Clover POS in HID Keyboard Mode Works for Simple Scans but Not for Third-Party Apps
Clover POS in HID Keyboard Mode Works for Simple Scans but Not for Third-Party Apps
Question:
A merchant using Clover POS noticed that their handheld barcode scanner worked when scanning simple items into Clover’s built-in Register app but failed to work correctly when used with third-party apps like Variable Price Barcode Parser or Weight Embedded Barcode Parser. Why does this happen, and what can be done to fix it?
Answer:
This issue occurs because Clover POS recognizes some barcode scanners as HID keyboards instead of true barcode scanners. In this keyboard mode, the scanner sends data as if it were typed on a keyboard. While this is enough for simple scans into Clover’s own Register app, it doesn’t work for third-party apps that require direct access to barcode data to process variable prices or weights.
You can confirm that your Clover device is treating your scanner as a keyboard by swiping down from the top of the Clover screen. If you see the message “Finish Configuring Keyboard,” your scanner is operating in HID keyboard mode.
To ensure proper functionality with CSI Works’ apps and other third-party solutions, merchants must use barcode scanners that Clover recognizes as true barcode scanners (not keyboards).
You can find the list of officially supported barcode scanners on Clover’s website here:
Using one of these approved scanners ensures that Clover properly communicates scan data with apps such as:
- Variable Price Barcode Parser
- Weight Embedded Barcode Parser
To better understand the difference between barcode scanners and HID keyboards, watch this short video: