Barcode scanner and mobile computer troubleshooting: find the cause and the fix
Preventive battery replacement, Wi-Fi coverage audit and a general check of your scanners and mobile computers.
In brief. The manufacturers' documentation keeps pointing to the same causes: a barcode type that is not enabled, an interface or keyboard country programmed incorrectly, a broken link with the base, a battery charged outside its temperature range and, on mobile computers, a scanning application that is disabled. TIMCOD technicians have documented 1042 problems across 46 Zebra, Datalogic, Honeywell, Unitech and CipherLab scanners and mobile computers, with the cause and the fix described by each manufacturer. Search for your model or the signal you see, or start from the symptom.
Examples:
Scanner and mobile computer troubleshooting by brand
Each brand page brings together the manufacturer's own signals, its models and the checks common to the range.
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Zebra Zebra scanner and mobile computer troubleshooting
Handheld scanners: DS3600; fixed-mount scanners: FS10, FS20, FS40 / FS70; mobile computers: MC3200, MC3300, MC3300ax, MC3300x, MC3400, MC9190-G, MC9200, MC9300, MC9400, TC22R, TC8000, TC8300.
- DS3600
- FS10
- FS20
- FS40 / FS70
- MC3200
- MC3300
- MC3300ax
- MC3300x
- MC3400
- MC9190-G
- MC9200
- MC9300
- MC9400
- TC22R
- TC8000
- TC8300
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Datalogic Datalogic scanner and mobile computer troubleshooting
Handheld scanners: PowerScan 9100, PowerScan 9500, PowerScan 9600; fixed-mount scanners: Matrix 120, Matrix 220, Matrix 320; mobile computers: Falcon X4, Falcon X60 / X65, Memor X3, Skorpio X3, Skorpio X4, Skorpio X40/X45, Skorpio X5.
- PowerScan 9100
- PowerScan 9500
- PowerScan 9600
- Matrix 120
- Matrix 220
- Matrix 320
- Falcon X4
- Falcon X60 / X65
- Memor X3
- Skorpio X3
- Skorpio X4
- Skorpio X40/X45
- Skorpio X5
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Honeywell Honeywell scanner and mobile computer troubleshooting
Handheld scanners: Granit 1920i, Granit 1980i / 1981i, Granit Ultra 2100i / 2105i, Granit XP 1990i / 1991i; fixed-mount scanners: HF800; mobile computers: CK3R and CK3X, CK62, CK65, CK67, CK75, ScanPal EDA61K.
- Granit 1920i
- Granit 1980i / 1981i
- Granit Ultra 2100i / 2105i
- Granit XP 1990i / 1991i
- HF800
- CK3R and CK3X
- CK62
- CK65
- CK67
- CK75
- ScanPal EDA61K
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Unitech Unitech scanner and mobile computer troubleshooting
Handheld scanners: MS852B; mobile computers: HT380, HT730.
All Unitech troubleshooting guides -
CipherLab CipherLab mobile computer troubleshooting
Mobile computers: RK25, RK26, RK95.
All CipherLab troubleshooting guides
Troubleshooting guides by model
One guide per scanner or mobile computer in the TIMCOD catalogue: a table of beeps, lights and messages, then one entry per fault with the cause, the steps and when a technician is needed.
Handheld scanners (scan guns) 9 models
Corded, or cordless with their base: scanning, data transmission, link with the base and battery.
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Handheld scanner
Zebra DS3600
- 4 long low beeps
- Low/high beeps
- Scanner not paired with the cradle
-
Handheld scanner
Datalogic PowerScan 9100
- 6 high beeps
- Previous barcode sent
- Red Reader light on the base
-
Handheld scanner
Datalogic PowerScan 9500
- Long tone at power-up
- 3 low beeps
- Reader light flashing orange
-
Handheld scanner
Datalogic PowerScan 9600
- 4 long beeps
- Light flashing (100 ms / 900 ms)
- Base light bars flashing orange
-
Handheld scanner
Honeywell Granit 1920i
- DPM mark not read
- Incorrect characters (AZERTY)
- No COM port (USB Serial)
-
Handheld scanner
Honeywell Granit 1980i / 1981i
- 3 beeps (1981i)
- Flashing green light on the base
- Long-distance laser scanning
-
Handheld scanner
Honeywell Granit Ultra 2100i / 2105i
- 3 beeps when scanning
- Status light flashing red
- Battery light flashing red
-
Handheld scanner
Honeywell Granit XP 1990i / 1991i
- 3 beeps when scanning
- Green base light flashing
- Incorrect characters (AZERTY)
-
Handheld scanner
Unitech MS852B
- Solid green light
- 3 beeps at power-on
- Fast blue flashing
Fixed-mount scanners 7 models
Conveyor and fixed-station scanners: triggering, focus, network and software configuration.
