Why is nothing coming out of my dispense tip when I try to dispense fluid?

What should you do when you actuate your syringe dispenser, and nothing comes out of the dispense tip? Our service desk sometimes gets calls from alarmed customers wanting to know what is wrong with their precision fluid dispensing system.

The good news is that most of the time, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the equipment. Here is a troubleshooting sequence that can help you isolate and correct your issue.

What to do when your dispensing system won’t work

Troubleshooting Level I: Ensure that the machine is set up properly

Is the dispenser plugged in?
Is the air hose connected?
Is the power turned on?
Is the foot pedal connected?
Is the dispenser attached to a compressed air source?

In many cases, one of these steps will take care of the problem. If you still can’t dispense, proceed to Troubleshooting Level II.

Dispenser and components needed for fluid dispensing

Troubleshooting Level II: Easy diagnostics

Remove the syringe barrel adapter head and actuate the dispenser to see if air is flowing through. If not, check the air compressor system in the facility to ensure that nothing is blocking air flow to the dispenser.
Check the safety clip on the syringe barrel adapter hose to make sure it is open. The safety clip is designed to prevent unintended release of fluid. If it’s closed, no fluid will be dispensed.
Check the dispensing tip to ensure that it’s not clogged. Clogs are particularly a risk for thick pastes or cyanoacrylates if the wrong dispense tip was selected for the system.
Try replacing your dispensing tip to see if a clog is the source of your problem.
Check the vacuum suck-back feature to be sure it is properly set so fluid won’t get sucked into the dispenser, making it inoperable.
To avoid suck back altogether, consider using an adapter assembly with a filter trap in line with the adapter hose to prevent fluid from entering the dispenser.