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Manufacturer
Model
What This Guide Helps With
Addresses loss of power, incomplete startup, blank controls, or startup interruptions caused by power, disconnects, interlocks, controls, or facility conditions.
Step-by-Step Troubleshooting
1. Protect Patients, Staff, and Processing Workflow
Do not rely on a cart washer that cannot complete startup. Redirect carts, containers, or other approved loads to another verified processing method according to facility procedure.
If there is smoke, unusual odor, visible electrical damage, water near electrical components, or repeated breaker operation, remove the washer from service immediately.
Expected outcome: Processing continues through an alternate verified method while the affected washer is evaluated safely.
2. Confirm the Exact Startup Complaint
Ask staff what occurred when the unit was last operated. Determine whether the washer is completely dead, displays briefly and shuts down, stops during initialization, or remains at a startup screen.
Observe available displays and indicators without bypassing any safety devices.
Expected outcome: The failure is narrowed to loss of incoming power, control startup, or a startup condition preventing readiness.
3. Verify Facility Power and External Disconnects
Confirm that the washer's normal facility power source and any accessible designated disconnects are in their expected operating positions. Check for evidence of a local or area power interruption.
Do not repeatedly reset a breaker or disconnect that trips again.
Expected outcome: Stable facility power is available to the washer. If restoring an approved external power source allows normal startup, troubleshooting can stop after functional verification.
4. Inspect Accessible Power-Related Conditions
Inspect accessible power cords, conduit interfaces, disconnect enclosures, and surrounding areas for looseness, damage, heat discoloration, moisture, or signs of impact.
Do not open energized electrical compartments unless specifically authorized and trained to do so under facility and manufacturer procedures.
Expected outcome: No obvious external power defect or unsafe condition is present.
5. Verify Doors and External Safety Conditions
Confirm that all loading and unloading doors are fully closed and unobstructed. Check for carts, racks, debris, or damaged seals preventing the unit from recognizing a safe startup condition.
Verify that accessible emergency-stop or similar safety controls are not activated.
Expected outcome: External safety conditions permit normal startup. If the unit starts normally after correcting a door or control condition, troubleshooting can stop.
6. Check Utilities Required for Initialization
Verify that required facility utilities serving the washer are available and that accessible supply valves are in their normal operating positions. Look for facility utility outages or maintenance affecting the area.
Do not alter regulated facility utility settings.
Expected outcome: Required utilities are available and stable enough for the washer to initialize.
7. Perform a Controlled Restart
If no unsafe condition exists, perform a normal shutdown and restart using approved operating controls. Allow the complete startup sequence to finish without interrupting it.
Record any displayed message or point at which startup stops.
Expected outcome: The washer reaches its normal ready state. If it does, proceed to a functional cycle verification and stop troubleshooting if successful.
8. Perform Final Functional Verification
Run an approved empty or test cycle appropriate for the department and confirm normal startup, controls, door behavior, utility response, alarms, and cycle initiation.
Do not return the washer to service based only on the display powering on.
Expected outcome: The washer starts normally and completes the required functional verification without abnormal indications.
9. Escalate if Startup Still Fails
If facility power, external controls, doors, utilities, and normal restart conditions are satisfactory but startup still fails, stop external troubleshooting.
Expected outcome: The unit is removed from service for qualified service evaluation rather than subjected to unnecessary internal troubleshooting.
If the Problem Persists
Common external causes have been ruled out. Remaining possibilities may involve internal power distribution, control electronics, safety circuits, internal interlocks, software, or other service-level conditions.
The washer should be:
- Removed from service.
- Labeled Out of Service.
- Sent for repair or bench/service evaluation as appropriate for installed equipment.
- Evaluated using applicable STERIS documentation and approved test equipment.
- Repaired or configured only by qualified personnel.
After corrective work, complete the appropriate functional and safety verification before returning the washer to clinical processing service.
Knowing when to stop external troubleshooting is proper troubleshooting.
Clinical Use Tip
Do not allow staff to process loads in a washer that powers intermittently or cannot consistently complete its startup sequence.
Work Order Documentation (CCR Method)
CCR = Complaint, Cause, Resolution
Complaint
What was reported by the clinical staff.
Example:
"Sterile Processing reported the Reliance Vision cart washer would not complete startup and remained unavailable for cycles."
Cause
What was observed during troubleshooting.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering found the washer had facility power but an accessible emergency-stop control remained engaged."
Resolution
What action was taken.
Example:
"Clinical Engineering restored the control to its normal position, restarted the washer, and verified normal startup and successful functional cycle operation."
Helpful Details to Include (If Known)
- Whether the unit was completely dead or partially powered
- Display or indicator status
- Exact startup message
- Facility power status
- Disconnect condition
- Emergency-stop condition
- Door position
- Utility availability
- Evidence of water, heat, odor, or damage
- Results after restart
- Final functional cycle result
- Final device status
Final Thought
Protect processing continuity first, verify power and external conditions before assuming an internal failure, and stop when the problem reaches a service-level boundary. Clear verification and CCR documentation complete the troubleshooting process.
That is successful troubleshooting.