Waters ACQUITY UPLC M-Class System Manual page 54

4 Maintaining the system
ACQUITY UPLC M-Class System troubleshooting: (Continued)
Symptom
Erratic retention
times (continued)
Increasing or
decreasing
retention times
54 March 10, 2014, 715003588 Rev. A
Suspected cause
Ambient temperature
fluctuations
Column contamination
Decreased flow rate
Incorrect solvent
composition
Possible solution
Stabilize the operating
environment temperature
(for a minimum of
30 minutes).
If the problem persists:
• Run the column heater
temperature at 5 °C
above ambient.
• Close any open air
vents.
• Contact your Waters
service representative.
• Flush the column with
85% organic solvent.
• Clean or replace the
column as described in
the appropriate column
care and use manual on
the documentation CD.
• Re-run the analysis and
observe if the retention
times stabilize.
• Ensure cleanliness of
the mobile phase.
Verify the flow rate
setting.
The Universal
See also:
NanoFlow Sprayer
Installation and
Maintenance Guide on the
documentation CD.
Change the solvent
composition.