Barcode Scanner Not Populating Inventory Form Fields – Workday Mobile Problem
Article #: 15719 | Target Audience: Basic User, IT Manager, Advanced User
Summary
This article describes a known behavior in the Workday mobile app (version 2026.04.1 and later) on Zebra TC53E barcode scanners where the hardware barcode scanner stops populating inventory form fields. The camera scanning mode, when activated — even accidentally — overrides and blocks hardware scanner input until the setting is manually reset.
Situation and Symptoms
- The hardware barcode scanner (DataWedge) lights up, blinks green, and beeps when scanning, but no data is populated into the Workday inventory form fields.
- Using the camera-based barcode scan (via the camera button in the Workday form) works correctly and does populate fields.
- The issue persists across multiple users on the same device.
- The scanner works correctly in the DataWedge Demo (DWDemo) app, confirming hardware and connectivity are functioning.
- The issue began around the time of a Workday mobile app update, but other scanners on the same app version are unaffected.
Explanation
The Workday mobile app inventory forms support two methods of barcode input: the hardware scanner (via DataWedge) and the device camera. These two modes are mutually exclusive, when the camera scanning mode is active, the app does not accept input from the hardware scanner.
The camera mode is triggered by tapping the camera icon within the Workday inventory form. Critically, the app remembers this preference across sessions. If a user activates the camera mode, even unintentionally, the app will continue to expect camera input on every subsequent scan, effectively blocking hardware scanner data from ever reaching the form fields.
This behavior can appear to be a scanner hardware failure, DataWedge misconfiguration, or an app/network connectivity issue, but the root cause is entirely within the Workday app’s input mode preference.
Solution
To restore hardware scanner functionality in Workday inventory forms, disable the camera scanning mode within the app:
- Open the Workday mobile app and navigate to the affected inventory form (e.g., Inventory Count, Receive Items).
- Look for the camera icon or a toggle within the form that enables camera-based barcode scanning.
- Tap the camera option to deactivate it. The app should return to expecting hardware scanner input.
- Attempt a scan using the hardware barcode scanner. Data should now populate the form fields correctly.
Note: No DataWedge reconfiguration, factory reset, or app reinstallation is required. This is a per-session preference stored by the Workday app and can be toggled by any user with access to the form.
Additional Comments
Issue Found: May 2026
Inspired By: Support case submitted by Lucas (Materials Management). Root cause identified by Adam Teare.
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