Downtime Reasons FAQs
Choose reasons, understand codes, and manage machine availability.
| Your question | Read the answer |
|---|---|
| Who can change the downtime reasons? | Answer |
| Why is a downtime reason missing on my machine? | Answer |
| Why do new reasons appear on one machine but not another? | Answer |
| Can I use the same reason selection on several machines? | Answer |
| What does the code beside a downtime reason mean? | Answer |
| Why can I not untick this machine for a reason? | Answer |
| What happens if I delete a downtime reason? | Answer |
| The reason was created, but its machines were not saved. Should I create it again? | Answer |
| Why does the reason I chose for the current downtime disappear? | Answer |
| Can I still choose a reason just after the machine starts again? | Answer |
| Why do my downtime reason totals look different since this update? | Answer |
| Which wins, my chosen reason or the rules? | Answer |
| Why is one downtime now counted as several? | Answer |
Who can change the downtime reasons?
Only administrators can create, edit, delete, or restrict reasons. Use Machine Settings → Downtime reasons or Admin Panel → Configure Analyzers → Downtime reasons. Editing a shared reason changes it for all machines. Follow Create and Manage Downtime Reasons.
Why is a downtime reason missing on my machine?
The machine may use Only selected reasons, or an administrator may have changed the reason’s availability. Choose an available reason or ask an administrator to check the list. An open PDA page picks up changes on its next refresh; a rejected choice also updates the list. See Data Acquisition.
Why do new reasons appear on one machine but not another?
All reasons (default) includes future additions. A fixed list does not. Unticking a machine marked All reasons in Available on machines also gives it a fixed list of the other current reasons. See Machine Configuration.
Can I use the same reason selection on several machines?
Yes. Administrators can use Apply to other machines in Downtime reasons. Review the current selection and destination machines before confirming: their previous lists are replaced. Follow Create and Manage Downtime Reasons.
What does the code beside a downtime reason mean?
It is an optional company code, such as F12, that helps you recognize a reason. Codes are unique within the company and use uppercase letters. Categories group the choices; chart explanations show the full code, name, and category. See Admin Panel.
Why can I not untick this machine for a reason?
The change would leave that machine without any reason. Give it another reason first, or keep the current one ticked. See availability settings.
What happens if I delete a downtime reason?
The deletion notice shows where the reason is used. Past downtimes remain without a replacement reason. Reason charts and reports are updated for the affected days. Reports you already received stay as they were. The reason is also removed from machine lists, downtime reason rules, defaults and breaks. Break times stay. A restricted machine list stays restricted even if it loses its last reason. To clear only one timeline label, use Remove label instead. Follow delete a shared reason.
The reason was created, but its machines were not saved. Should I create it again?
No. The reason already exists. Check the machine checklist in the same form and save again. If the machine selection changed elsewhere, review the reloaded choices before retrying. See Create and Manage Downtime Reasons.
Why does the reason I chose for the current downtime disappear?
This was a display problem fixed in v1.5.153. Your chosen reason now stays in the running downtime’s tooltip after a page refresh, even when the downtime began before the last 8 hours shown. See choose a downtime reason.
Can I still choose a reason just after the machine starts again?
Yes, if the reason tiles are still offered shortly after the restart. Your choice is saved onto the downtime that just ended. A reason chosen while the downtime was running is also kept when it ends. Follow choose a downtime reason.
Why do my downtime reason totals look different since this update?
Since November 5, 2026 (v1.5.153), Downtime reason rules apply to more idle and off downtimes when no reason was chosen by the machine operator. On machines with rules, more downtime can receive a reason, so totals by reason in reports and charts can change. Downtimes from before the update remain unchanged. See automatic rules.
Since November 6, 2026 (v1.5.155), administrators can also enable automatic break labels. After activation, eligible finished downtime can move from a rule reason to a break reason, and labelling only the break can change counts and averages. A person’s choice stays. See Break Settings.
Which wins, my chosen reason or the rules?
A reason chosen by the machine operator or set by hand takes priority. When automatic break labels are enabled, an eligible break's reason comes next. Downtime reason rules apply to the remaining idle or off time; without a matching reason, the time stays unlabelled.
Why is one downtime now counted as several?
Label only the break (recommended) can split downtime into the break and time before or after it. Each part counts separately in counts and averages by reason. Total time in each machine state stays the same. Label the whole downtime avoids that split but can hide a long breakdown under the break reason. See automatically labelled breaks.