EFR
Frequently Asked Questions
General
How can I assign an EFR to a location?
An EFR can be assigned to a specific location automatically when a transaction is sent from the POS system with the correct location information.
The assignment is based on the TL (Terminal Location) transmitted within the transaction.
Procedure
Send a Transaction with the Correct TL
- Send a transaction from the POS system.
- Ensure that the transaction contains the correct TL (Terminal Location) value.
- Verify that the transmitted TL matches the internal location ID defined when the location was created in the efsta Portal.
Result
Once a transaction containing the correct TL (Terminal Location) has been processed, the EFR is automatically assigned to the corresponding location.
How do I configure offline licenses?
To use an offline license, it must first be activated in the EFR interface using a license key generated in the efsta Portal.
Before activation, the offline license must be purchased in the efsta Portal. Once purchased, the license key is generated automatically and can be activated within a few minutes.
Prerequisite: An offline license must be purchased before it can be activated.
Procedure
Step 1: Retrieve the License Key in the efsta Portal
After purchasing the offline license:
- Wait approximately 5 minutes for the license key to be generated automatically.
- Open the efsta Portal.
- Navigate to Management.
- Open Offline Licenses.
- Copy the displayed license key.
Step 2: Open the EFR Interface
On the device where the EFR is installed:
- Open a web browser.
- Enter the following address:
localhost:5618
Step 3: Activate the Offline License
- Open the License section in the EFR interface.
- Paste the copied license key into the designated field.
- Select Activate.
The offline license is now activated and ready for use.
Result
After successful activation:
- The offline license is assigned to the EFR instance.
- The EFR can operate without continuous synchronization to the efsta Cloud.
- No additional activation steps are required.
Related Article
Portal FAQs – How do I order offline licenses for my company
How do I uninstall and reinstall the EFR?
If the EFR needs to be reinstalled, the existing installation must first be removed completely. Following the correct procedure ensures that the EFR is deregistered properly and can be installed again without issues.
Important: In Austria, always wait until the closing receipt is available in the efsta Portal and the deregistration has been confirmed before uninstalling the EFR.
Uninstalling the EFR
Step 1: Create the Closing Receipt
Germany (DE)
- Send the daily closing (NFS=Z).
Austria (AT)
- Open a browser and navigate to:
http://localhost:5618. - Open the Control tab.
- Select Create Closing Receipt.
- Wait until the closing receipt is available in the efsta Portal and the deregistration has been confirmed by the tax authority (FISCAL_AT-CLOSE--P-).
2.Step 2: Stop the EFR Service
- Stop the EFR service on the device.
Step 3: Uninstall the EFR
- Completely uninstall the EFR application from the device.
Step 4: Create a Backup (Optional)
- Save the EFR folder to an external location if you want to keep a backup of the installation.
Step 5: Delete the EFR Folder
- Delete the following folder:
C:\ProgramData\EFR
6. Step 6: Deactivate the Register in the efsta Portal
- Open the efsta Portal.
- Select the three-dot menu (...) next to the affected EFR.
- Select Deactivate Register.
Reinstalling the EFR
Step 1: Download the EFR
- Download the required EFR version for your country from the EFR Download Page.
Step 2: Install the EFR
- Install the EFR on the target device.
Step 3: Configure the EFR
- Complete the required EFR configuration after the installation has finished.
Important Information
- In Austria, the EFR must not be uninstalled until the closing receipt has been transmitted successfully and the deregistration has been confirmed.
- Creating a backup of the EFR folder is optional but recommended if the previous installation may need to be reviewed later.
- The register must be deactivated in the efsta Portal before reinstalling the EFR.
Result
After completing the uninstall and reinstall procedure:
- The previous EFR installation is completely removed.
- A new EFR installation is successfully deployed.
- The EFR is ready for configuration and operation.
POS ID already in use
Multiiple POS systems using the same POS ID must be closed before the POS ID can be changed.
Using identical POS IDs is not permitted and may prevent transactions from being processed correctly.
Instructions
- Ensure that all POS systems using the same POS ID are closed.
- Open the EFR interface at:
http://localhost:5618 - Open the Steuerung tab.
- Click Kassa außer Betrieb nehmen.
- Contact your POS provider and request a change of the POS ID.
- After the POS ID has been changed, wait 1–2 hours before using the POS systems again.
- Verify that the POS status is displayed as green.
Using identical POS IDs is not permitted and must be corrected to ensure proper operation.
