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.
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 PM3 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.
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.
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 PM3 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 310 or 311 at this time.
Symptom: Diagnostics start running unexpectedly.
Resolution: Upgrade to PM3 Firmware Version 310.
Issue 1: Error code 573-1 may occur when powering up the performance monitor.
Resolution 1: Update your PM3 firmware.
Issue 2: The PM3 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 PM3 Firmware Version 306 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 PM3 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 PM3.
There are no known issues for Version 105 at this time.
Issue: When accessing certain Information and Help screens, the 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 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 PM3 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 PM3), the PM3 terminates the workout but does not return to the Main Menu.
Issue 1: There have been rare reports of LogCards being inserted and being formatted, because the PM3 thinks that the LogCard is a factory fresh card. Version 101 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 8: PM3 Firmware Version 97 is not compatible with the Concept2 Utility Version 6.10. If you are planning to use your PM3 to interact with the Concept2 Utility Version 6.10, you will need to upgrade your PM3 to PM3 Firmware Version 101 or above.
Issue 1: Variable interval workouts with no rest record the date incorrectly
Occasionally, variable interval workouts with no rest time will record the results on your LogCard with the next day's date. The problem occurs only with variable intervals with zero rest.
Issue 2: Error 65 occurs while trying to set up a workout
The PM3 workout setup screens erroneously allow you to set up a short time workout with a split time that is greater than the workout duration (that is, a 0:20 workout with a 1:00 split). This results in an Error 65. To avoid this error, ensure that the split time is not greater than the overall workout time.
Issue 3: After updating to V90 or V92 firmware, the PM3 date advances.
In some instances, the PM3 date advances one day following a firmware update to V90 or V92. If you have updated the firmware on your PM3 to V90 or V92, please check the PM3 date following the update to ensure the date is set correctly.
Issue 1: Version 82 is NOT compatible with RowPro version 1.6 and below. RowPro 1.7 will support version 82. For more information about RowPro 1.7 please go to www.digitalrowing.com.
Issue 2: If you use the "List by Type" function to display your LogCard data or to select a workout to ReRow, and you continue to row while the PM3 is sorting the data on your card, the PM3 may display an error message. Removing and reinserting the LogCard will resolve the problem.
Issue 3: The Concept2 Utility versions 1.11 and below may not work with Version 82. You may need to upgrade to a newer version of the Concept2 Utility.
Issue 4: If a LogCard reaches 100% full, there is an issue with the PM3 that may cause loss of the last workout logged and possible corruption of other data on the card. This may render some or all of the data on the LogCard unrecoverable. To avoid this problem, we suggest you get a new LogCard when the LogCard you are using indicates that it is 95% full.
Issue 1: If you do one of the following during an interval workout, you may experience incorrect interval numbering and incorrect data saved to memory or LogCard:
To avoid problems using interval workout formats, continue to row at all times throughout the work intervals.
Issue 2: 240 and 39 errors
An error code 39 may appear when you are trying to access information from your LogCard. This is an indication that data on the LogCard has been corrupted.
Occasionally, the PM3 has trouble communicating with a LogCard. This happens very infrequently, but it can occur on any version of PM3 software. Concept2 is investigating this but no root cause has of the trouble has been determined. At this point the PM3 will report a 240 error. To enable the card to communicate again, remove and reinsert the card.
A few workouts after a 240 error is encountered the PM3 may report a 39-4 error when using the LogCard List By Date feature. Other LogCard features may also result in a 39-xxx error. This is an indication that there is a problem with the data on the LogCard. In most cases, workouts continue to be logged to the LogCard but cannot be reviewed by the user.
To fix a LogCard with 39-xxx error problems, upgrade to the newest version of the Concept2 Utility. Cards with only one user will be repaired automatically; multi-user cards will require a small amount of assistance from the user. Once the card is fixed, all the workouts should be available both on the PM3 and in a spreadsheet file on the PC.
Concept2 recommends upgrading to the newest version of PM3 firmware. This version will not prevent a 240 error. If a 240 error is encountered while logging your workout to the LogCard, the PM3 will display a prompt asking you to remove the LogCard. At this point the card should be undamaged and the workout can be found in the PM3 memory. The card can be reinserted, and the workout can be copied from Memory to the LogCard.
Issue 3: When setting up a PaceBoat using calories, the PaceBoat is not set correctly when the workout begins. You can set the pace using pace units (pace per 500m) or watts units. Once the workout has begun, the units can accurately be displayed as calories using the Change Units button on the PM3.
Issue 4: This issue relates only to the retrofit PM3 for Model C ergs. The stroke output can exhibit erratic numbers that are obviously incorrect. The output can be extraordinarily high or low from stroke to stroke.
Issue 5: If a LogCard reaches 100% full, an issue is present in the PM3 which may cause loss of the last workout logged and possible corruption of other data on the card. This may render some or all of the data on the LogCard unrecoverable. To avoid this problem we suggest you get a new LogCard when the LogCard you are using indicates 95% full.
The iConnectConcept2 cable (no longer available) is used to connect a PM3, PM4 or PM5 (wired PM5 connections only) 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: PM3
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.
Stay connected