Wired barcode scanners are reliable and very simple to set up, but they keep you tethered to a desk. Fortunately, inFlow Inventory can also work with a variety of 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth scanners.

For a barcode scanner specifically designed for inFlow, consider the inFlow Smart Scanner!

How do I pair my wireless scanner with my PC?

When you buy a wireless scanner, it will likely be one of two types: a 2.4 GHz scanner with a USB adapter or a Bluetooth scanner (which doesn’t require an adapter).

2.4 GHz: If you have a 2.4 GHz scanner, simply plug the adapter into your PC, ensure the scanner is charged, and then start scanning.

Bluetooth: If you’re using a Bluetooth scanner, the pairing process is a little more involved. Your PC must have Bluetooth built-in, and this Microsoft thread can help you check if your computer has Bluetooth available. Before your scanner can be used with your PC, you’ll need to pair it with Windows. The most common pairing methods are holding down a pairing or power button or scanning a special “pairing” barcode. For complete pairing instructions, refer to the manual of your Bluetooth barcode scanner.

Once the scanner is in pairing mode, you’ll need to prompt Windows to connect with the scanner by following the instructions below based on your operating system:

Windows 10

1. Click Start (or press the Windows key on your keyboard), type Bluetooth, and then select Bluetooth settings.
2. Make sure Bluetooth is turned on.
3. Select the Barcode scanner, and then ‘Pair’.

Testing your wireless barcode scanner

Once Windows is paired with the wireless scanner, you can test it by loading a program like Notepad. If you scan a barcode, the text should appear on the screen.

What happens when I’m out of range?

Most wireless scanners can communicate up to 30 feet away from the PC, which is good for scanning within a large room. If your teams need to scan items that are further than 30 feet away, the wireless scanners will temporarily lose connection with the PC. In cases like this, many (but not all) wireless scanners feature a memory module to store the scanned information. You should still hear a beep for every item you scan while out of range, but the beep may sound slightly different from normal.

When your scanner resumes its connection with the PC (as you walk back into the 30-foot range), you will likely hear a lot of beeping sounds coming from the scanner. It will beep once for every instance you trigger the scanner, and inFlow should respond by increasing the count of products on-screen. The important thing to remember is that you have to leave the Purchase/Sales Order/Stock Count/Adjust Stock Screen open in inFlow. Otherwise, inFlow will not properly receive the scanned items.

Do you have any suggested wireless scanners?

Yes! We recommend inFlow’s Rugged Bluetooth Scanner for all of your warehouse scanning needs. You can review the details in this guide.