This section is designed to help you diagnose and fix problems with your performance monitor. To help minimize issues with your monitor, Concept2 recommends keeping your firmware current. Firmware releases are available at no charge from our website. Learn more
If you have questions or problems, or if you need further troubleshooting assistance, please contact us at 800.245.5676 (US and Canada) or [email protected].
The Performance Monitor (PM) comes on and you can navigate the menus, but when you begin rowing or skiing, the monitor numbers stay at zero.
On a PM4, choose Product ID. Look at what appears next to "Model." This should be D or D/E for Model Ds, and D/E for Model Es and Dynamic Indoor Rowers (for reference, D/E will also be listed for SkiErgs, but this procedure applies to indoor rowers only). If you have retrofitted a monitor to an older indoor rower, this should read C, B or A according to the indoor rower you have. If this doesn't match the indoor rower model you have, take the following steps:
Note: If you change the monitor batteries, you may need to follow this procedure again.
If you do not have access to a known working monitor, contact Concept2 or your authorized dealer for further assistance. If the monitor is used in a health club or other setting where a user may have sprayed the machine down with a cleaning solution after use, inspect the inside of the monitor and the circuit board for contamination. To inspect the inside of the monitor:
If the problem persists, or if no contaminants were visible on the circuit board, the PM must be replaced.
This resolution applies to PMs installed on the following equipment:
Take the following steps to determine whether the problem is with the generator cable or the battery.
This resolution applies only to monitors in use with Model A, B, or C Indoor Rowers.
Under normal circumstances, a set of Alkaline D cell batteries should last in a PM4 for about 350 hours of operational time. If you find this is not the case, take the following steps:
The port (or jack) for the USB cable is loose. This is the largest port on the bottom of the monitor.
The USB cable port has broken off the circuit board. To resolve the issue, the PM must be replaced.
The monitor powers up and displays information, but one or more of the buttons on the monitor face (usually the Menu or Menu | Back button) do not work.
This is a hardware issue, usually caused by corrosion on the circuit board. The PM must be replaced.
Not all buttons on the monitor face power up the monitor. Only pressing certain buttons or rowing/skiing will power up the monitor. After the monitor is on, some buttons may not work unless pressing hard.
The keypad may be aging or worn and cannot make the connection. The PM3/PM4 keypad, part number 1451, should be replaced. See also:
If you have tried to update the firmware in your PM more than once and are encountering problems, follow the procedure below to reset the PM.
This topic applies to all PM3s, PM4s and PM5s when updating firmware using the Concept2 Utility and a USB cable.
If you have performed the reset and are still encountering problems with the update, please note the PM screen contents (error messages, etc.) and contact Concept2 for assistance ([email protected] or 800.245.5676).
Note for MacBook Users: If you have attempted the update multiple times without success, try another USB port. Some MacBook users have reported that this resolved the issue. If the problem persists, contact Concept2 for assistance.
For additional firmware update troubleshooting, see Concept2 Utility Troubleshooting.
If you encounter an error during the firmware update, recover the PM by taking the following steps and trying again:
If you encounter a problem, we would like to hear from you. Please email [email protected] or contact Concept2 at 800.245.5676.
The monitor does not come on at all or only shows a few vertical or horizontal black lines.
Fully recharge the battery pack using a computer:
Perform a full monitor reset.
Warning: Depending on the age of your monitor, resetting the monitor may delete all workout data from the PM Memory; workout data stored on a LogCard will not be deleted. Additionally, following a reset, you may need to re-program your monitor with the correct language, and the current date and time.
To perform a full monitor reset:
If the problem persists, the PM must be replaced.
The monitor screen flutters with horizontal lines going across it. While the LCD is “fluttering,” other symptoms may be observed such as incorrect stroke output values, erratic strokes/minute display, inability to connect to PC or Mac or code 50 error. The video below illustrates a fluttering LCD.
[video of fluttering screen]
Replace the monitor.
The monitor cannot read the LogCard and/or does not acknowledge an inserted LogCard at all.
Try the following resolutions in the order listed:
The monitor displays "Cannot read LogCard" when the LogCard is inserted correctly.
When this happens the problem is with the LogCard, not the monitor. You can try and repair the LogCard using the Concept2 Utility:
If the problem persists, the LogCard must be replaced.
The LogCard suddenly loses workout history information. It may show total summary, but not specific monthly summary or individual workout information.
The LogCard has been corrupted. Using the most recent version of the Concept2 Utility, go to Transfer Data > Transfer to Spreadsheet (or any option that requires the Concept2 Utility to read the LogCard). The utility will detect the errors and prompt you to rewrite the card. Select Yes. You will not lose any workout data.
