My instrument isn't working

If you are experiencing issues while using the Microlab Prep, this article will get you started troubleshooting. This article is intended to help you diagnose what the problem is, fix the issue if possible, and recommend further steps if the issues continue.

Solution 1: Browse Troubleshooting Articles

There are several troubleshooting articles available for specific problems with the Prep. If any of the articles describe the problem you are having, try the solutions described in that article.

Troubleshooting articles:

• I don’t see my labware in the list
• I keep getting deck scan errors
• I don’t see the correct liquid type in the list
• My run stopped early (power outage, crash, abort)

If the available articles do not address your problem, try the next solution.

Solution 2: Diagnose the Problem

The Prep has a set of diagnostic tests that can be used to troubleshoot. These tests perform basic functions for the Prep’s components as a quick check that the component is working properly.

1. Turn on the Prep and tap the settings button to get started. The settings button is located at the top-right corner of the home page, and has a gear icon.
2. Open the Diagnostics tab and select a test to get started:
   • Sensors: View the current values reported by the Prep’s sensors. Useful for detecting issues with sensors that are affecting performance.
   • Vision: Take a test image of the deck using the camera. Useful for troubleshooting persistent issues with labware recognition.
   • Devices: Browse tests for the pipetting tools and other integrated devices
   • CO-RE Paddle check: Pick up CO-RE Paddles and move a plate to different sites on the deck. Useful for checking positional accuracy and confirming plate transport functionality.
   • Drip test: Aspirate and hold water before dispensing it. Useful for checking for dripping.
   • Pressure test: Pick up a teaching needle and move the plunger(s) as if pipetting. Useful for checking for pressure irregularities.
   • Tip pickup and re-rack/waste: Pick up and re-rack tips or discard them to the waste bin, respectively. Useful for checking positional accuracy and tip pickup/eject of the 2 Independent Channels or 8-Probe Head.
   • Test heating and shaking: Heat the Hamilton Heater Shaker to a specified temperature while shaking at a specified rate. Useful for confirming communication between the Prep and the HHS.
   • Lights: Test the intensity of the LED deck lights. Useful for troubleshooting issues with labware recognition.
   • Motors: Test each motor on the Prep. Useful for isolating movement issues with the pipetting arm, channels, or 8 MPH.
3. If you were able to find the problem, double-check the available troubleshooting articles. You may be able to find a related article, now that you know what the problem is. Otherwise, contact us to get help from Hamilton with diagnosing the problem.
   
   If the tests reveal an issue with a pipetting head or the multi-probe head, proceed to the next solution. If a hardware error is discovered elsewhere, contact us to get more help from Hamilton.

Solution 3: Troubleshooting a Pipetting Head/Multi-Probe Head

Try the following solutions to address issues with a pipetting head or multi-probe head:

1. Run pipetting tool calibration. If the Prep is moved or experiences a crash, the pipetting tools may need to be calibrated to adjust to subtle changes in their alignment.
   1. Turn on the Prep and tap the settings button. The settings button is located at the top-right corner of the home page, and has a gear icon.
   2. Open the Instrument tab and select System Calibration.
   3. Tap Channels, then tap Run.
   4. When prompted, open the door and place a full rack of tips on the front-left site (site 4).
   5. Select and confirm which tips you loaded on screen. Tap Next after selecting tips.
   6. Close the door and wait until calibration is finished. You can remove the tips once calibration is finished.
      
      If problems persist, try the next solution.
2. Replace the pipetting tool’s stop disc(s) and o-ring(s). Old or damaged stop discs and o-rings can negatively impact pipetting results. Learn more about stop disc and o-ring replacement here.
   
   If problems persist, try the next solution.
3. Replace the pipetting head or multi-probe head. If a channel or the 8 MPH is consistently having issues, even with new stop-discs and o-rings, the pipetting head or multi-probe head may need to be replaced. Learn more about pipetting head replacement here.