Low sensitivity with Xevo/ QDa/ SQD2 due to contaminated ACQUITY UPLC - WKB11015

SYMPTOMS

• Low system sensitivity
• Sensitivity with setup solution is good
• Sensitivity when running LC-MS runs is low

ENVIRONMENT

• Xevo TQ-S
• Xevo TQ-XS
• Xevo TQ MS
• Xevo TQ Absolute
• QDa

CAUSE

The ACQUITY UPLC has become contaminated, leading to ion suppression and thus much lower signals. 

FIX or WORKAROUND

Clean the UPLC using the acid/base cleaning protocol.

If 20 injections of acid/base/IPA does improve the LC-MS sensitivity then run 100 injections of acid/base/IPA.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To investigate contamination on a triple quad, it can be helpful to run a full-scan MS Run instead of an MRM.