For more information about LogCard rewrites, visit the Concept2 Utility Troubleshooting page.
The LogCard is not recording any rowing/skiing data.
The LogCard is not recording monthly totals.
This can occur if workouts have been saved to the LogCard with future dates. (Having workouts with future/invalid dates occurs when the date on the PM is not set correctly. Learn how to set the date and time on your PM)
It is not possible to edit the dates on past workouts. The only resolution is to delete these workouts from your LogCard. (If you use an online logbook at log.concept2.com, manually enter those workouts in your logbook before deleting them from your LogCard.)
Once you've deleted the workouts from your LogCard, use the Concept2 Utility and go to the Transfer Data > Transfer to Spreadsheet option (or any option that requires the utility to read the LogCard). When it reads the LogCard, the utility will clean up any problems and reset your monthly totals.
The monitor comes on and works, but there are thin horizontal or vertical lines of missing pixels across the screen.
The LCD is broken and must be replaced. You can replace just the LCD, or, if you prefer, you can replace the entire monitor.
The monitor does not power up when you press a button or insert a LogCard. The monitor only powers up and works when you are rowing or skiing. This symptom only occurs when the rechargeable battery pack is in use with the PM4.
Ensure you are running PM4 firmware version 18 or above. If you are running a lower version of PM4 firmware, update the firmware in your PM4 and allow the battery pack to charge overnight.
Notes:
While you are rowing or skiing, the monitor either resets to zero or freezes.
Perform a full monitor reset.
Warning: Depending on the age of your monitor, resetting the monitor may delete all workout data from the memory; workout data stored on a LogCard will not be deleted. Additionally, following a reset, you may need to re-program your monitor with the correct language, and the current date and time.
To perform a full monitor reset:
If the problem persists, the monitor must be replaced.
If you find a problem with the PM4 firmware that is not listed below, please email [email protected] so we can research it. Please tell us exactly what you were doing, what you observed, and what you expected to happen.
If you need help determining which list applies to your monitor, check your firmware version. Generally, if no resolution is listed for an older version of firmware, updating your firmware to the current version will resolve the issue.
There are no known issues for Versions 311 or 313 at this time.
Issue 1: Error code 573-1 may occur when powering up the performance monitor.
Resolution 1: Update your PM4 firmware.
Issue 2: The PM4 flickers, fades, or shuts off when connected to a Mac that has HP printer/scanner or some other HP device software installed on it. If you are not sure whether you have HP device software installed on your computer, please email [email protected] for assistance.
Resolution 2: This issue is resolved in PM4 Firmware Version 308 Beta 1 and higher. Update your firmware.
Important: To successfully install the firmware, you will need to use either a Windows PC or a Mac that does not have the HP software installed on it. If you do not have access to another PC or Mac, you will need to uninstall the HP software to allow for the PM4 update. To uninstall the HP software, use the uninstall link for the HP software under Applications, or contact HP for instructions. You may reinstall the HP software after updating the PM4.
Changing to higher speeds for Venue Racing not consistent.
There are no known issues for Versions 25 or 26 at this time.
Issue: When accessing certain Information and Help screens, the performance monitor may display error code 42 or higher.
Resolution: Update your firmware. Until you are able to update the firmware, press Menu|Back to return to the previous screen and continue using the monitor.
Issue: Static discharge causes erratic behavior of PM4. Typically, a Just Row/Just Ski workout counts up to a minute or two of rowing/skiing then starts over at 0 again or a fixed time or distance workouts for about a minute and then just freezes as if the workout is over.
Resolution: Reset the monitor using the reset button on the back.
Issue 1: An infinite loop and/or a 44–94 error may occur when the following conditions are true:
If a LogCard is not present but the first three conditions are true, the monitor may present an infinite loop error and appear to reset, but will actually continue logging the workout.
Issue 2: If your PM4 is connected to a computer via the USB cable, and you stop rowing/skiing during a time interval of a variable interval workout (you must have stopped rowing/skiing long enough for there to be a period of inactivity on the PM4), the PM4 terminates the workout but does not return to the Main Menu.
Issue: 933 errors have been reported when a PM4 is connected to a computer that is not running any software and Menu|Back is pressed at the end of a workout.
Resolution: The immediate resolution is to unplug the USB cable from the PM4, press Menu|Back until the Main Menu is displayed, and then plug the USB cable back in. The long-term solution is to update your firmware.
Issue 1: There have been rare reports of LogCards being inserted and being formatted, because the PM4 thinks that the LogCard is a factory fresh card. Version 19 has added a prompt before formatting cards.
