Troubleshooting "Initialize Cameras before capturing images" error on the MiSeq

Users may encounter an "Initialize Cameras before capturing images" error message during the first cycle of a MiSeq run. This error may occur if the previous run on the instrument ended early due to a communications error that caused the cameras to shut down.

An example of this type of error is an FPGA error; see more in the Knowledge Base articleTroubleshooting FPGA Timeout Errors on the MiSeq. If the user did not power cycle after such an error, this can cause an "Initialize Cameras before capturing images" error to occur.

Note: This error may cause a cycle 1 failure and mark consumables as "used". If this is the case, please contact Illumina Technical Support for assistance.

Troubleshooting steps:

• Power cycle the instrument in order to re-initialize the cameras.

  • For further information, see the Knowledge Base articles How to Power Cycle the MiSeq and How To Power Cycle the MiSeq Video.

• Check D:\ drive space. If an earlier run prematurely terminated, there may be old files taking up space in the old MiSeqTemp and MiSeqAnalysis run folder locations:

  • D:\Illumina\MiSeqTemp<old run folder> and D:\Illumina\MiSeqAnalysis<old run folder>

  • Delete older data from any prematurely terminated runs.

  • Additionally, detele any older run folders present from completed runs. Ensure they are backed up off-instrument before being deleted.

  • For further information, review the Knowledge Base articles Run folder sizes and Disk Space on the MiSeq and Troubleshooting Free Disk Space errors during Pre-run Checks on MiSeq

If the instrument fails to initialize or the error persists, contact Illumina Technical Support.

For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #7442), contact Illumina Technical Support [e-mail].