des volumes élevés de vente au détail, de soins de santé, d'hôtellerie, d'entreposage et de fabrication légère, le N160 offre une amélioration significative de la vitesse, de la précision et de l'efficacité globale de la numérisation.
Common Barcode Scanning Questions
Q1: Why is my barcode scanner not scanning anything?
Typically due to incorrect interface mode, insufficient power, or unreadable barcodes. Start with USB-HID mode and verify the label’s condition.
Q2: Why is my scanner connected but not scanning?
Your computer may not recognize the scanner’s interface. Switch between USB-HID and USB-COM or reinstall drivers.
Q3: Do barcode scanners need drivers?
USB-HID scanners do not. Serial/COM-mode scanners usually do.
Q4: How do I reset my barcode scanner?
Scan the “Factory Default” barcode in your manual. This restores all default settings.
Q5: Why is my scanner typing incorrect characters?
Your PC and scanner are using different keyboard layouts. Switch both to English (US) or scan the correct keyboard country code.
Q6: Can all scanners read QR codes?
No. Only 2D imagers can read QR codes and other 2D symbologies.
Faster Troubleshooting, Smarter Scanning
La plupart des problèmes de scanner de codes à barres ne scannent pas se résument à des paramètres simples - mode d'interface, langue du clavier ou qualité de l'étiquette. Avec quelques contrôles rapides, vous résoudrez la plupart des problèmes sans remplacer le matériel.
Mais si vos opérations reposent sur la numérisation de codes à barres à haute densité, endommagés ou à faible contraste, un scanner d'imagerie 2D haute performance comme le Hanin N160 peut fournir une mise à niveau claire en améliorant la vitesse du flux de travail, en réduisant les erreurs et en augmentant les taux de succès de la première numérisation.
