Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 7 Flex User Manual

Problem/symptom Possible cause Action
Well displays the NOSIGNAL flag,
indicating that the well produced
very low or no fluorescence signal.
Missing reaction mix resulting from
pipetting error.
If a well is flagged, confirm the results:
1. Consider omitting the well from the analysis.
2. Note the location for each flagged well, and check each corresponding
well in the plate or array card for evaporation or low reaction volume.
3. Contact Thermo Fisher Scientific to order a replacement RNase P
plate or array card. If the replacement RNase P consumable fails,
contact Technical Support for assistance
Well displays the OFFSCALE flag,
indicating that the fluorescence
signal for one or more dyes in the
well exceeds the instrument’s
maximum detectable range for one
or more cycles.
• Fluorescent contaminant on the
plate or array card or sample
block
• Fluorescent contaminant in the
reaction
1. Perform a background calibration. If you detect fluorescent
contamination, decontaminate the sample block.
2. Contact Thermo Fisher Scientific to order a replacement RNase P
plate or array card. If the replacement consumable fails, contact
Technical Support for assistance
Well displays the OUTLIERRG flag,
indicating that the C
t
of the well
deviates significantly from C
t
values
in the associated replicate group
(only the outlier is flagged).
• Contamination
• Improper sealing or seal leaks
1. Decontaminate the work area and pipettors.
2. Contact Thermo Fisher Scientific to order a replacement RNase P
plate or array card. Repeat the test and make sure that the RNase P
consumable is properly sealed. If the replacement RNase P plate or
array card fails, contact Technical Support for assistance.
Well displays the SPIKE flag,
indicating that the amplification
curve contains one or more data
points inconsistent with the other
points in the curve.
• Bubbles in the reaction
• Evaporation during the
denaturation step because of
improper sealing or seal leaks
Contact Thermo Fisher Scientific to order a replacement RNase P plate or
array card. Repeat the test, and make sure to properly centrifuge the
RNase P consumable. If the replacement RNase P plate or array card fails,
contact Technical Support for assistance.
Well displays the THOLDFAIL flag,
indicating that the software cannot
calculate the threshold.
• Amplification too early
• Amplification too late
• Low amplification
• No amplification
If a well is flagged, confirm the results:
1. Select the flagged well(s) in the plate layout or well table.
2. View the amplification plot (R
n
vs. Cycle and DR
n
vs. Cycle), and check
for early, late, low, or no amplification.
3. Contact Thermo Fisher Scientific to order a replacement RNase P
plate or array card. If the replacement RNase P consumable fails,
contact Technical Support for assistance.
Instrument malfunction. Multiple possible causes Contact your local Thermo Fisher Scientific Field Service Office.
Chapter 2 Calibrate the instrument
Troubleshooting
2
80
QuantStudio
™
6 and 7 Flex Real-Time PCR Systems v1.6 Maintenance and Administration Guide

Applied Biosystems QuantStudio 7 Flex Specifications

General

Brand	Applied Biosystems
Model	QuantStudio 7 Flex
Category	Laboratory Equipment
Language	English