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Fixed-mount scanner
Zebra FS10
- 2 low tones (job error)
- Red Power light
- Missing from Aurora Focus
-
Fixed-mount scanner
Zebra FS20
- Power light flashing green (limited PoE)
- 2 low tones (job error)
- Not found in Aurora Focus
-
Fixed-mount scanner
Zebra FS40 / FS70
- 360° ring red (read failure)
- 2 low tones, red Warning light
- Power light amber (limited power)
-
Fixed-mount scanner
Datalogic Matrix 120
- STATUS and READY flash together
- 1 long low beep
- Red STATUS light (NO READ)
-
Fixed-mount scanner
Datalogic Matrix 220
- Red spot (No Read)
- STATUS and READY flash together
- 1 long low beep
-
Fixed-mount scanner
Datalogic Matrix 320
- Red 360° feedback
- Red STATUS light (NO READ)
- Blurred image (focusing)
-
Fixed-mount scanner
Honeywell HF800
- No scanning in low light
- Barcode outside the scanning range
- No data over Ethernet
Mobile computers 30 models
Rugged Android or Windows mobile computers: battery, Wi-Fi, scanning application and reset.
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Mobile computer
Zebra MC3200
- Orange light flashing rapidly
- Scanner not reading
- Windows CE cold boot
-
Mobile computer
Zebra MC3300
- Orange flashing slowly
- Red light
- Does not read QR codes
-
Mobile computer
Zebra MC3300ax
- Flashing red light
- Battery notification
- BLE beacon
-
Mobile computer
Zebra MC3300x
- Flashing red light
- Incorrect battery message
- No longer reads barcodes
-
Mobile computer
Zebra MC3400
- Flashing red light
- Scanner not reading
- Battery no longer charging
-
Mobile computer
Zebra MC9190-G
- Amber flashing fast
- Wi-Fi off at start-up (Windows CE 6.0)
- Cold boot
-
Mobile computer
Zebra MC9200
- Amber flashing fast
- Safe Battery Swap
- Cold boot
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Mobile computer
Zebra MC9300
- Light flashing, mobile computer off
- Flashing red light
- Laser not coming on
-
Mobile computer
Zebra MC9400
- Flashing red light
- Condensation in cold storage
- The scanner does not scan
-
Mobile computer
Zebra TC22R
- Fast flashing orange
- Red light (battery at end of life)
- Upper RFID trigger
-
Mobile computer
Zebra TC8000
- Flashing red light
- Solid red while charging
- Hard reset
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Mobile computer
Zebra TC8300
- Flashing red light
- Red Wear in Battery Manager
- Hot Swap
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Mobile computer
Datalogic Falcon X4
- Battery disconnected at the factory
- Clean boot
- Factory Reset (Recovery)
-
Mobile computer
Datalogic Falcon X60 / X65
- No beep and no Green Spot
- Empty field after scanning
- Dock Status: Error
-
Mobile computer
Datalogic Memor X3
- Right light flashing red
- Clean boot
- Locked keypad
-
Mobile computer
Datalogic Skorpio X3
- Flashing red charging light
- Clean boot
- Cold boot
-
Mobile computer
Datalogic Skorpio X4
- Flashing red charging light
- Hard reset
- Recovery mode
-
Mobile computer
Datalogic Skorpio X40/X45
- No Green Spot
- Dock Status: Error
- No 5G on the X40
-
Mobile computer
Datalogic Skorpio X5
- Flashing red charging light
- Battery lights flashing red
- Battery Swap mode
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Mobile computer
Honeywell CK3R and CK3X
- Amber battery light
- Flashing blue light
- Good Read flashing red
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Mobile computer
Honeywell CK62
- Red cradle light
- 5-hour charge
- Battery swap in 30 seconds
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Mobile computer
Honeywell CK65
- Battery light flashing red
- Red scan light
- Swap Battery
-
Mobile computer
Honeywell CK67
- Red cradle light
- Battery swap in 60 seconds
- 3-hour charge
-
Mobile computer
Honeywell CK75
- Frozen screen: Power 8 s
- Battery Swap
- USB charging only
-
Mobile computer
Honeywell ScanPal EDA61K
- Battery light flashing amber
- Red scan light
- Erase all data (factory reset)
-
Mobile computer
Unitech HT380
- Red scan light
- Will not switch on
- Recovery menu
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Mobile computer
Unitech HT730
- Flashing red light
- Frozen mobile computer
- Scanner not reading
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Mobile computer
CipherLab RK25
- Flashing red light
- Low Sub Battery
- Over Battery Temperature
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Mobile computer
CipherLab RK26
- LED 1 flashing red
- Low Sub Battery
- Try Again
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Mobile computer
CipherLab RK95
- LED 1 flashing red
- Recovery mode
- Standard Battery
What do the beeps and lights on my scanner mean?
