Troubleshooting Process Chart
– Probable Instrument Fault
– Correct / Change Set-up & Re-run Analysis
– Probable Methodology Fault
– Leak in System – Pump Fault
– Detector Fault or Injector Fault
– Pump Fault or Column Compartment Fault
– Autosampler Fault
– Improve Method
– High Back Pressure Issues
– Run a Known Method on the System
– Look for Differences Between Systems
– Probable Instrument Fault
– Correct / Change Set-up & Re-run Analysis
– Probable Methodology Fault
– Leak in System – Pump Fault
– Detector Fault or Injector Fault
– Pump Fault or Column Compartment Fault
– Autosampler Fault
– Improve Method
– High Back Pressure Issues
– Run a Known Method on the System
– Look for Differences Between Systems
Step 3 – Question the methodology
If everything appears to have been run & prepared correctly – it’s time to separate science from engineering (i.e. method from instrument):
- Is there evidence that the chemistry is correct (i.e. method validation)?
- Is the problem isolated to a single instrument / configuration of instrument?
- If its routine analysis, is the analysis failing on more than one system?
- Has the method been adjusted / tweaked?
- Has the analysis worked on this instrument before?
