FBR Invoice Not Sending? What to Do When the Internet or the FBR Service Is Down
Why an FBR POS invoice fails to send and how to fix it: FBR service down, wrong PoS ID, missing tax code, lost answers. Never block a sale.
It will happen on a busy Saturday: the customer is waiting, the invoice will not go to FBR, and the cashier freezes. The right answer is the same every time: finish the sale, then fix the sending. This guide lists the usual causes in the order to check them, and the one mistake to avoid, which is sending twice.
Key takeaways
- A good POS saves and accounts the sale first; reporting to FBR is a separate step that can be retried.
- Check the common causes in order: FBR service, internet, PoS ID, tax codes.
- If an answer was lost, do not resend blindly: the FBR software can issue a second number for a repeated send.
- The register's “needs attention” list shows every invoice still to send, with the reason.
The golden rule: never block the sale
A customer should never wait because a government service is slow. In PaakiShop the invoice is saved and posted to stock and accounts before anything goes to FBR. If sending fails, the invoice is marked not sent with the reason, and you try again when the problem is fixed. Nothing is lost and the books are not affected. For the full flow see what is an FBR digital invoice.
Common causes and fixes
| What you see | Likely cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| “The FBR IMS software is not reachable on this PC” | FBR's local service is stopped, or this is not the counter PC that has it | Start the FBR service on this PC (or use the counter PC that has it), then press Try again. |
| Sending takes a long time, then fails | Internet or FBR side is slow or down | Finish the sale. Retry in a few minutes; keep selling. |
| Blocked: PoS ID missing or invalid | PoS ID not set, not numeric, or the shop has none | Fix it in FBR Setup, or add the shop and its PoS ID. |
| Blocked: a product has no PCT/HS code | No tax code on the product and no default | Set the product code or a default in FBR Setup. |
| “The number does not belong to POS …” | This PC runs FBR software registered to another PoS ID | Install and register the FBR software for the right PoS ID on this PC. |
| Blocked: total does not add up / no items | An empty or zero-value invoice | Correct the invoice, then send. |
The one thing not to do: send twice
Sometimes FBR accepts an invoice but the answer never reaches the screen, for example if the page is closed or the connection drops at the wrong moment. The FBR software does not check for repeated invoice numbers, so sending again can create a second fiscal number for the same sale.
PaakiShop guards against this. It notes that a send has started, and if no answer is recorded it shows the invoice as Unconfirmed and asks you to check before sending again. A number that did come back is kept safely on the PC until it is saved. Rule of thumb: if the status says Unconfirmed, check with FBR or the FBR software first.
A five-minute end-of-day routine
- Open the FBR registerSet the period to today and the filter to Needs attention.
- Fix what is listedEach row shows why it was not sent: service down, missing code, rejected.
- Send what is pendingOpen the invoice and press Try again. Returns are sent from the sales return page.
- Check the totalsMake sure the number of reported invoices matches the sales you expect.
Credit notes follow the same routine; see how to post a sales return to FBR.
How to prevent most failures
- Set the FBR service to start with Windows, so a restart does not break the counter.
- Finish the setup and sandbox checklist before going live.
- Keep product tax codes complete.
- Train cashiers on one rule: finish the sale, fix the sending after.
Frequently asked questions
What if the internet goes down at the counter?
Keep billing. The sale is saved and the invoice is marked as not sent. Send it to FBR when the connection is back.
Will a failed send affect my stock or accounts?
No. Stock and accounts are posted when the sale is saved. Reporting to FBR only adds a status.
Can I send the same invoice twice?
No. An invoice that already has an FBR number is never sent again. If a send was started but no answer was recorded, check before retrying.
Why does PaakiShop say Unconfirmed?
A send was started but no answer was recorded. It may already have a fiscal number, so check before sending again.
How do I find all unsent invoices?
Open the FBR register and choose Needs attention. It lists unsent and rejected invoices with the reason.
Keep selling, even when FBR is slow
The sale is never blocked, and the register shows what is left to send. Free 3-day trial.
See FBR invoicing in PaakiShopStart free 3-day trialPlease note: this guide explains how FBR POS invoicing and PaakiShop work, in plain language. It is general information, not tax or legal advice. Tax rules and FBR procedures can change, so confirm anything specific to your business with your tax consultant or FBR. PaakiShop integrates with FBR's fiscalization service; it is not an official FBR product.
As the digital landscape globally continues to evolve, the importance of adopting these advanced technologies cannot be overstated. At PaakiShop, we are committed to providing the infrastructure needed for businesses to thrive in this new era.
"The future of retail is not just digital—it is intelligent, autonomous, and deeply personalized."
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to roll out new features designed to make your commerce experience smoother and more profitable.
Written by PaakiShop Team
Specialist in Agentic Commerce and Global retail ecosystems. Passionate about empowering local entrepreneurs through high-performance technology.
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