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Shopify POS Outage: Causes, Recent Issues & Alternatives

GeneralPoint of Sale FunctionsPOS AlternativesPOS ComparisonsPOS Reviews
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Taylor J.

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If you’re experiencing frequent Shopify POS outages and looking for a fix, you’re not alone—this is a common challenge many businesses face. Fortunately, users can resolve Shopify POS with specific steps, and we’re here to help. 

In this guide, we’ll discuss the common causes of Shopify POS outages and offer practical solutions and alternatives that might better suit your needs. 

shopify hardware

What Is Shopify POS?

Shopify POS is a point-of-sale system that integrates with Shopify’s e-commerce platform. It allows businesses to manage in-store and online transactions from a single interface and provides features like inventory management, payments, and customer tracking. 

Shopify POS is one solution that helps businesses run more smoothly and work more efficiently. It’s designed to make buying and selling more manageable for the business and its customers.

Common Causes of Shopify POS Outages and Solutions 

Shopify POS outages can happen for various reasons. Reference our chart below for common causes and solutions to resolve them:

Reason for OutageUnderlying IssueSolutionRecovery Level
Network ConnectivityWi-Fi or mobile data issuesCheck Wi-Fi or mobile data strength; reset your routerEasy
Payment Gateway ErrorsConfiguration issues with payment processorVerify payment gateway settings and retry transaction; contact payment processorMedium
Login ProblemsIncorrect login credentials or session timeoutReset login credentials or contact supportEasy
System Update InterruptionsFailed or incomplete system updatesComplete update and/or restart the POS systemMedium
Shopify 502 Bad GatewayShopify’s server experiencing issuesWait for Shopify to resolve the downtimeDifficult
Software BugsApplication bugs causing crashes or freezesRestart the system, reinstall the POS app or contact supportDifficult
Syncing IssuesInventory data or synchronization problemsCheck the internet connection and re-sync manuallyMedium
Hardware MalfunctionsPrinter, barcode scanner, or card read failureCheck connections, replace faulty hardwareMedium
Cash Drawer FailureCash drawer not opening or malfunctioningInspect drawer mechanism and reconnect if neededEasy
Third-Party App ConflictsIntegration issues with third-party appsDisable or update conflicting appsMedium

Recent Shopify POS Outages and Issues

Shopify POS users may occasionally experience outages that impact transactions and system responsiveness. Troubleshooting POS issues is essential, although it can be frustrating. Here are some of the most recent Shopify POS outages and problems reported on StatusGator:

1️⃣ Live chat support having message issues

Shopify users reported disruptions with live chat support, causing communication delays. Customers had difficulty sending or receiving messages, potentially slowing down issue resolution. Shopify worked to resolve the issue promptly, but users may have faced delays in getting assistance.

2️⃣ Users are having issues with UI extensions on POS 9.29

Users reported issues with UI extensions in version 9.29. This problem led to UI elements not displaying or functioning as intended, affecting user interaction and overall experience. Shopify acknowledged the issue and advised users to check for updates or workarounds while they resolved the issue.

3️⃣ Errors when creating UPS labels

Some users experienced errors when attempting to create UPS shipping labels through Shopify. The issue resulted in delayed shipments and frustrated customers. Shopify identified the problem and recommended users retry the process while awaiting a complete fix.

4️⃣ Errors with Admins, Carts, and Checkouts

Shopify users encountered error messages in the Admin, Cart, and Checkout sections. This problem disrupted sales and store management activities. Shopify promptly resolved these issues, and users were advised to check for updates or retry actions to bypass the error while it was being fixed.

How To Identify a Shopify POS Outage

Identifying a Shopify POS outage is essential to minimize disruptions. Look for the following signs:

  • System Slowness: POS becomes unresponsive or slow to process transactions.
  • Error Messages: Frequent error messages during payment processing or checkout.
  • Offline Status: POS is unable to sync with Shopify’s online store.
  • Transaction Failures: Inability to complete sales or process payments.
  • Device Connectivity: Issues connecting to hardware like barcode scanners or printers.

