POS downtime checklist (print this)

Before an outage

• Confirm whether your POS supports offline card payments and the limits on them (time window, per-transaction cap, whether declines are your risk). Vendor limits (as of Oct 2026):
  • Square: offline payments must be uploaded within 72 hours, or they expire; Square recommends within 24 hours. Readers paired with a phone or tablet can take offline payments for 24 hours per session. Per-transaction cap is configurable ($1–$50,000). Not supported offline: manually entered cards, Tap to Pay, Square Gift Cards, Afterpay, Cash App Pay, EBT/SNAP. You're responsible for declines. (Square)
  • Toast: "background" card processing stores payments on the device for later authorization, with an optional transaction limit above which a manager must approve. Toast recommends going back online within three days, preferably 24 hours. You're responsible for declines. (Toast platform guide, Toast support)
  • Clover: offline payments for up to 7 days per device, with optional per-payment and total limits. Not available for EBT or gift cards. You accept the risk of declines. (Clover help)
• Label the modem, router, and backup device. Write down the ISP support number and account number.
• Test failover monthly: unplug the main line and run a test transaction.
• Keep a cash float and a manual receipt pad.
• Put networking gear on a UPS (battery backup).

During an outage

• Check whether the backup has taken over (router status light or app).
• If not, enable POS offline mode and tell staff the limits.
• Put up a "cash preferred" sign if offline card limits apply.
• Log the start time, for ISP credits and your outage records.

After

• Confirm all offline transactions uploaded, and check for declines.
• Record how long the outage lasted in your calculator inputs.
• Ask your ISP for an outage credit.