Frequently Asked Questions

Scanning

Do I need a special barcode scanner? No. Any scanner that behaves like a keyboard — the great majority of USB and Bluetooth models — works. The console reads whatever the scanner types into the scan box.

Can I scan with my computer's webcam? No. The admin console does not open a camera; it reads keyboard input. Camera scanning belongs to the QuickScan mobile app, not the admin console.

Which barcode formats are supported? Any format your scanner can read. The console never sees the barcode symbology — only the text the scanner produces. What matters is that the text matches a field you have enabled in Scanner Settings.

Can I type a code instead of scanning it? Yes. Type it into the scan box and click Scan, or use the Find Your Product and Find Your Order search screens inside the popup.

Which fields can a barcode match? Product ID, product SKU, WooCommerce's global unique identifier (GTIN, UPC, EAN or ISBN), any custom meta field you nominate, and the product name. For orders: the order ID, and your custom meta field. See Product Scanning.

Can I scan product variations? Yes — scan the variation's own barcode. Variable parent products cannot be scanned into an order because they have no single price or stock level.

Do I have to close the popup between scans? No. Scanning stays active inside the popup as long as the cursor is not in a text field, so you can work through a whole shelf without touching the mouse.

Products and stock

Does the console change stock when I add an item to an order? No. Stock is reduced by WooCommerce when the order is created, in the same way as for a storefront order.

Can I sell an out-of-stock item from the console? No. Out-of-stock products are refused, and quantities are capped at available stock.

Why did a product start tracking stock after I saved it? Saving from the Inventory tab always turns on WooCommerce stock management for that product. Use the standard product editor for items that should not track stock — see Inventory Management.

Can I change the product image from the popup? Yes. Click the thumbnail, choose an image in the media library, then click Save Product.

Orders

Are orders created here real WooCommerce orders? Yes. They appear in WooCommerce → Orders, reduce stock, trigger WooCommerce's usual emails and count in reports.

Does the console take payment? No. The order is created in whatever status you choose; no payment gateway is called. Collect payment however you normally do at the counter.

What status should I use for a counter sale?Processing for a normal sale, Completed for something the customer walks out with, or Pending payment for an order to be paid later.

Can I create an order without a customer account? Yes. Leave the customer field empty and it becomes a guest order. Add a billing email if you want WooCommerce to be able to email the customer.

Where do Picked, Packed and Shipped come from? This extension adds them. They appear immediately after Processing in WooCommerce's status filters, the order edit screen, bulk actions and reports.

Why am I asked for a shipping code? An order cannot become Shipped without a tracking code, so the information is captured while the parcel is in front of you.

Why am I asked "change the status without OTP?" Moving an order from Shipped to Completed normally follows a delivery confirmation from the customer. The prompt is there so an administrator does not close an order accidentally.

Is my cart lost if I close the popup? No. The cart is held in your browser and survives closing the popup and moving between admin pages. It is cleared when the order is created or when you click CLEAR.

Do two staff members share a cart? No. Each browser has its own cart.

Totals and tax

Is the total shown while building an order the final total? It is a live preview. WooCommerce recalculates tax and coupon amounts when the order is saved, and the saved order is authoritative.

Which tax rates does the preview use? Your store's base-location rates, by tax class. If you charge tax by customer address, the preview may differ from the saved order.

Can I apply more than one coupon? Yes, as long as your coupon rules allow it. Each valid code is added as a removable badge.

Where does the shipping cost come from? From your WooCommerce shipping zones, calculated for the billing address you entered — or your store address if billing is empty.

Logs and settings

What is recorded in Activity Logs? Barcode scans that matched, product updates, order updates, order creations and settings changes — each with a timestamp and the user who made it. Failed scans are not recorded.

How many entries are kept? Whatever you set as Log History Limit (10–500, default 100). Older entries are dropped as new ones arrive.

Where are the logs stored? In a protected folder inside your WordPress uploads directory, not in the database. They are not reachable from a browser.

Can I delete log entries? Yes — one at a time, in bulk, or all at once with Clear All Logs. Deletion cannot be undone.

Do mobile app scans appear in Activity Logs? No. QuickScan keeps a separate history, at /scanner/history/ inside the app.

Access and compatibility

Who can use the console? Any user with the Manage WooCommerce capability — administrators and shop managers by default.

Can I give a member of staff scanning access without full WooCommerce access? Not through the console: it is gated on the standard Manage WooCommerce capability and adds no permission screen of its own. The separate Delivery Agent role exists for couriers using the QuickScan app, and is limited to closing shipped orders.

Is it compatible with HPOS? Yes. The extension declares compatibility with WooCommerce High-Performance Order Storage and works with both the legacy and custom order tables.

Why does /scanner/ send me to My account? Those routes are only served to the QuickScan app. Every ordinary browser is redirected — installing the app is what makes them work. See QuickScan Mobile App.

Is there a QuickScan app for iPhone? Yes. QuickScan is on the App Store for iPhone and iPad (iOS 15.0 or later), listed as QuickScan Mobile App by Mobikul, as well as on Google Play for Android. Both apps work the same way against your store.

Do I need a licence? Yes. Every part of the console is refused until a purchase code is activated on Webkul WC Addons → License.