Beeps and lights do not mean the same thing from one brand to another. This table brings together the situations documented for several brands, with the signals noted in the guides and a link to the entry for each model.
| Situation | Signal by brand | Cause and first action | Documented models |
|---|---|---|---|
| The barcode is not decoded |
| Symbology not enabled, unsuitable distance or angle, damaged barcode or dirty scan window. Test a barcode in good condition, enable the symbology, adjust the distance, clean the window. | |
| The barcode is read, but nothing reaches the application |
| Programmed interface that does not match the connection, broken link, or keyboard input (wedge) disabled on a mobile computer. Check the interface, the link, then the scanning profile. | |
| Wrong characters (AZERTY keyboard) | No error signal: the data arrives, but it is wrong. | Scanner keyboard country set to the United States while the host computer uses AZERTY, or a character added to the data. Program the keyboard country “France”, check prefix and suffix. | |
| Cordless scanner not linked to its base |
| Scanner not paired or linked to another base, base not powered or not properly connected to the host computer. Check the base, then pair again following the model's guide. | |
| Link lost, scanner out of range |
| Scanner too far from its base or from the Bluetooth device. Move the scanner closer; if the link does not come back, pair again. | Datalogic Unitech |
| Low battery or battery not charging |
| Temperature outside the charging range, battery at the end of its life or not approved, cradle or power supply at fault. Charge within the temperature range given in the guide, with approved equipment, then test another battery. | |
| Programming barcode or reset |
| Signal that a programming barcode has been accepted or rejected, or return to factory settings. Follow the procedure in the model's guide; note your settings before any reset. | |
| Memory full or stored scans |
| Mobile computer memory full (files, applications), or scans stored in batch mode. Free up space, or send the stored scans following the model's guide. | |
| Mobile computer: Wi-Fi connection |
| Band or security not supported, unsuitable roaming, Wi-Fi power saving, captive portal. Compare access points and data sheet, test another network, adjust roaming. | |
| Mobile computer: will not start or stays frozen |
| Battery too deeply discharged, or system locked up. Charge for several hours, then perform the forced restart described in the model's guide. |
Watch the number of beeps: three beeps when scanning indicate a handheld scanner not linked to its base on cordless Honeywell Granit models, but three beeps at power-on indicate Batch mode on the Unitech MS852B. Always check the table for your model.
No clear signal? Start from the symptom
The most documented symptoms, across all brands. Each article details the causes, the checks in order and the entry for each model.
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Why has my barcode scanner stopped reading barcodes?
In the manufacturers' documentation, three causes keep coming up: the barcode type (symbology) is not enabled, the reading distance or angle is not right, or the scan window is dirty. Test first with a barcode of the same type in good condition.
Read the full guide -
Why is my barcode scanner sending the wrong characters?
In keyboard emulation, many scanners leave the factory set to the American (US) keyboard. On an AZERTY host computer, digits turn into accented letters or symbols: program the keyboard country “France” on the scanner.
Read the full guide -
Why does my scanner beep but nothing appears?
The barcode is read, but the data does not reach the application: interface programmed incorrectly (USB keyboard or virtual serial port), link with the base broken, or, on a mobile computer, keyboard input (wedge) disabled.
Read the full guide -
What do the error beeps and red light on my scanner mean?
Each manufacturer has its own signals: four long low beeps indicate a transmission error on a Zebra DS3600, three beeps when scanning indicate a cordless Honeywell Granit handheld scanner that is not linked to its base. Note the exact signal, then check the table for your model.
Read the full guide -
Why is my cordless scanner no longer communicating with its base?
The scanner is not paired, or no longer paired, with its base, the base is not powered or not connected to the host computer, or the scanner is out of range. Depending on the model, you pair it again by placing the scanner on its base or by scanning the base's pairing barcode.
Read the full guide -
Why is the battery in my scanner or mobile computer not charging?
Manufacturers first cite a temperature outside the charging range (most often 0 to 40 °C or 0 to 45 °C, but 0 to 35 °C or 5 to 35 °C on some models), then a battery at the end of its life or not approved, or a faulty cradle or power supply. The charging light often shows which case applies.
Read the full guide -
How do I reset a barcode scanner or mobile computer?
A handheld scanner returns to its factory settings when you scan the reset barcode in its guide; a mobile computer is reset from its settings or its recovery menu. A factory reset of a mobile computer erases its data.
Read the full guide -
Why has the scanner on my mobile computer stopped reading?