After the POS ID has been changed, the systems may require up to 1–2 hours before the new configuration is fully applied.
How can I perform a switch between hardware, cash register or server?
If you are changing hardware, replacing a cash register, or moving your server within your company, you can transfer your existing EFR installation to the new system.
This allows you to keep all existing settings and the EFR register number, avoiding the need for a complete setup from scratch.
Step-by-step instructions
Follow the steps below carefully to ensure a successful migration.
1. On the old cash register / hardware
Prepare the existing system:
- Uninstall the EFR
- Save the EFR folder externally (e.g. USB drive or network location)
- Delete the local EFR folder from:
C:\ProgramData
2. On the new cash register / hardware
Transfer and reinstall the EFR:
- Copy the saved EFR folder to:
C:\ProgramData
- Install the EFR
- Check the configuration settings
Important notes
If the process is performed correctly:
- all settings are retained
- the existing EFR register number remains unchanged
Important: Follow the migration steps exactly as described. Incorrect execution may result in configuration issues or errors.
Limitations
This method does not work in the following cases:
- Multicompany environments
- Single clients within a MultiPOS setup
Prerequisites
Before starting the migration:
- Ensure access to both the old and new system
- Prepare external storage or a network location to save the EFR folder
- Verify that the EFR installation is no longer in use during the migration
Procedure
Step 1: Prepare the Existing System
On the old cash register, hardware, or server:
- Uninstall the EFR.
- Save the complete EFR folder to an external location (for example, a USB drive or network share).
- Delete the local EFR folder from:
C:\ProgramData
Step 2: Transfer the EFR Data
On the new cash register, hardware, or server:
- Copy the saved EFR folder to:
C:\ProgramData
- Install the EFR.
- Verify the configuration settings after the installation has been completed.
Result
If the migration is performed correctly:
- All existing settings are retained.
- The existing EFR register number remains unchanged.
- The EFR can continue to operate without reconfiguration.
Limitations
This migration method is not supported for:
- Multicompany environments
- Individual clients within a MultiPOS installation
If your environment matches one of these scenarios, please contact efsta Support before proceeding.
What are the common HTTP 4xx and 5xx errors?
HTTP error codes indicate problems that occur when a system communicates with a server.
They help identify whether an issue is caused by the client (request) or the server.
HTTP 4xx errors (client-side errors)
Errors in the 4xx range indicate that the request sent to the server was invalid or incomplete.
In most cases, the issue can be resolved by adjusting the request.
Common 4xx errors and their meaning
| Code | Error | Description | Typical causes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 | Bad Request | The request cannot be processed due to invalid syntax or data | Malformed JSON Incorrect headers Invalid query parameters |
| 401 | Unauthorized | Authentication is missing or invalid | Missing or incorrect API key Expired authentication token |
| 403 | Forbidden | The request is authenticated but access is denied | Insufficient permissions Blocked IP address Restricted endpoint |
| 404 | Not Found | The requested resource does not exist | Incorrect URL Renamed or unavailable endpoint |
| 409 | Conflict | The request conflicts with the current state of the system | Duplicate entries Resource already exists Version conflicts |
| 429 | Too Many Requests | Too many requests were sent in a short time | Rate limit exceeded |
HTTP 5xx errors (server-side errors)
Errors in the 5xx range indicate that the server failed to process a valid request.
These issues are typically not caused by the client, but by the server or infrastructure.
Common 5xx errors and their meaning
| Code | Error | Description | Typical causes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Internal Server Error | A general server error caused by unexpected conditions | Server-side bugs Unhandled exceptions |
| 501 | Not Implemented | The requested functionality is not supported by the server | Unsupported HTTP methods |
| 502 | Bad Gateway | A gateway server received an invalid response from another service | Upstream service failure Communication issues between systems |
| 503 | Service Unavailable | The server is temporarily unable to handle the request | Maintenance System overload Limited resources |
| 504 | Gateway Timeout | A gateway did not receive a response in time from an upstream server | Slow backend processes Network issues |
See HTTP Status Codes
For a complete overview of all HTTP status codes and their classification, please refer to the official documentation:
What Is the Difference Between Online and Offline EFR?
Overview
The EFR (Electronic Fiscal Register) can operate in either Online or Offline mode. The main differences relate to how data is stored, synchronized, monitored, and managed in the event of a failure.
Online EFR
An Online EFR is automatically created in the efsta Cloud as soon as an online connection is available.
