Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.
Common Issue: Aloha terminals offline, not syncing checks, or showing BOH communication errors.
Fast Fixes: Restart terminal, check network cables/switch, verify BOH server online, and restart services.
Want guided troubleshooting? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
Aloha POS offline? You might see terminals unable to send checks to the kitchen, no new menu updates, or transactions stuck in “pending” until the connection restores.
This guide will help you quickly restore connectivity to keep your workflow running smoothly.
Table of Contents
Common Causes of Aloha Offline Issues
- Terminal lost network connection to BOH server
- Switch or router failure
- Aloha services (EDC/F&B) stopped running
- Loose or damaged Ethernet cable
- Power outage or BOH reboot with improper startup
- Firewall or antivirus blocking communication
How to Fix Aloha Offline Problems
1. Restart the Terminal
A quick reboot resets the network stack and reconnects to BOH services.
- Power cycle the terminal
- Wait until login screen returns
- Check if checks/menu updates sync
If only one terminal is offline → it’s likely a local cable or switch issue.
2. Check Ethernet Cables & Switch Lights
Terminals must communicate with BOH over a stable LAN connection.
- Look for green/orange link/activity lights
- Ensure cable is secure on both ends
- Swap cable/port to rule out failures
No link lights = no BOH communication.
3. Confirm BOH Server Is Online
If BOH is offline, all terminals will drop into standalone mode.
- Check server monitor for errors
- Reboot server if frozen/unresponsive
- Wait for services to fully restart
If multiple terminals went offline at the same time → start here.
4. Restart Aloha Services
Aloha uses different services depending on configuration (EDC for payments, BOH apps for sync).
- Restart Aloha EDC payment service
- Restart Aloha BOH application services
- Restart terminals after services are running
Terminals should reconnect automatically once services are healthy.
5. Test Network to BOH Server
Ping test helps identify where communication breaks down.
- From terminal: ping BOH server IP
- If pings fail → network hardware issue
If network path fails, payments and sync will stop immediately.
6. Check for Recent Outages or Changes
Internet provider issues, router swaps, or firewall changes can break routing.
- Ask if anyone made network changes recently
- Check if outages reported by ISP
Network changes frequently break Aloha connectivity.
When to Contact Aloha Support
- All terminals offline with no clear cause
- BOH won’t boot or services won’t restart
- Offline mode lasts more than a few minutes
- Payments or reporting fail repeatedly
Aloha Offline Mode – FAQs
Why is my Aloha terminal offline but others are online?
Why did Aloha go offline after a reboot?
Can Aloha function in offline mode?
Does Aloha need internet to work?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
Want guided steps to bring Aloha back online fast?
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select Aloha
- Search: “offline mode”
- Follow real-time troubleshooting
Quick fixes for busy restaurants — no support hold times needed.
Thinking About Switching POS Systems?
If you’re dealing with repeated POS issues, it might be time to compare more reliable options built for restaurants and retail businesses.
Takes 30 seconds • No sales pressure
