pXRF slow to boot with intermittent USB connection after manufacturer service

[Emily Nutman]

Hi all,

I’m hoping to get some advice on a recurring issue with our Bruker Tracer 5g pXRF unit. Our instrument is several years old and has seen a decent amount of use, but nothing excessive.

Since getting the instrument back from the manufacturer a few months ago (it was sent away for a separate software issue involving attempted wireless backups), we’ve noticed two problems that have gradually worsened:

1. Very slow start up times: After the device has been off, it takes quite a while to boot up again. Significantly longer than before it was serviced.

2. Unreliable USB connection. The instrument often fails to connect via USB - typically the slower it is to start up, the less likely it is to connect.

The problems weren’t severe at first, but they’ve become progressively worse. We’ve checked the obvious things (different cables, different laptops, USB settings enabled, etc.), but still have the same problem. For now we’ve been relying on the touchscreen and exporting data via USB stick, but this limits our ability to connect to instrument tools and install new calibrations. Plus the slow boot time is becoming concerning.  

Before we think about sending it away again, I wanted to know what might be causing the issue and if there are any user‑side fixes or workarounds that could improve this issue. Any insights or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Emily Nutman

PhD Candidate
The Australian National University