The 1128 Bluetooth UHF RFID Reader reports its condition through indicator lights on the top of the device. When a scan will not start, these lights identify the cause before any troubleshooting is done in the app. For setup instructions, see Connecting RFID Device.
When the Scanner Connects but Does Not Scan
The most common reported symptom is a scanner that appears fully connected but does not respond when scanning begins. In this state the app shows the scanner as available, the reader shows a steady blue light, and pressing Start Scan produces no beep and no reads.
This is almost always a power condition, not an app or connection fault. Bluetooth requires very little power and remains connected long after the battery is too low to operate the UHF scan radio. The reader therefore continues to report itself as connected while being unable to read a single tag.
Troubleshooting Steps
Check the indicator lights before taking any other action. Note the color, whether it is steady or flashing, and approximately how fast. Match the observation against the reference table below.
Test a single scan on the Serial Item Finder page. If a tag reads there, the reader is functioning and the issue is specific to the order screen. If it does not read, the issue is with the reader.
Charge the reader for ten minutes and retry. Use the supplied 5V 2A USB charger.
Reset the connection. Force close the Rentopian RFID app, turn Bluetooth off and back on on the Android device, reopen the app, and reconnect the scanner.
Indicator Light Reference
Light | Pattern | Meaning |
| Blue, constant | Awake and connected to the Android device. This confirms the Bluetooth connection only. It does not indicate that the reader has sufficient power to scan. |
| Blue, slow flash | Awake but not connected. Reconnect the scanner from the Scanners tab of the Rentopian RFID app. |
| Green, short flash | A tag or barcode was read successfully. This should occur repeatedly while scanning. |
| Green, slow flash | Antenna error. The reader remains connected and appears normal in the app but cannot read tags. Power the device down, reseat the antenna, and restart. |
| Orange, slow flash | Battery below 10 percent. Charge immediately. This is the condition most often reported as a broken scanner. Bluetooth remains connected, the app appears ready, and no tags are read. |
| Orange, rapid flash | Charge error or battery fault. This indicates a hardware condition rather than a low charge. Report the device for service or replacement. |
| Orange, single short flash | Charging. Below 33 percent. |
| Orange, double short flash | Charging. Up to 66 percent. |
| Orange, triple short flash | Charging. Above 66 percent. |
| Orange, constant | Fully charged and still connected to the charger. |
| No lights lit | Powered down and not charging. Wake the device or connect the charger. |
Key combination to watch for: a steady blue light together with a slow orange flash indicates the reader is connected but has insufficient battery to scan. The app will appear normal and no tags will read. Charging is the only resolution.
Preventing Battery-Related Scan Failures
A full day of scanning will deplete the battery, and the low-battery warning appears only in the final 10 percent of capacity. This commonly occurs mid to late afternoon.
Return the reader to its charger during breaks in the day rather than charging it only overnight.
Keep a second charged reader available on days with late pickups or high scan volume.
Charge the reader fully before first use. Devices ship at under 30 percent capacity.
Information to Provide When Reporting the Issue
The indicator light color, whether it was steady or flashing, and approximately how fast.
Whether a tag read successfully on the Serial Item Finder page.
The time of day, and when the reader was last charged.
The order number being scanned against.
Indicator light codes are sourced from the manufacturer documentation: TSL 1128 Bluetooth UHF RFID Reader User Guide (V1.24) and 1128 Quick Start Guide (V1.01), Technology Solutions (UK) Ltd.