If you notice any of these issues, it could indicate an outage. Contact support or check Shopify’s status page for updates.

How Shopify POS Outages Affect Your Business

Shopify POS outages can cause severe disruptions to your business. When the system goes down, it affects your ability to process sales, manage inventory, and serve customers efficiently. 

Common issues like server downtimes, payment processing failures, and syncing problems between online and offline stores can result in lost sales, frustrated customers, and a tarnished reputation. For instance, recent outages have caused login failures and errors during transaction processing, leading to delays and dissatisfaction.

You can avoid these setbacks with KORONA POS, designed to provide reliable uptime, 24/7 support, and easy integration across all your sales channels, whether you manage a small business or multiple locations. Don’t let Shopify’s inconsistencies hold you back—try KORONA POS today for smoother operations and improved customer satisfaction.

Ready to take your business to the next level?

Boost store performance and improve sales with KORONA POS’s advanced features and tools.

How Long Do Shopify Outages Last?

Shopify outages can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the cause. 

Minor issues, like payment gateway errors or system updates, typically resolve within 30 minutes to an hour. However, more significant disruptions, such as server downtimes or widespread syncing problems, can take several hours to fix. 

Shopify usually works quickly to restore service, but prolonged outages can impact your business operations. An alternative like KORONA POS can provide excellent reliability and minimize downtime for businesses relying on consistent uptime. 

3 Best Alternatives to KORONA POS

Are you searching for an alternative to Shopify POS? Look no further! Here’s a list of the three different types of POS that offer many of the same features and integrations as Shopify POS so that you can choose the POS best suited to your business.

1. KORONA POS

KORONA POS overview

KORONA POS stands out with unmatched 24/7 customer support, affordable pricing, and an intuitive interface tailored to retail and e-commerce. Unlike Shopify, KORONA ensures real-time troubleshooting and expert guidance to minimize downtime.

KORONA POS logo

Pros

  • Advanced customer support
  • Reporting and analytics
  • Choose your credit card processor

Cons

  • Learning curve
  • Not e-commerce-specific

Pricing

Core

$59/mo

  • Various reporting
  • Unlimited users
  • Customizable dashboard

Retail

$69/mo

  • Stock management
  • Barcode automation
  • Price and shelf labels

Adds-on

From $10 to $50/mo

  • KORONA Integration
  • KORONA Plus
  • KORONA Invoicing

Key Features

KORONA POS stands out as a reliable alternative to Shopify with its powerful, easy-to-use features tailored for businesses of all sizes. The system integrates with both retail and e-commerce platforms, giving users tools to facilitate processes across all sales channels.

💡 Key Feature #1: E-commerce Integration

KORONA POS integrates with your e-commerce platform, whether you’re using Shopify, WooCommerce, or others. This integration lets you manage online and offline sales, inventory, and customer data from one unified system.

💡 Key Feature #2: Retail Inventory Management

KORONA’s advanced inventory management system helps you track stock levels, set alerts for low inventory, and manage stock across multiple locations. It reduces the risk of stockouts and overstocking, ensuring you always have what you need on hand.

💡 key feature #3: Cloud-Based POS System

With KORONA POS, all your data is stored in the cloud, giving you access from anywhere, anytime. This feature ensures continuous operation even if your physical store faces technical issues. The cloud system syncs data across all devices and locations in real-time. 

💡 Key Feature #4: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Loyalty Programs

KORONA POS includes integrated CRM and loyalty programs that help you build stronger customer relationships. You can create custom rewards, track customer behavior, and boost retention with targeted offers and promotions.

Pricing

KORONA POS Pricing

Core

$59/mo

  • Full Customer Support
  • Choose your Processor
  • E-Commerce Capabilities

Retail

$59/mo

  • Inventory Counts
  • Stock Management
  • Customer Management

Enterprise

$59/mo

  • Custom solution based on business needs

Where KORONA POS Shines

As one of the best POS systems on the market, switching to KORONA POS from Shopify POS is a wise choice. Our users love us for our:

  • Reliability and uptime: With cloud-based infrastructure, KOORNA POS ensures minimal downtime, offering 99.9% uptime and 24/7 troubleshooting support.
  • Multi-location management: Manage multiple stores or locations easily from a single dashboard. Perfect for growing businesses.
  • Integrations: KORONA POS works with a wide range of hardware, payment systems, and third-party apps, allowing easy integration into your existing setup.

