Kitchen Display System FAQ

Last updated: Jun 26, 2026, 3:48 PM

Get answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Kitchen Display System (KDS).

In this Article:

 

How do I get started with the KDS?

To get started with the KDS, set up your Kitchen Display System hardware, switch a device into KDS Mode, and configure how tickets display. A KDS device shows order tickets to your kitchen and expediter staff in place of, or alongside, printed tickets.

 

For the full walkthrough — hardware options, KDS navigation, and the permissions you need — see the Get Started With the Kitchen Display System article in Related Articles below.

 

Also asked as:

    • How do I set up my KDS?
    • How do I turn a terminal into a KDS?
    • How do I make my screen a KDS?

 

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Why can't I get to KDS Mode on my KDS?

You can't get to KDS Mode on your KDS if your account isn't subscribed to the Kitchen Display Screen Software product, or if the signed-in user is missing the required permission. To turn a Toast device into a KDS, both must be in place.

 

    1. Confirm your restaurant subscribes to the Kitchen Display Screen Software product. Review your Subscriptions page in Toast Web to check (see Review and Manage Your Toast Subscriptions in Related Articles).
    2. Confirm the signed-in user has the 1.3 Kitchen Display System Mode permission. The 7.3 KDS and Order Screen Setup permission is also needed to change device setup options.

 

If the subscription and permission are both in place and a device still shows a message that it needs a subscription, contact Toast Customer Care.

 

Note: A "needs a subscription" message on a device that you believe is already paid for usually relates to how the subscription is linked to that specific device. Contact Toast Customer Care to review it.

 

Also asked as:

    • Why does my KDS say it needs a subscription?
    • Is my KDS enabled?
    • Why can't I make my screen a KDS?

 

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Why is my KDS not showing tickets?

If your KDS is not showing tickets, the most common causes are a device-level filter, a missing prep station assignment, or a device that needs to resync. Start with these checks:

 

    1. On the KDS, select the three-dot overflow menu and select Device Setup.
    2. Confirm the Kitchen Expediter setting matches the device's role, that the correct Prep Stations are selected.
    3. Under Ticket Display Options, confirm the dining options you expect to see are selected.
    4. Force quit the Toast app, power cycle the device, then run Resync Orders followed by Resync ALL Data from the passcode screen.

 

Note: Check the device's online status before running a resync or clearing data.

 

For symptom-by-symptom troubleshooting — including tickets missing for one dining option, specific items not appearing, or items showing on the wrong screen — see Get Help With KDS Tickets in Related Articles.

 

Also asked as:

    • Why are orders not showing up on my KDS?
    • My KDS isn't showing any orders.
    • Why is my expo screen not showing anything?

 

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Why are my online or third-party orders not showing on the KDS?

If your in-house orders display on the KDS but online or third-party orders (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub, or Toast Online Ordering) do not, the third-party dining option is usually not selected on that device, or the order's items aren't routed to a prep station the device displays.

 

    1. On the KDS that should display the orders, select the three-dot overflow menu and select Device Setup.
    2. Select Ticket Display Options and select the third-party dining option created during your integration setup (for example, DoorDash Takeout or Uber Eats Delivery).
    3. Select Continue to save, then send a test order.

 

If online orders still don't appear, confirm the order reached Orders Hub on your Toast POS. For deeper third-party diagnostics, see Get Help With KDS Tickets in Related Articles.

 

Also asked as:

    • Why aren't my DoorDash orders showing on the KDS?
    • My Uber Eats orders are not showing up on the KDS.
    • Why don't online orders display on my expo screen?

 

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Why is my expediter screen stuck on a loading message?

If your expediter screen is stuck on a loading message, the device has usually lost its connection or needs to resync. Work through these steps in order:

 

    1. Confirm the device is online by checking the passcode page for the Offline Mode banner.
    2. Run Resync Orders from the three-dot menu on the passcode screen.
    3. If the screen is still stuck, perform a long cycle and then a power cycle on the device.

