Written by Jason Feemster, POS specialist with 15+ years of experience helping restaurants and retailers troubleshoot POS systems, payments, and hardware issues.
Common Issue: MICROS workstation cannot connect to the server or back-of-house system, leading to communication errors or offline mode.
Fast Fixes: Restart the workstation, reboot BOH server, verify network cables, check IP settings, restart services, and confirm database communication.
Need official help? See our MICROS POS Support Guide
Want guided troubleshooting? Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant (Free).
MICROS workstation not connecting to the server? This usually happens when the terminal can’t communicate with the BOH (back-of-house) machine, database, or network. It’s common on MICROS Workstation 4, 5, and 6 terminals—especially in busy restaurant environments.
Below is a fast, practical guide to get your MICROS terminal reconnected so your staff can get back to taking orders.
Table of Contents
Common Reasons MICROS Workstations Stop Connecting to the Server
- Network switch, router, or BOH server rebooted or froze
- Incorrect or lost IP address on the workstation
- Faulty Ethernet cable or unplugged network connection
- Database or CAL service stopped running on the server
- Firewall blocking communication between workstation and BOH
- Corrupted configuration after a power outage or update
How to Fix MICROS Workstation Not Connecting to the Server
1. Restart the MICROS Workstation
Most connection issues clear after a full restart because it resets network adapters and relaunches the MICROS client software.
- Power off the workstation from the shutdown menu
- Wait 10–15 seconds
- Turn it back on and check if it reconnects automatically
Reboots help clear memory leaks common in older MICROS terminals and may fix minor communication failures.
2. Restart the BOH Server or CAL Service
The BOH server controls communication, menu data, and database access. If it’s frozen or the CAL service has stopped, workstations will fail to connect.
- Log in to the BOH server
- Open Windows Services
- Restart the “MICROS CAL” and “MICROS Database” services
- If needed, reboot the entire BOH server
If the database services repeatedly stop, consider creating a backup—this can indicate an aging or overloaded system.
3. Check Ethernet Cables and Network Hardware
A loose or damaged cable can instantly break MICROS communication. This is extremely common in restaurants where cables get moved, pulled, or exposed to heat.
- Verify both ends of the Ethernet cable
- Check the switch port for link lights
- Try a different port on the switch
- Replace the cable if lights don’t activate
Hardware checks fix many “No Comms” situations without touching software.
4. Confirm the Workstation IP Address
If the terminal’s IP changed or was wiped during a reboot, it won’t be able to reach the server.
- Open the network settings panel
- Confirm the terminal’s static IP matches your MICROS config
- Ping the BOH server’s IP address
Inconsistent IP addresses are especially common on older Workstation 4/5 models after power outages.
5. Restart the Network Switch or Router
If multiple terminals suddenly can’t connect, it may be a network hardware issue rather than a workstation problem.
- Restart your router or main network switch
- Check whether other devices have network access
- Confirm the BOH server is reachable from another workstation
Network reboots often restore communication after brief outages or heavy traffic spikes.
6. Disable or Reconfigure Firewall Settings
A Windows firewall or antivirus firewall may be blocking the MICROS ports used for server communication.
- Open firewall settings on the BOH server
- Ensure MICROS ports are allowed
- Temporarily disable the firewall to test connectivity
Only disable security features for testing—restore them afterward to avoid vulnerabilities.
7. Verify Database Health
If the MICROS database is corrupt, full, or fragmented, terminals may fail to connect entirely.
- Check database logs for errors
- Free up disk space on the BOH server
- Restart database services
Menu updates failing to sync or repeated crashes usually mean the database needs maintenance.
When to Contact MICROS Support
- Workstations fail to connect even after network resets
- Database services crash repeatedly
- The BOH server will not boot
- You’re seeing error messages related to CAL, SQL, or database corruption
👉 CONTACT MICROS SUPPORT – Phone & Online Customer Service
MICROS Workstation Not Connecting – FAQs
Why does my MICROS workstation say it cannot connect to the server?
Can a bad Ethernet cable cause MICROS connection issues?
Does MICROS require static IP addresses?
What if none of the workstations are connecting?
Try the POSUSA POS Support Assistant
Need step-by-step help fixing MICROS workstation connection issues?
- POSUSA POS Support Assistant
- Select MICROS
- Type: “workstation not connecting”
- Follow the guided troubleshooting flow
It’s fast, free, and built for real restaurant environments.
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