It receives an EFR number and enables continuous synchronization with the cloud.
In Austria, cash registers are also automatically registered with the tax authorities via a generated start document.
Benefits of Online EFR
Monitoring
The monitoring function provides an immediate overview of the cash register status and fiscalization.
It allows users to:
- check the current status of the cash register
- verify correct fiscalization at any time
Archiving
With Online EFR, data is safely stored according to legal retention periods.
Key advantages include:
- Secure cloud-based data storage
- Automatic transmission of start, monthly, and annual receipts (Austria)
- Data remains available up to the point of failure if the cash register becomes unavailable
Customer Access
Customers can:
- Access data at any time
- Review transparent and traceable transactions
- More easily meet compliance requirements
Temporary Offline Operation
Even when using an Online EFR, temporary internet outages do not interrupt operation:
- Data is stored locally during the connection loss
- Data is automatically synchronized with the efsta Cloud once the connection is restored
No manual intervention is required.
Offline EFR
In Offline mode, the system does not continuously synchronize with the efsta Cloud.
As a result, data management and compliance responsibilities remain with the user..
Key Differences Compared to Online EFR
- Data is not automatically stored in the cloud
- No automatic backup or synchronization is performed
- The user is responsible for data security, backups, and compliance requirements
Backup Responsibility
To reduce the risk of data loss, efsta recommends performing:
- Daily backups whenever possible
- At minimum, weekly backups
In Case of a Cash Register Failure
If a cash register failure occurs:
- Data is only available up to the most recent backup or export
- Data created after the last backup may be lost
- The user must independently report the failure to the tax authority, if required by local regulations
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Last data export | Monday |
| Cash register failure | Wednesday |
Result: Only data up to Monday is available. Transactions recorded after the Monday export may be lost.
Summary
| Feature | Online EFR | Offline EFR |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud synchronization | Yes | No |
| Automatic backups | Yes | No |
| Monitoring available | Yes | No |
| Data retention support | Cloud-based | User responsibility |
| Automatic transmission of fiscal documents (Austria) | Yes | No |
| Recovery after failure | Data available up to failure | Data available only up to last backup |
| Failure reporting responsibility | Automated support available (Austria registration process) | User responsibility |
Note: Online EFR is recommended whenever a reliable internet connection is available, as it provides automatic synchronization, monitoring, and reduced risk of data loss.
Export
How can I create a financial export locally on the EFR
You can create a financial export directly on the EFR via the local interface.
This allows you to download all relevant data for a specific time period.
Step-by-step instructions
To create a financial export, follow these steps:
- Ensure your EFR is up to date
- Update the EFR to the latest version
- This ensures that all legal and technical changes are included
- Open the EFR interface
- Open a browser on the cash register where the EFR is installed
- Enter the following address:
localhost:5618
- Navigate to the export section
- Open the “Control” (Steuerung) tab
- Create the export
- Scroll to the bottom of the page
- Select the desired time period
- Download the required export data
The export will contain all relevant financial data for the selected period.
Browser recommendation
For best results, we recommend using:
- Google Chrome
Other browsers may:
- cause incomplete downloads
- produce errors with larger data volumes
How can I export data from the EFR?
You can export data directly from the EFR interface via your browser.
The export allows you to retrieve transaction data for a specific period.
Step-by-step instructions
To export data from the EFR, follow these steps:
- Open a browser on the cash register where the EFR is installed
- Enter the following address in the browser:
localhost:5618
- If you are using MultiPOS or MultiCompany:
- Select the relevant cash register at the top left under “def”
- Navigate to the Control tab
- Scroll to the bottom of the page:
- Select the desired time period
- Download the corresponding export file
Troubleshooting
If you cannot access the EFR interface:
- Error messages such as 404 or similar may indicate thatthe default address has been changed.
In this case: Please contact your cash register manufacturer to obtain the correct address.
Browser recommendation
For best results, use:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
Other browsers may not load the interface correctly.
- Open the browser on the cash register where the EFR is installed
- Enter the following in the address line:
localhost:5618- If you have a MultiPOS or MultiCompany, please select the respective cash register where the export is required at the top left under “def”
- Then navigate to the Control tab
- At the bottom you can select the period and then download the respective export
If you enter localhost:5618 and are unable to access a page (e.g. 404 error or similar), please report this to the cash register manufacturer as the default address has probably been changed to a different one.
Please try the whole process with Google Chrome and Firefox only. Other browsers tend not to load correctly.