TraCS Barcode Scanner Not Scanning — Troubleshooting Guide

Purpose

This document provides troubleshooting procedures for barcode scanners that activate but do not scan data into TraCS.

These steps help verify:

• Barcode scanner configuration
• G-Manager settings
• COM port functionality
• Barcode hardware operation
• TraCS barcode communication settings

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Issue Summary

Question

When I open TraCS and press the barcode button, the scanner activates or lights up, but no barcode data scans into TraCS. How can this be resolved?

Symptoms

Users may experience:

• Barcode scanner lights up but does not populate data into TraCS
• No scan results appear in forms or fields
• Barcode trigger button appears functional
• Scanner works intermittently
• Scanner hardware appears powered but inactive in TraCS

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Before You Begin

Important

Close TraCS completely before performing troubleshooting steps.

TraCS may lock the barcode COM port while running, preventing diagnostic access.

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Section 1 — Verify G-Manager Barcode Settings

Applies To

Systems purchased with a dedicated TraCS barcode configuration.

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Step 1 — Open G-Manager

Launch the G-Manager application.

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Step 2 — Verify Button Assignment

1. Select Settings
2. Select Buttons
3. Locate the barcode trigger button assignment (commonly P1)

Verify the setting:

• For TraCS-configured systems:

  TraCS

• For standard barcode configurations:

  Barcode Trigger

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Step 3 — Configure Barcode Power Management

1. In G-Manager, select:

   Settings → Misc

2. Locate:

   Barcode Power Management

3. Change the setting to:

   Quick Start

Purpose

This allows the barcode scanner to initialize automatically after login without requiring the barcode button to be pressed first.

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Step 4 — Test the Barcode Trigger

1. Close G-Manager
2. Press the barcode button
3. Confirm the scanner activates

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Step 5 — Retest in TraCS

1. Launch TraCS
2. Attempt to scan a barcode

If scanning still fails, continue to the next section.

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Section 2 — Verify Barcode Hardware Operation

This procedure tests whether the barcode scanner is functioning outside of TraCS.

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Step 1 — Close TraCS

Ensure TraCS is fully closed.

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Step 2 — Determine the Barcode COM Port

1. Open Device Manager

2. Expand:

   Ports (COM & LPT)

3. Locate the barcode scanner COM port
4. Record the assigned COM number

Example:

COM6

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Step 3 — Prepare the PowerShell Test Script

Copy the following script into Notepad:

$port = New-Object System.IO.Ports.SerialPort COM6,9600,None,8,one
$port.Open()
while ($true) {
    if ($port.BytesToRead -gt 0) {
        $data = $port.ReadExisting()
        Write-Host $data
    }
}

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Step 4 — Update the COM Port

Replace:

COM6

with the COM port assigned to your barcode scanner.

Example:

COM4

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Step 5 — Run the Test Script

1. Open PowerShell
2. Paste the script into the PowerShell window
3. Press Enter

If prompted, allow pasting or script execution.

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Step 6 — Test Barcode Scanning

Scan a barcode.

Expected Result

The scanned barcode data should appear in the PowerShell window.

Example:

1234567890

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Interpreting Results

If Barcode Data Appears

This confirms:

• The barcode hardware is functioning
• The COM port is operational
• The scanner can transmit data properly

The issue is likely related to:

• TraCS configuration
• Incorrect COM port assignment in TraCS

Proceed to Section 3.

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If No Barcode Data Appears

Possible causes include:

• Incorrect COM port
• Barcode scanner hardware issue
• Driver problem
• Barcode service conflict
• COM port access issue

Further hardware troubleshooting or service may be required.

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Step 7 — Stop the Scan Session

Press:

Ctrl + C

to stop the continuous scan monitoring session.

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Step 8 — Close the COM Port

In PowerShell, type:

$port.Close()

Press Enter.

This releases the COM port so TraCS can access it again.

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Section 3 — Verify TraCS Configuration

Step 1 — Open TraCS Configuration Manager

Launch:

TraCS Configuration Manager

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Step 2 — Verify Barcode COM Port

Ensure the barcode configuration is set to the same COM port identified in Device Manager.

Example:

COM6

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Step 3 — Retest TraCS

1. Launch TraCS
2. Attempt barcode scanning again

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Additional Troubleshooting Recommendations

If the issue persists:

• Restart the computer
• Reconnect or reseat the barcode hardware if applicable
• Verify barcode scanner drivers are installed correctly
• Confirm no other applications are using the COM port
• Recheck G-Manager settings
• Test with an alternate barcode

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Support Information

If the procedures in this document do not resolve the issue, contact Technical Support for additional assistance.

Support Phone Number

866-394-3822

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Revision History

Version	Date	Description
1.0	May 13, 2026	Initial release