Where KORONA POS Falls Short

If you’re considering buying a POS system, you must know its potential shortfalls. Here’s where our customers say KORONA has room for improvement:

  • Learning curve: While intuitive, KORONA POS can have a slight learning curve for new users, especially those unfamiliar with cloud-based systems.
  • Not e-commerce specific: While KORONA POS offers robust integration features with Shopify and other e-commerce platforms, it’s not a POS system designed explicitly around e-commerce retail operations, like Shopify POS is.

Customer Reviews

The more I learn to use KORONA POS, and with the help of awesome customer support, the more I believe this POS system is a very good fit for so many types of businesses out there. What I love the most about this software is the 24/7 customer service and reporting function which are so easy to use.

-Kevin L.

Who KORONA POS is Best For

  • Small businesses: Ideal for single-store operations looking for an affordable, reliable POS system.
  • Multi-location retailers: Perfect for businesses with multiple stores that need real-time synchronization and centralized management.
  • Service-oriented businesses: Excellent for those in the quick-service, retail, or hospitality industries that need quick transactions and customer loyalty tools.
  • Dispensaries: KORONA POS is an ideal solution for CBD retailers and dispensaries, offering all the tools necessary to navigate regulations and the complexities of the high-risk industry.

Get started with KORONA POS today!

Explore all the features that KORONA POS has to offer with an unlimited trial. There’s no commitment or credit card required.

2. Square POS

SQUARE POS overview

Square POS, created in 2009, offers an affordable Shopify POS alternative for businesses. Due to its user-friendly interface and flexible options, it’s especially popular with startups and smaller companies. However, businesses often outgrow Square’s limited features or complain that customer support is limited.

Square logo

Pros

  • Budget-friendly
  • Flexible payment methods
  • Great integration features

Cons

  • Not ideal for complex and retail businesses
  • Poor customer support
  • Not ideal for businesses with high sales volume
  • Insufficient reporting metrics

Pricing

Square Restaurant

From $0-$153/mo

  • Point of sale app
  • Inventory management
  • Sales reporting

Square Retail

Starts at $0/mo

  • Advanced inventory management
  • Employee management features
  • In-depth sales and customer reports

Square Appointments

From $0 to $69/mo

  • Deposit management for appointments
  • Custom intake forms and questionnaires
  • Waitlist management
  • Advanced reporting and analytics

3. Lightspeed POS

Lightspeed Retail overview

Lightspeed offers advanced inventory management and a user-friendly design for retail and restaurants. However, its pricing can be steep compared to KORONA, which provides similar features at a lower cost.

Lightspeed logo

Pros

  • Centralized employee management 
  • Built-in marketing tools
  • Cloud-based accessibility 

Cons

  • Customer service issues
  • Dependence on internet connection

Lightspeed Retail Pricing

Basic

$89/mo

  • Registers
  • Free training and onboarding resources
  • Dedicated account manager

Core

$149/mo

  • Lightspeed B2B
  • Accounting
  • eCommerce

Plus

$289/mo

  • Omnichannel loyalty
  • Advanced reporting

Avoid Shopify POS Outages and Get 24/7 Troubleshooting Support

To avoid the hassle of Shopify POS outages, consider switching to KORONA POS, which offers reliable performance and 24/7 troubleshooting support. With KORONA, you’ll experience minimal downtime and access to expert assistance whenever needed. 

Don’t let system issues disrupt your business—try KORONA POS today and discover a more dependable solution for your POS needs.

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Written By

Taylor J.

Taylor loves the diversity of topics she gets to cover as a freelancer, and right now, it's all about POS and SEO. When she's not writing, she's probably climbing rocks or reading fiction.