Getting started guide
Have questions about getting started with Lightspeed Restaurant? Find answers to frequently asked questions. Navigate to other articles in the guide using the carousel below.
Launching Lightspeed Restaurant checklist
Review the setup and training checklist and prep to go live.
Learn more
We’ve responded to your frequently asked questions so you can quickly find the answers you’re looking for.
Back Office login
- How do I log in to the Back Office?
If you're logging in to the Back Office for the first time, you’ll receive an email from no.reply@lightspeedhq.com asking you to set a password. After setting a password, open Back Office in any web browser and log in using your Lightspeed credentials.
- How do I reset my Back Office password?
Visit the Back Office using the primary email address associated with your account and click Forgot password?. You’ll receive an email from do_not_reply@lightspeedhq.com asking you to reset your password. Once you’ve created a new password, open Back Office again and log in using your Lightspeed credentials.
Account setup
- How do I schedule an Onboarding session?
Contact your Launch Coordinator by replying to the email they sent at the start of your onboarding. You can also contact the general Customer Success team to book an onboarding session with one of our product specialists at the email address or phone number listed for your region. Sessions take place Monday through Friday during business hours, and can be scheduled up to four days in advance. All you will need is a computer with an internet connection and your iPad, which we will use to guide you in setting up the screen sharing connection.
- How do I extend the setup period if setting up my Lightspeed account if setup is taking longer than expected?
If setting up your Lightspeed account is taking longer than expected, or your setup account has expired, log in to the Back Office with your Lightspeed credentials and select the banner mentioning that your account expired. From there, you can choose to extend your setup period. However, please note that the extension can only be done once.
- How do I go live after setting up my account?
Once you’ve finished setting up your account, log in to the Back Office with your Lightspeed credentials and launch by clicking Go Live | Activate Subscription to transition your account from setup mode to production mode.
User management
- How do I create a new Back Office user?
To create a new Back Office user, log in to Back Office using your Lightspeed credentials and navigate to Configuration > Users > Backoffice users. Click Add a new user and fill in the user’s email address and name. Then, select user permissions for the employee. Click Add user to finish creating the new user.
- How do I create a new POS user?
To create a new POS user, log in to Back Office using your Lightspeed credentials and navigate to Configuration > Users > POS users. Click Add a new user and fill in the user details, including username, first and last name. Then, select the appropriate user group depending on which permissions you’d like them to be able to access. Click Add user to finish creating the new POS user.
Item and menu creation
- How do I create an item in my Back Office?
To create an item, log in to Back Office using your Lightspeed credentials and navigate to Menu management > Items. Click Quick create item and then enter the Item name and Accounting group. Click Create to finish creating the item.
- How do I create a combo?
To create a combo, log in to Back Office using your Lightspeed credentials and navigate to Menu management > Items. Click Create and select Combo from the drop-down menu. Fill in your item information and click Save.
Hardware purchases
You can purchase supported hardware directly from Lightspeed. Our online stores are customized for each region and only stock items that have been tested and verified by Lightspeed.
If you have questions, you can contact us.
POS device
- How do I connect my iPad to K-Series?
To connect your iPad to your Lightspeed account, you’ll need to go to the App Store and download Lightspeed Restaurant POS (K) app. Then, activate the app using a connection code generated in your Back Office.
- How do I apply Back Office changes to my POS device?
To apply Back Office changes to your POS device, you’ll need to reload the device configuration from either the Back Office or your POS device.
- To reload from Back Office, make sure that the POS (K) app is running on the POS device. Then, log in to Back Office using your Lightspeed credentials and navigate to Configuration > Devices > Devices. Under the Status column, click the reload icon and wait for the green OK tag to appear.
- To reload from the Restaurant POS app, clock in and tap the three dots in the bottom right corner of the Ordering screen. Then, tap the reload icon and a pop-up will appear asking if you want to sync the latest Back Office configuration to your device. Tap Yes to apply Back Office changes.
Billing and reporting
- Who do I contact about billing?
For any billing-related questions, please contact our billing department by email.
- Where can I view my reports?
There are a variety of reports available, such as sales reports, fiscal reports, and staff reports. To view your reports, log in to Back Office using your Lightspeed credentials and navigate to Reports > Reports.
Privacy law compliance
- What are privacy laws?
Privacy laws give citizens more control over their personal data by regulating how businesses use, store, and transfer this data. Personal data is any information related to a person (or "data subject") that can directly or indirectly identify them, including names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers.
As a Lightspeed user, it's imperative to respect and follow these privacy laws according to your region to ensure your compliance.
You can visit our Trust Center with all of our resources dedicated to security and privacy for more information.
- What is PCI compliance?
PCI compliance involves following the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS) set by the PCI Security Standards Council. It ensures businesses securely handle cardholder data during transactions, reducing the risk of breaches and fraud. Adherence to PCI compliance involves safeguards, assessments, and reporting, assuring customers of data security and maintaining trust.
- What is a DPA?
A Data Processing Agreement (DPA) holds you and Lightspeed to the privacy protocols outlined in Lightspeed’s privacy policy and your contract. By default, all merchants enter into a DPA when signing their contract with Lightspeed.
- How do I submit a data privacy request?
If you'd like to make a data privacy request, please complete the online form linked in our Privacy Policy.