Q: A manuscript status changed from “reviewer reports received, waiting for editor's decision” to “submission passed technical check.” What are the possible reasons?

Most journals run a “technical check” to see if a manuscript is formatted correctly and complies with journal policies. This initial screening might be to check if the manuscript is written in an acceptable language; contains the required elements such as author details, abstract, and declarations; uses the required citation style; and is within the journal’s length limits.  

Some journals may even run a plagiarism check. These checks happen before the manuscript reaches the editor or reviewers. If a manuscript passes these checks, the journal editor or managing editor will consider if the manuscript is worth moving ahead. If the editor is satisfied, they will initiate the peer review process by choosing and contacting appropriate peer reviewers to evaluate the work. 

In this case, however, it appears that peer review has taken place, and the editor is yet to reach a decision. A technical check at this stage does seem unusual, but different journals have different workflows and assign different terms for the various stages in the workflow. Perhaps the editorial board is reviewing the decision and the manuscript, and a technical editor needs to check the manuscript and the reviewer comments to ensure that journal standards have been followed.  

Another possibility might be that the editor felt the need for additional checks for technical soundness and scientific validity. Finally, in rare cases, the journal tracking system might be affected by a technical glitch and may not reflect the true status. These are three likely scenarios, but overall, I think it is safe to say that your manuscript is moving ahead in the journal workflow and you might hear from the editor soon! 

You can also check out this article where a journal editor explains what happens behind the scenes once the manuscript is submitted.