Issue 2: LogCard corruption may occur when using third party software such as RowPro.
Issue 3: Aborted Variable workouts do not correctly log results to the LogCard.
Issue 4: Error 137–84 occurs when deleting the first user on a LogCard with multiple users.
Issue 5: The Add User and Edit User screens contained bugs.
Issue 6: A few issues with Venue Racing are present.
Issue 7: Various screen formatting issues are present.
Issue 1: A 571 error occurs when the rechargeable battery pack is in use and the PM4 powers up.
Resolution 1: See the Resolution for Error Code 571
Issue 2: With older Suunto T6 belts, the PM4 allows you select the belt but no heart rate information is displayed while you are rowing/skiing.
Resolution 2: Update your firmware.
The iConnectConcept2 cable (no longer available) is used to connect a PM4 to an iOS device for running applications such as ErgData. If you are having trouble connecting the iConnectConcept2 cable to your iOS device, the information on this page may help.
When ErgData prompts you to connect the Concept2 Cable, plug the iConnectConcept2 cable into your iOS device with the bulge facing the front of the iOS device (see image below). The message on ErgData should change to "Please connect the PM." If it does, follow the next prompt displayed. If it doesn’t, or if you are prompted for an update, read on.
To facilitate communication between Concept2 monitors and iOS devices, the iConnectConcept2 cable itself runs firmware. This is separate from the firmware running the Concept2 monitors. The cable firmware is the brain that allows communication between the two devices (the PM and the iOS device) to occur.
When you first plug the iConnectConcept2 cable into the iOS device, it will check for current firmware and prompt you if an update is needed. If you get this prompt:
If you weren’t prompted for a cable firmware update, or if you were and you completed it, and “Please Connect the PM” still does not appear, take the following steps:
When a PM is successfully connected, ErgData will display “PM Connected.” Otherwise, it will continue to display “Please Connect the PM.” If you have plugged the iConnectConcept2 cable into both devices, but ErgData doesn’t recognize the connection, take the following steps:
Make sure the USB plug is oriented correctly (see image) and is not plugged into one of the networking RJ45 jacks.
When doing an interval workout the monitor appears to freeze after a certain number of intervals.
You are using ReRow/ReSki. This repeats a prior workout with the PaceBoat/PaceSkier set to the speed of the earlier workout. ReRow/ReSki workouts will only have the same number of intervals as the original. If you want to do a larger number of intervals, you will need to create a new interval workout.
These error codes are associated with the LogCard or the PM Memory if no LogCard is used.
This error code indicates there is a problem with the LogCard format.
Check that you are not trying to use a SkiErg LogCard with an indoor rower or vice versa. Each type of LogCard is formatted specifically for its intended machine (SkiErg or indoor rower). Look at the front of the LogCard to determine what kind of card it is.
Your LogCard's information may be damaged and need repair. You can do this using the Concept2 Utility.
This error occurs when the PM cannot properly compute the drag factor.
Several situations can cause an error code 50:
If you are getting an error code 50, here are some steps to take:
For monitors on indoor rowers, ensure that your monitor is correctly programmed for the indoor rower model on which it’s installed: From the Main Menu select More Options > Utilities > Product ID. Look at what appears next to "Model." This should be D or D/E for Model Ds, and D/E for Model E and Dynamic Indoor Rowers. (For reference, D/E will also be listed for SkiErgs, but this procedure applies to indoor rowers only.) If you have retrofitted a monitor to an older indoor rower, this should read C, B or A according to the indoor rower you have. If this doesn't match the indoor rower model you have, take the following steps:
Note: If you change the monitor batteries, you may need to follow this procedure again.
If the problem persists after performing these steps, contact Concept2 for assistance.
These error codes occur when the monitor is being used with external or third-party software.
Error codes 120- through 129- occur when the monitor is being used with external or third-party software. If you receive this error, you should update the monitor firmware. With the exception of Concept2 ErgData, this error could also indicate a problem with the third-party software and not the monitor. If updating the monitor firmware does not resolve the issue, please report the problem to the software vendor.
For instructions on how to update your monitor firmware, please visit the appropriate page: PM4
This error code applies only when the rechargeable battery pack is in use with the PM4.
This error occurs when powering up the performance monitor.
Concept2 recommends updating the firmware in the monitor to the latest version. In the meantime, use one of the following resolutions to fix the problem.
This error code is a result of damaged pins inside the RJ45 jack, usually caused by inserting a non-RJ45 plug into this port.
If this monitor is being used for racing, it is recommended that you replace the monitor.
If this monitor is being used for home use, you can separate the pins inside the RJ45 jacks or continue using the monitor even though the error persists.
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