Troubleshooting Unable to Start Real Time Analysis on the NovaSeq 6000

Users may experience an error regarding Real-Time Analysis (RTA) when attempting to start a run on the NovaSeq 6000. The error will read as follows:

Unable to start Real-Time Analysis. Restart the control software and set up a new run.

Typically this error is indicative of communications errors within the internal computer of the instrument and is resolvable with a complete power cycle of the system. Reagents are not typically marked as used with this error and a run can often be restarted with the same reagents, if the instrument initializes successfully following a power cycle. For complete instructions on power cycling the NovaSeq 6000, please review the article How to Power Cycle the NovaSeq 6000 System.

For this error, complete a slow power cycle, leaving the instrument completely powered down with the rear switch toggled off for a minimum of 5 minutes before attempting to reboot.

If after a slow power cycle RTA continues to fail, contact Illumina Technical Support.

For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #8431), contact Illumina Technical Support [e-mail].