POS Terminals Error Code
Systems & Devices
POS Terminals
TIMEOUT | Request timed out
Industry
Systems & Devices
Canonical
/systems/pos-terminals/error-codes/timeout/
Last Updated
Feb 27, 2026
Summary
The terminal did not receive a response within the allowed time window.
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What This Code Means
A “TIMEOUT” prompt indicates the terminal did not receive a response in time. Because timeouts can occur after a request is submitted, the safest next step is to confirm the final transaction state in the processor record before retrying.
Where Users Usually See This Code
- Card-present checkout prompts
- Settlement and batch close operations
- Terminal pairing and configuration screens
- During terminal software or key updates
Why This Code Appears
- A payment decision was returned by the issuer/processor
- Connectivity prevented reaching the host
- Device configuration or keys were incomplete
- A local device state blocked completion (paper out, update required)
What Typically Happens Next
- The terminal displays a prompt and aborts the flow
- The POS may ask to retry or use a different method
- Final status must be confirmed in the processor record
What This Code Is Not
- It is not always a decline
- It is not safe to re-run a card without checking for duplicates
Troubleshooting Checklist
- □ Determine whether the message is a decline or a technical failure
- □ Confirm connectivity (Ethernet/Wi‑Fi/cellular) and signal quality
- □ Check for required updates or key loading status
- □ Confirm batch/settlement state if the error appears at close
- □ Verify merchant configuration identifiers (TID/MID) if shown
- □ Escalate with logs/receipts to the terminal vendor or processor
Notes And Edge Cases
Terminal prompts vary by device and processor; the most reliable source of truth is the processor’s final record.
Related Codes
8 links
- REVERSAL CodeReversal required
- DECLINED CodeIssuer declined
- INVALID TID CodeTerminal ID invalid
- BATCH NOT CLOSED CodeSettlement pending
- COMMUNICATION ERROR CodeHost communication failed
- DUPLICATE CodeDuplicate transaction
- KEYS NOT LOADED CodeEncryption keys missing
- CALL ISSUER CodeIssuer contact required
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