On a mobile computer, scanning goes through a manufacturer application (DataWedge on Zebra, ReaderConfig on CipherLab, Datalogic Settings…): a disabled scanner or a symbology that is not enabled explains many cases. Test in the manufacturer's test application.
Read the full guide -
Why is my mobile computer losing Wi-Fi?
The guides cite bands or security that the mobile computer does not support, unsuitable roaming settings, Wi-Fi power saving mode and captive portal detection. First compare your access points with the mobile computer's data sheet.
Read the full guide -
Why won't my mobile computer turn on?
The most documented case is a battery that is too deeply discharged: several mobile computers refuse to start until it has recharged enough. Leave the mobile computer on its cradle for several hours; if it stays frozen, a forced restart specific to the model brings it back.
Read the full guide
Diagnose a scanner fault in four questions
Answer these four questions to narrow down the fault before opening the guide for your model.
- Does the scanner respond when you press the trigger?No beam, no light, no beep: start with the battery, the base or the power supply (battery not charging, mobile computer that will not start).
- Is the barcode decoded?No good-read beep: see the scanner no longer reads barcodes or, on a mobile computer, the mobile computer's scanner no longer reads.
- Does the data arrive, and correctly?Nothing arrives: interface or link. Wrong characters: keyboard country.
- Is there an error signal?Note the number of beeps and the colour of the light, then look them up in the signal table and in the lookup table for your model.
What are the most common faults?
Breakdown of the 1042 documented problems by category across the 46 models. Battery and charging (188) and connection (174) come first.
When should you call in a technician?
The guides first suggest an adjustment, a recharge or a reset. In the following cases, the documentation refers you to support or a technician:
- Hardware failure reported by the scanner: ROM failure (Datalogic PowerScan 9100, 9500 and 9600) or failed self-test (PowerScan 9500), with no fix you can make yourself.
- Battery, cradle or charger still faulty after the temperature, power supply and contact checks in the guide.
- Mobile computer that will not restart after a full charge and a forced restart.
- Model at end of support: for several older mobile computers, the manufacturer no longer provides support; the guide for the model concerned says so.
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Barcode scanner faults: frequently asked questions
Why has my barcode scanner stopped reading barcodes?
The manufacturers' documentation first cites a symbology that is not enabled, an unsuitable reading distance or angle, a damaged barcode and a dirty scan window. Test with a barcode of the same type in good condition, then check that the symbology is enabled in the scanner's settings. Read the full article.
Why does my handheld scanner send accented letters instead of digits?
The scanner is set to an American keyboard (QWERTY) while the host computer uses AZERTY: many scanners leave the factory with the country set to US. Program the keyboard country “France” with the programming barcode in your scanner's guide. Read the full article.
What do three beeps mean on a barcode scanner?
It depends on the brand: on cordless Honeywell Granit scanners, three beeps when scanning a barcode indicate a handheld scanner not linked to its base; on the Unitech MS852B, three beeps at power-on indicate Batch mode. Check the lookup table for your model. See the signal table.
How do I reset a barcode scanner?
Scan the reset barcode in your model's guide, for example “RETURN TO FACTORY DEFAULTS” on a Zebra DS3600 or “Factory Default” on a Unitech MS852B. Then reprogram the interface and the keyboard country if your host computer does not use the default ones. Read the full article.
Why is my mobile computer battery not charging?
The most frequently cited cause is a temperature outside the charging range, for example 0 to 45 °C for the CipherLab RK25 and RK26. Then check the cradle, its power supply and its contacts, then try another battery. Read the full article.
What should I do when a mobile computer will not turn on?
Leave it on charge for several hours: several mobile computers, such as the Datalogic Memor X3 and Skorpio X3, refuse to start until the battery is sufficiently charged. If it turns on but stays frozen, perform the forced restart described in its guide. Read the full article.
What is the difference between a barcode scanner and a mobile computer?
A barcode scanner, handheld or fixed-mount, reads barcodes and sends the data to a host computer or a PLC. A mobile computer is a rugged computer, running Android or Windows, with a built-in scan engine, a display and Wi-Fi: its faults also affect the battery, the network and the operating system.
How these guides are built
The 46 guides cover the barcode scanners and mobile computers on the industrial scanners page of the TIMCOD catalogue (as listed on 20 October 2026). For each model, the team listed the faults described by the manufacturer: reference guides, user guides and knowledge bases, in their French, European or US versions.
In total: 1042 problems, based on 486 pages of official manufacturer documentation. Only official documentation is used: a problem it does not describe is not published.
Do your scanners and mobile computers break down too often?
During a preventive visit, your scanners and mobile computers are checked and cleaned one by one, minor faults are fixed and you receive a report; removable batteries are replaced every 18 to 24 months.
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