Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.
Common Issue: Kitchen tickets don’t appear or show up late on the KDS screen in Lightspeed Restaurant.
Fast Fixes: Check Wi-Fi stability, confirm routing settings, restart the KDS tablet, and ensure static IP configuration on network printers or hubs.
Need guided help? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
Kitchen tickets not showing on Lightspeed KDS? Orders may be stuck at the POS or delayed on screen — creating food timing issues and angry customers. This problem is usually caused by poor network communication between the POS iPads and the KDS device.
Use these fast fixes to keep orders flowing smoothly to the kitchen every time.
Table of Contents
Why Lightspeed KDS Tickets Get Delayed or Lost
- Weak or unstable Wi-Fi near the kitchen
- KDS iPad disconnected from the network
- Incorrect routing (wrong kitchen station assignment)
- High network traffic during rush hours
- Outdated KDS app version or iPadOS
How to Fix KDS Ticket Delays
1. Confirm the KDS Is Online
If the KDS loses Wi-Fi, tickets won’t arrive — even if the POS seems fine.
- Check Wi-Fi icon on top of KDS display
- Ensure device is on business Wi-Fi, not guest network
- Restart router if whole kitchen is offline
⚠️ Kitchens often have poor signal — consider a Wi-Fi extender or Ethernet connection.
2. Verify Routing to the Correct Kitchen Station
If tickets route to the wrong KDS, it may look like they disappeared.
- Lightspeed Back Office → Devices → KDS Routing
- Confirm categories are assigned to the correct station
- Send a test ticket to validate station mapping
This is a top cause when only some tickets are missing.
3. Restart KDS App & Device
Freezes or slowdowns build up after hours on the screen.
- Force quit KDS app
- Reopen → check if orders appear instantly
- Restart iPad if delays continue
Rebooting before service can prevent mid-rush crashes.
4. Update App & iPadOS
Stability and ticket routing improvements are often included in updates.
- App Store → Update KDS
- Settings → Software Update → Install
If your KDS is outdated, it may not keep pace with order traffic.
When to Contact Lightspeed Support
- Tickets vanish randomly or appear in wrong order
- Multiple stations receive partial ticket sets
- KDS disconnects multiple times a day
- Long delays even with strong Wi-Fi
Support can check logs and routing behavior to pinpoint deeper issues.
Lightspeed KDS Issues – FAQs
Why does the KDS lag during busy hours?
Why do modifiers disappear on the KDS?
Can Ethernet improve KDS speed?
Does restarting help?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select Lightspeed Restaurant
- Search: “KDS tickets not showing”
Reliable KDS = On-time food and a smoother service.
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
