Notifications & Alerts
Never miss an order with configurable audio and visual alerts.
Audio Alerts
New Order Sound
A sound plays when a new order arrives. Kitchen staff hear it even when not looking at the screen — essential during busy service.
Sound Options
Sound | Best For |
Chime | Subtle, professional — good for open kitchens |
Beep | Clear, attention-grabbing — good for noisy kitchens |
Bell | Traditional, loud — hard to miss |
Voice | "New order" spoken aloud — unmistakable |
Configure Audio
Open Audio Settings
Go to Settings → Audio (tap the gear icon in the header).
Choose Sound Type
Select from Chime, Beep, Bell, or Voice.
Adjust Volume
Use the slider to set the volume. Consider your kitchen's noise level.
Test the Sound
Tap Test to hear the sound at the current volume.
Browser permissions required: The first time you open KDS, your browser will ask to allow notifications. You must click "Allow" for audio alerts to work. If you missed the prompt, click the lock/info icon in the browser's address bar and enable Sound and Notifications.
Visual Alerts
Screen Flash
The screen briefly flashes when a new order arrives — catches attention even from across the kitchen.
Color Indicators
Color | Meaning | Action |
Blue/White | New order | Start preparing |
Yellow | Taking longer than expected | Speed up |
Red | Overdue | Prioritize immediately |
Green | Ready/completed | Bump to clear |
Color thresholds are configurable in Settings.
Badge Counter
A counter badge in the header shows the number of new orders since you last interacted with the screen. Useful when you step away briefly.
Urgency Alerts
Time-Based Color Changes
Orders automatically change color based on wait time:
Time | Status | Color |
0–10 min | Normal | White/Blue |
10–15 min | Warning | Yellow |
15+ min | Urgent | Red |
Thresholds are configurable in Settings under Timing.
Rush Order Alerts
Rush orders (flagged by POS staff) have a special visual indicator and may trigger an extra alert sound to ensure immediate attention.
Per-Order-Type Sounds
Configure different alert sounds for different order types:
Order Type | Suggested Sound |
Dine-in | Normal chime |
Delivery | Louder beep (time-sensitive) |
Rush orders | Urgent bell |
Quiet Hours
Reduce alert volume during specific times (e.g., staff meetings, slow hours):
Go to Settings → Audio → Schedule
Set quiet hours (e.g., 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Set the reduced volume level
Alerts still appear visually, just at lower volume
Troubleshooting
Problem | Solution |
No sound at all | Check: 1) Browser permissions, 2) Device not on mute, 3) KDS volume setting |
Sound too quiet | Increase both KDS volume (in Settings) AND device volume |
Constant alerts | Orders may be backing up — check if filters are hiding orders |
Wrong sound playing | Go to Settings → Audio → Sound Type and change |
Sound works in one browser, not another | Each browser needs separate permission — allow notifications for the KDS domain |
If audio still doesn't work after checking permissions and volume, try clearing the browser cache and reloading the KDS page. Some browsers require a fresh page load after enabling notifications.