Troubleshooting

The status icon in OMNIC Paradigm software is yellow

When monitoring is enabled in OMNIC Paradigm software, the System Status indicator in the upper right corner of the OMNIC Paradigm software home page reflects the results of system diagnostic tests and system errors.

• If the System Status indicator has a green checkmark, the instrument is operating properly. 
• If the System Status indicator is yellow, an instrument test has failed or is overdue. 

 For more information, click the icon to open the System Status Overview box.

The status icon in OMNIC Paradigm software is red

When monitoring is enabled in OMNIC Paradigm software, the System Status indicator in the upper right corner of the OMNIC Paradigm software home page reflects the results of system diagnostic tests and system errors.

• If the System Status indicator has a green check mark, the instrument is operating properly.
• If the System Status indicator is red, the instrument requires attention. 

For more information, click the icon to open the System Status Overview box.

The system scans normally but the signal intensity is very low

1. Align the instrument. See "Aligning your spectrometer".
2. In OMNIC Paradigm software, set the Optical Velocity setting to a lower velocity.
3. Check the Aperture setting. For an MCT detector, set Aperture to High Resolution. For a TEC DTGS detector, set Aperture to Medium Resolution.
4. Make sure any accessories you are using are installed and aligned correctly. For more information, see the instructions that came with the accessory.
5. Check the sample compartment windows. If they are fogged, contact us to have the windows replaced.

If the problem persists, contact us for assistance.

The baseline is not stable

1. Lower the purge flow rate to minimize the acoustic noise inside the instrument until the baseline is stable.
2. Align the instrument.
3. Make sure the environmental conditions meet the requirements given in the Site and Safety guide.
4. Check the humidity indicator and replace the desiccant and indicator if needed.

5. If the instrument power was recently turned on, allow at least 1 hour for the temperature to stabilize.
6. If the instrument has a cooled detector and the detector dewar was recently filled, allow the detector at least 15 minutes to cool.

If the problem persists, contact us for assistance.

The alignment fails

1. Remove any sample or sampling accessory from the instrument sample compartment.
2. Check the humidity indicator on the instrument touch panel. If the indicator is pink, change the desiccant and the indicator.
3. Check all of the instrument indicators.
4. Make sure the system has been on for at least 15 minutes (one hour for best results), then align the instrument.
5. Make sure any accessories are installed according to the instructions.

If the problem persists, contact us for assistance.

There is a problem selecting an external detector in a microscope

1. Check the accessory connector on the back of the instrument, or on the back wall of the sample compartment. Check the detector cable connection. If it is loose, tighten it.
2. If the problem persists, contact us for assistance.

Data cannot be collected (or other software problems)

1. Close OMNIC Paradigm software and turn off the instrument power. Wait 90 seconds, then turn on the instrument power. Allow the start-up sequence to finish and then restart OMNIC Paradigm software.
2. Turn off the computer and turn off the instrument power switch. Check the data cable. If it is damaged, replace it. If the cable is loose or disconnected, reconnect it. Turn on the instrument power and wait until the start-up sequence finishes. Then turn on the computer and restart OMNIC Paradigm software.

If the problem persists, contact us for assistance.