Troubleshooting | 279
Problem
Possible Cause
What To Do
filter, it may need to be replaced.
With the vacuum pump on, remove the muffler, if
installed, from the back of the module. Put your
finger over the port; if there is no vacuum,
contact BioTek TAC.
Clogged aspiration
tubes on the washer
manifold.
Make sure the microplate carrier is level.
Aspirate height
adjustment too high
or too low.
Change the aspiration height (Z-axis position) in
the protocol. Similarly, make sure the Magnet
Adapter Height offset is disabled or not too high.
Vacuum pump
failure.
Contact BioTek TAC.
Uneven
aspiration of
water buffer.
Some wells left
full.
No surfactant in the
buffer, such as
Tween
®
20.
Add surfactant to the buffer. If this is not
possible, continue below.
Protocol settings not
optimized.
Optimize protocols to improve evacuation on
page 101
Aspiration tubes not
properly positioned
horizontally in wells.
If none of the tubes are bent, try adjusting the
horizontal aspirate position (X-/Y-axis) in the
protocol.
Microplate not level
in carrier, or strips
not level in holder.
Reseat microplate in carrier or strips in holder.
Make sure the carrier is clean.
Try a different microplate or strip holder.
If the problem is unresolved, the carrier may
have to be realigned. Contact BioTek TAC.
Too much
residual left in
wells after
aspiration.
Clogged vacuum
filter.
If you are using an in-line vacuum filter (PN
48146), the filter may need to be cleaned or
replaced.
Waste bottle cover
not properly sealed
or fittings not
properly connected.
Firmly seat the waste bottle stopper. Make sure
tubing is connected properly.
Manifold out of
alignment or not
moving freely.
Check for obstructions. If none are found, contact
BioTek TAC.
Protocol requires
Optimize protocols to improve evacuation on
BioTek Instruments, Inc.