 

Also asked as:

    • My KDS is stuck loading.
    • Why is my expo screen frozen on loading?
    • My KDS won't finish loading tickets.

 

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Why can't I fulfill a ticket on my KDS?

If you can't fulfill a ticket on your KDS, check the screen for one of these conditions first:

 

    • A message that another prep station or expediter KDS must fulfill the ticket first. Fulfill it at that station or expediter screen, then return to this device.
    • An orange banner showing the device is offline. Reconnect the device to the network.

 

If there is no message or banner and the ticket still won't fulfill, see Get Help With KDS Tickets in Related Articles for further troubleshooting.

 

Also asked as:

    • Why won't my KDS let me fulfill a ticket?
    • My KDS ticket freezes when I try to fulfill.
    • It says the ticket is not valid when I fulfill.

 

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How do I enable double-tap to fulfill or unfulfill?

To enable double-tap to fulfill or unfulfill, change the setting in Device Setup on each KDS where you want it. This setting is device-specific.

 

    1. On the KDS, navigate to Device Setup in the Kitchen Display Screen section.
    2. Select or deselect Enable double-tap to unfulfill tickets.
    3. Select Continue.

 

Note: Enabling this feature lets you revert a fulfilled ticket to an unfulfilled status with two taps on the screen.

 

Also asked as:

    • How do I turn on double-tap on my KDS?
    • How do I unfulfill a ticket by double-tapping?

 

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How do I set up an expediter to print after second-level fulfillment?

To set up an expediter to print after second-level fulfillment, enable two-level fulfillment in Toast Web, then enable auto-printing on the KDS device.

 

    1. In Toast Web, navigate to Kitchen > Printers, tickets, & KDS devices > Kitchen and ticket setup.
    2. For the Two-Level Fulfillment setting, select Two levels.
    3. On the KDS, navigate to Device Setup and select Auto-print fulfilled tickets.
    4. Select the printer you want to print the fulfillment ticket.

 

For full expediter and two-level setup, see Set Up an Expediter and Set Up KDS Two-Level Fulfillment in Related Articles.

 

Also asked as:

    • How do I print a ticket after the expo fulfills it?
    • How do I auto-print fulfilled tickets from my expediter?

 

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How do I stop my KDS from printing tickets?

To stop your KDS from printing tickets, change the expediter Printing Mode so tickets only print when Toast is offline.

 

    1. In Toast Web, navigate to Kitchen > Printers, tickets, & KDS devices > Kitchen and ticket setup.
    2. In the Expediter section, find the Printing Mode setting.
    3. Select Only print expediter tickets when Toast is in offline mode.
    4. Save and publish your changes.

 

Also asked as:

    • How do I turn off printing on my KDS?
    • How do I stop my expo printer from printing tickets?
    • How do I keep the KDS but stop the tickets from printing?

 

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Can I send tickets to the KDS without printing a physical ticket?

Yes, you can send tickets to the KDS without printing a physical ticket by setting the expediter Printing Mode to print only in offline mode and making sure items route to a non-printing prep station the KDS displays. This keeps tickets on the screen while preventing a paper ticket.

 

To set the Printing Mode, follow the steps in "How do I stop my KDS from printing tickets?" above. To control which prep stations print versus display only, see Configure and Assign Prep Stations in Related Articles.

 

Also asked as:

    • How do I send orders to the KDS without printing?
    • Can I use the KDS without a printer?

 

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How do I show item quantities on kitchen tickets instead of repeating the item?

To show item quantities on kitchen tickets instead of listing the same item more than once, enable the Consolidate menu items setting.

 

    1. In Toast Web, navigate to Front of house > Order screen setup > UI options.
    2. In the Order screen section, scroll to the Consolidate menu items setting and enable it.
    3. Save and publish your changes if applicable.

 

Also asked as:

    • Why does the same item show multiple times on my KDS?
    • How do I show a quantity instead of repeating items?

 

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