Tech Tip of the Day: Self-Checkout Troubles? Here’s How to Help Yourself

We’ve all been there—standing at the grocery store self-checkout while the machine beeps, freezes, or flashes a red warning. Whether it’s a misread barcode or a “please wait for assistance” moment, self-checkouts can feel more frustrating than fast.

Here’s how to troubleshoot the most common issues yourself (before the store clerk even gets there):

🧾 1. “Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area”

What it means: The machine thinks you added or removed something without scanning.

Fix it:

• Don’t touch the bag area until the screen tells you to.

• If you did move something, calmly remove your last item, wait, then scan it again.

• Lightly placing items without leaning on the bagging scale helps avoid false triggers.

🛒 2. Barcode Won’t Scan?

Fix it:

• Rotate the item slowly — the scanner might just be picky about the angle.

• Wipe off any condensation, dirt, or crumpled labels.

• Use the on-screen “Look Up Item” option for produce or hard-to-scan items.

⚠️ 3. “Please Wait for Assistance”

Don’t panic: This is usually triggered by:

• Buying restricted items (alcohol, medicine, etc.)

• Skipping the bagging area

• Scanning the same item too quickly

• An accidental double-scan

Take a deep breath and wait for the clerk — or press “Call for Help” on the screen if available.

💡 Pro Tip:

Pay attention to screen prompts. Most errors come from going too fast or missing a small instruction. It’s easy to rush—but even machines need a second to catch up.

🐾 Tech Isn’t Just for Your Home Office

Even everyday tech like self-checkout kiosks can glitch. Knowing what to do helps you stay calm, save time, and maybe even help the person behind you, too.