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 POS slows down, freezes between orders, or delays transactions during peak hours.
Fast Fixes: Restart terminals, check BOH performance, verify LAN stability, clear memory issues.
Need guided help? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
Aloha POS running slow? Screens lag when selecting items, payments delay, or terminals freeze during rush periods. This can disrupt service and lead to order mistakes.
This guide helps you fix lag fast and prevent future slowdowns.
Table of Contents
Why Aloha Gets Laggy or Freezes
- BOH server overloaded (CPU/RAM maxed out)
- Terminals running too long without restart
- Network bottlenecks or packet drops
- Large menu changes not fully synced
- Hardware aging — outdated terminals
- Too many apps/services running in background
How to Speed Up Aloha POS
1. Restart Terminals Daily
Clears memory leaks and reloads menu + configuration files.
- Shutdown during off-hours
- Wait 10 seconds
- Restart before shift
If speed improves temporarily → memory/resource issue.
2. Check BOH Server Performance
Aloha relies heavily on BOH — slow server = slow POS.
- Check Task Manager for CPU spikes
- Ensure drive has at least 20% free space
- Restart BOH services if overload persists
If multiple terminals lag at once → BOH bottleneck.
3. Test Network Connectivity
Dropped packets = laggy tickets & delayed payments.
- Check Ethernet/switch lights
- Ping BOH from terminals
- Replace failing cables/switch ports
Wireless should be avoided for terminals — use wired where possible.
4. Verify Menu & Price Sync
Partially synced updates can stall UI responsiveness.
- Resync menu updates via BOH
- Restart terminals after menu changes
Large new menus without reboot = major lag.
5. Check for Failing Hardware
Old terminals & failing disks slow Aloha significantly.
- Check terminal age (5+ years = replace soon)
- Listen for loud fan/hard drive noise
If a specific terminal always lags → hardware upgrade needed.
When to Contact Aloha Support
- All terminals slow even after reboot
- BOH crashes frequently
- Network failure suspected but unconfirmed
- Performance issues worsen during busy hours
Aloha Performance – FAQs
Why is Aloha slower during weekends?
Does old hardware make Aloha lag?
Can network interference cause freezing?
Should terminals reboot nightly?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
Need help speeding up slow Aloha terminals?
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select Aloha
- Search: “POS slow”
- Follow the guided fixes
Your POS should be fast — especially during the dinner rush.
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
