Maintenance Guide
What to Do When Your Fiscal Cash Register Stops Working
Published September 10, 2026 · 4 min read
A fiscal cash register is one of the most important devices in the daily operations of retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses required to issue fiscal receipts. When it suddenly stops working, it can cause business interruptions, customer dissatisfaction, and difficulties recording sales.
The good news is that not every problem indicates a serious malfunction. Sometimes the cause is relatively simple, such as an internet connection failure, a power supply issue, or jammed printer paper.
In this guide, you'll learn what to check first when your fiscal cash register stops working, how to identify common problems, and when professional technical support is necessary.
1. Check the Power Supply
If your fiscal cash register doesn't respond when you try to turn it on, the first step is to check its power supply.
The problem may be related to the power adapter, electrical outlet, cable, or device battery.
What should you check?
Whether the device is properly connected to the power supply.
Whether the electrical outlet is working.
Whether cables are connected correctly and show no visible damage.
Whether the battery is discharged, if the device supports battery operation.
Whether the device displays any power indicators.
Solution: Check the accessible connections and try turning on the device according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If you notice damaged cables, overheating, or a burning smell, disconnect the device from the power supply if it is safe to do so. Do not turn it back on until it has been professionally inspected.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
Modern electronic fiscal devices use an internet connection to communicate with the Serbian Tax Administration's fiscalization system.
If your internet connection fails, you may encounter communication errors or problems transmitting fiscal data.
What should you check first?
Whether the internet works on other devices.
Whether the cash register is connected to the correct Wi-Fi or mobile network.
Whether the network cable is properly connected, if using a wired connection.
Whether the router is functioning normally.
Whether the device displays an internet connection error.
Important: A temporary internet outage doesn't necessarily mean your fiscal cash register must stop issuing receipts.
Electronic fiscal devices that support offline operation may continue processing fiscal receipts through an appropriate local fiscal receipt processor.
In such cases, fiscal data is stored and transmitted to the Tax Administration once the connection is restored, within the legally prescribed deadlines.
However, systems that depend on a virtual fiscal receipt processor may be unable to issue receipts without an internet connection.
That's why it's important to understand the capabilities and configuration of your specific fiscal device.
3. The Cash Register Works but Doesn't Print Receipts
One of the most common problems occurs when the fiscal device operates normally but fails to print receipts.
The issue is often related to the thermal printer or paper roll.
Common causes include:
No paper in the printer.
Incorrectly installed thermal paper.
Jammed paper.
An improperly closed printer cover.
Connection problems with an external printer.
Mechanical or electronic printer malfunctions.
Solution: Check the paper, install the roll correctly, and remove any paper jams according to the manufacturer's instructions.
If you're using an external printer, make sure it's turned on and properly connected.
Before attempting to issue the receipt again, verify whether the previous transaction was already fiscalized to avoid accidentally recording the same sale twice.
If the problem continues, contact technical support.
4. The Fiscal Cash Register Displays an Error Message
Modern fiscal devices may display various error messages and codes.
These can indicate:
Internet connection problems.
Fiscal software errors.
Security element issues.
Failed communication with the fiscal receipt processor.
Printer malfunctions.
Incorrect settings or hardware failures.
What should you do?
Write down the error message or code, or take a photo of the device's screen.
Avoid attempting to resolve the problem by randomly changing settings, deleting data, or restoring factory defaults.
Such actions can make diagnostics more difficult or compromise information required for proper fiscal recordkeeping.
Solution: Contact technical support and provide the exact error message to help identify the problem more quickly.
5. The Cash Register Freezes or Runs Very Slowly
If your fiscal cash register responds slowly, the application frequently freezes, or the device becomes unresponsive, the cause may be a software or hardware issue.
Possible reasons include:
Insufficient available memory.
Errors in the fiscal application.
Outdated or incompatible software versions.
Data storage problems.
Device overload or hardware malfunction.
Solution: If the manufacturer or fiscal solution provider permits a normal device restart, this may resolve temporary software issues.
Before restarting, verify whether the previous transaction was completed and whether the receipt was already recorded.
Avoid deleting applications, fiscal data, or changing system configurations yourself.
If the problem occurs repeatedly, a professional inspection is necessary.
6. What If the Fiscal Cash Register Stops Working Completely?
A complete fiscal cash register failure can seriously disrupt business operations, especially in locations serving many customers.
In Serbia, businesses subject to fiscalization requirements must record retail transactions using an appropriate electronic fiscal device and issue fiscal receipts in accordance with applicable regulations.
If your cash register can no longer issue fiscal receipts, you should not continue recording sales using methods that do not comply with fiscalization rules.
Depending on your business setup and fiscal solution, possible alternatives include:
Using a properly configured backup electronic fiscal device.
Switching to another approved fiscal solution, provided all technical requirements are met.
Contacting your fiscal software provider or technical support team to resolve the issue.
The Serbian Tax Administration allows the use of a backup fiscal device with the appropriate security element, as well as a virtual fiscal receipt processor when the relevant requirements are satisfied.
If no functioning alternative fiscalization solution is available, transactions requiring fiscal receipts must be suspended until compliant receipt issuance is restored.
Important: A handwritten receipt or ordinary payment acknowledgment is not automatically a valid substitute for a legally required fiscal receipt.
7. When Should You Contact a Fiscal Cash Register Technician?
Some issues can be resolved by checking the paper roll, connections, or internet access.
However, professional assistance is recommended when:
The fiscal cash register won't turn on.
The device cannot issue fiscal receipts.
Persistent or unfamiliar error messages appear.
The printer doesn't work after basic troubleshooting.
The fiscal application frequently freezes.
There is a problem with the security element.
The device cannot communicate properly with the fiscalization system.
Contacting technical support promptly can significantly reduce business downtime.
When reporting an issue, it's helpful to provide the device model, a description of the problem, any error codes, and details about when the issue first occurred.
How Can You Prevent Common Fiscal Cash Register Problems?
Although technical problems cannot always be prevented, proper maintenance can reduce the risk of unexpected interruptions.
Recommended practices include:
Regularly inspect the device and its power cables.
Use the correct power supply and appropriate protection against electrical fluctuations.
Maintain a reliable internet connection when required by your fiscal solution.
Check thermal paper supplies and printer condition regularly.
Install fiscal software updates according to your solution provider's recommendations.
Avoid changing fiscal settings without proper instructions.
Consider keeping a backup fiscal device or another compliant alternative solution.
For businesses that depend on fiscal cash registers for daily operations, preventive maintenance and reliable technical support can make a significant difference.
Conclusion: A Quick Response Helps Minimize Business Downtime
When your fiscal cash register stops working, the most important step is identifying the cause correctly.
Sometimes, checking the power supply, internet connection, or printer paper is enough to resolve the issue. However, problems involving fiscal software, security elements, or electronic components require professional diagnostics.
It's especially important to follow fiscalization regulations during technical difficulties and ensure that fiscal receipts are issued correctly.
Is your fiscal cash register not working or displaying an error?
The team at KOLIBRI Servis in Prokuplje is here to help with technical support, diagnostics, and fiscal cash register servicing.
Contact us today and get your business back to normal as quickly as possible!