7
Troubleshooting
40
EASY-Spray Series Ion Source User Guide
Thermo Scientific
Signal issues
The signal
intensity is weak.
The parameters for the LC, MS,
or both might need adjusting.
Try these solutions:
• Verify that the EASY-Spray column is correctly
positioned (that is, clicks on insertion).
• Check the LC method and MS tune method
parameters.
• Run a known standard to check the sensitivity.
The MS ion transfer tube is dirty. Clean the ion transfer tube. For instructions, refer to the
MS documentation.
The spray is
unstable.
–or–
There is no spray.
There is a leak somewhere in the
liquid path.
Check all of the LC connections.
Air bubbles in the emitter might
cause the spray to “spit.”
Try degassing the mobile phase or purging the line, and
then recheck the line for air bubbles.
There is an emitter blockage from
particles in the sample, other small
particles from the flow lines or
valves, and so on.
Try adjusting the spray voltage. If that does not resolve the
blockage problem, either clean the emitter (see
the EASY-Spray Column Emitter Tip
) or insert a new
EASY-Spray column.
The cleaning solvent is not
LC/MS grade, which can
negatively affect the spray stability.
Use an LC/MS-grade solvent to clean the emitter tip.
The EASY-Spray column is out of
alignment, which might occur if
you bumped the ion source or
moved the ion source from one
MS to another MS.
Follow the procedure
To adjust the emitter tip position
.
Table 7.
EASY-Spray Series ion source problems, causes, and possible solutions (Sheet 2 of 3)
Problem
Cause
Solution
