Guidelines for troubleshooting common failures of autoclaves

Autoclaves are indispensable equipment in laboratory or medical settings. However, like any mechanical device, autoclaves may develop certain malfunctions during long-term use. Don’t worry — we have prepared a troubleshooting guide for common faults to help you quickly identify and resolve issues.
I. Troubleshooting of common faults
1.Treatment of drain hole blockage:
When the drain hole cannot discharge water due to blockage by debris such as broken glass or paper scraps, try opening the drain valve and blow air into the drain pipe using tools like a rubber suction bulb or syringe to clear the blockage.
For blockages caused by agar leakage, run the autoclave until the temperature reaches 100 °C, ensure the pressure is “0”, then open the drain valve. During this process, operate carefully to avoid scalding.
If none of the above methods resolve the problem, it is recommended to contact a professional engineer for repair.
2.Shut down mid-sterilization:
If the equipment shuts down suddenly and displays an error during sterilization, it may be caused by insufficient water in the sterilization chamber, which activates the water shortage protection mechanism. Please refill with distilled water for sterilization to the level indicated on the water gauge, then restart the sterilization program.
Abnormal power failure: In case of a sudden power outage during sterilization, restart the sterilization
3.Autoclave fails to start:
The autoclave is equipped with a lid closure protection function. If the lid is not properly closed, the unit will not start. Please ensure the lid is securely closed and restart the sterilization program.
4.Failure to Heat:
If the autoclave does not heat up after starting, or cannot reach the sterilization temperature of 121℃ with no air leakage displayed, and trips when the sterilization program is activated, the heating tube may be damaged. In such a case, please contact a professional engineer immediately for inspection and repair.
II. How to respond to “E” codes
There is no need to worry excessively when an “E” code appears. It usually means the autoclave simply requires your attention and some simple operations. Here are our recommendations:
Refer to the user manual: First, we recommend consulting the user manual supplied with the equipment, which usually contains detailed explanations and corresponding solutions for various “E” error codes.
Follow the prompted operations: Please complete the corresponding steps according to the prompts and handling suggestions of the “E” code. For example, if the code indicates a chamber door interlock fault, check whether the handle is properly positioned or whether you need to contact the distributor.
Perform simple maintenance: If the “E” code reminds you to perform maintenance, such as cleaning the exhaust solenoid valve or replacing the temperature control switch, please carry out simple cleaning or replace consumable parts following the instructions in the manual.
Contact customer support: If the above steps fail to resolve the problem, or if you still have questions about the meaning of the “E” code, please feel free to contact our customer support team. Our technical support team is ready to assist you at any time.

Always remember that safety comes first at all times.Before performing any operations, please ensure the autoclave is disconnected from the power supply to avoid any potential safety hazards.Our goal is to ensure your equipment operates safely and efficiently.