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Signature Device Failed – What to Do?

If the note "Signatureinrichtung ausgefallen" ("Signature device failed") appears on your receipts or in the status menu of your bessa Kassa, this means that the connection to the signature creation unit (SEE) has been interrupted. Don't worry: you can still continue to take payments, and your transactions are fully recorded in the Datenerfassungsprotokoll (DEP).

At a Glance

What happens?

Your Sales Point cannot currently create a valid signature

Effect on receipts

Each receipt is printed with the note "Signatureinrichtung ausgefallen"

Can you continue taking payments?

Yes, without restriction

Maximum outage time

48 hours (working days), after which a report to the tax office is required

Automatic recovery

bessa Kassa automatically tries to restore the signature with each receipt and Nullbeleg

How Your bessa Kassa Behaves During an Outage

Automatic Notification

  • In the status menu: The Sales Point displays "Signatureinrichtung ausgefallen"

  • For each signing operation: You receive a corresponding notice

  • On every receipt: The legally required note is automatically printed

Automatic Recovery Attempts

bessa Kassa automatically tries to restore the connection to the signature device with every invoice and every Nullbeleg printout. In many cases, the issue resolves itself this way.

After Successful Recovery

As soon as the signature device works again:

  1. bessa Kassa automatically creates a collective receipt (Nullbeleg)

  2. This receipt summarises all receipts created during the outage

  3. The receipt chain is then complete and correct again

Step-by-Step: Troubleshooting

For card/stick signature (hardware solution)

Step 1: Check the physical connection

  • Is the RKSV stick / card reader plugged in?

  • Does the stick light up or blink? (If not → use a different USB port)

  • Is the signature card seated correctly in the reader?

Step 2: Reconnect the stick

  1. Unplug the stick / card reader

  2. Wait 10 seconds

  3. Plug it back in (use a different USB port if needed)

  4. Print a Nullbeleg to verify

Step 3: Restart the system

  1. Shut down the cash register hardware / computer completely

  2. Restart it

  3. Print a Nullbeleg to verify

Possible hardware causes:

  • Stick not plugged in or loose

  • Signature card not inserted correctly

  • Defective USB port (test a different port)

  • Defective stick or card

  • For older cards: certificate may have expired (after about 5 years)

For online HSM signature (cloud solution)

Step 1: Check the internet connection

  • Is the device connected to the internet?

  • Do other internet services work?

  • Restart the router / modem if necessary

Step 2: Print a Nullbeleg Once the internet connection is restored, print a Nullbeleg to verify the signature.

Possible causes:

  • No internet connection or unstable connection

  • Brief outage of the HSM service (A-Trust, Globaltrust, etc.)

  • Certificate expired (after about 5 years) – contact your reseller

Reporting Obligation to the Tax Office

When Is a Report Required?

A report to the tax office is required if the outage lasts longer than 48 hours (counted in working days).

Automatic Report (with FinanzOnline integration enabled)

If you have activated the FinanzOnline integration in bessa Kassa:

  • ✅ The outage report is sent automatically

  • ✅ Resumption of operations is also reported automatically

  • ✅ You don't need to take any action

Manual Report (without FinanzOnline integration)

If FinanzOnline integration is not activated, you must report yourself:

  1. Log in to FinanzOnline

  2. Navigate to: Eingaben → Registrierkassen → Meldung Ausfall/Außerbetriebnahme

  3. Specify: start of the outage, reason for the outage

  4. After resolution: report resumption of operations in the same way

Important: The report must be made within one week after the 48-hour mark expires.

Issue Not Resolved?

If "Signatureinrichtung ausgefallen" is still displayed after all steps:

Possible Causes

  • Hardware defect: card reader, stick or signature card defective

  • Certificate expired: RKSV certificates have a validity of about 5 years

  • Software issue: driver or configuration error

Next Steps

  1. Contact your bessa Kassa reseller Describe the issue and the steps already taken. State whether you use a card/stick solution or online HSM

  2. Have the following information ready: Type of signature device (card/stick or online HSM), since when the outage has been ongoing, error messages (if any), which troubleshooting steps you have already tried

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I continue taking payments while the signature is down?

Yes. You can continue normally. All receipts are stored in the DEP. Receipts are automatically marked with "Signatureinrichtung ausgefallen" – this is compliant with the law.

Will my transactions be lost?

No. All transactions are fully stored in the DEP and, after restoration of the signature, automatically re-signed via a collective receipt.

Do I have to inform the tax office immediately?

No. A report is only required if the outage lasts longer than 48 hours (working days). With FinanzOnline integration enabled, this happens automatically.

How much does a new signature card cost?

Signature cards can be ordered directly from the trust service provider (A-Trust, Globaltrust, PrimeSign) or via your reseller. The cost is usually around €30-50.

The procedure for signature device outages is regulated in § 17 of the Registrierkassensicherheitsverordnung (RKSV):

  • § 17 para. 1 RKSV: Reporting obligation for non-temporary outages

  • § 17 para. 4 RKSV: Note "Sicherheitseinrichtung ausgefallen" on affected receipts

  • BMF decree: Temporary outage = a maximum of 48 hours