May 9, 2025

troubleshooting

troubleshooting

Troubleshooting Kilns

Click on any of the categories above to focus on particular issues. We suggest starting with the General Troubleshooting Guide unless you know what you are looking for.

 

Troubleshooting Knowledgebase

Elements: Why is the element for the powered bottom not long enough?
  • Elements in most L&L kilns are the same (exceptions are front-loaders with door elements,
    • Error Codes: Control reads higher temperature than my studio. No error code. What is wrong?

    The temperature on the display is saying 121F. It's not 121 in the studio. An independent

    Error Codes: Display Reads 2400 or CPLt When it Starts Up

    Even though you know the kiln is not that hot: this indicates a thermocouple failure.

    Error Codes: E-4, E- 4, or Err4
  • Specifically this error code means that during a cooling segment in the programmed firing,
    • Error Codes: How to fix E- 2 or Err2
  • Err2 can only happen in a hold segment.
  • One of the 3 temps has to be 50°F higher
    • Error Codes: How to fix E-1 or Err1

     

     

    Although the steps below are comprehensive, in most cases,

    Error Codes: How to fix E-22 or E- 6 error

    E-22 is the same as E-6. It means one of the thermocouple wires is connected backward.

    Here

    Error Codes: How to fix E-5 or Err 5
    Possible Reasons for E-5

    E- 5 errors read as "Err5" on controls manufactured before 2006

    Error Codes: How to fix E-d or Errd

    Note: E- d errors read as "Errd" on controls manufactured before 2006

    Basic Problem
    Error Codes: How to fix PF, E- P, E-P, ErrP
  • The ErrP (PF, E- P, E-P in some older models) comes from a reset of the processor during
    • Error Codes: List of All Error Codes
    Error codes for the DynaTrol

    Note: Many of these error codes have an ‘Err’ prefix rather

    Error Codes: What to do when you see "FAIL"?
    BASICS
  • FAIL usually just means a thermocouple is broken. It will read FAIL,&nbsp
    • Firing: Can I cool my kiln faster than it would normally?

    This question gets asked a lot around the holidays. L&L's official line on cooling the kiln

    Firing: How do hold times and heatwork affect my work?
  • There is an option to add time to the end of the program when you enter a program. Usually,
    • Firing: How do I fire with fewer kiln sections on my Jupiter Kiln?

    The outlets are numbered on the side of the control box. In this example below all the outlets

    Firing: How do I fire with fewer sections on my five section kiln?
  • Remove the lid. Open it first to remove the spring-loaded connections to the front of the lid
    • Firing: How do I fix pinholes and blistering in glazing?
  • The first thing to check is to make sure you are not putting on too thick a layer of glaze.<
    • Firing: How do I program a slump or tack or full fuse glass program?

    This program is fine for slumping, tack fusing, or full fusing, just substitute different top

    Firing: How soon after the test firing can one bisque fire?

    Immediately.

    Firing: How to Fire - General instruction panels for Dura-Fire.
  • Very Important! Be sure that the adjustments on the kiln-sitter have been properly set. See
    • Firing: Should I turn off the kiln with the On/Off Switch?
  • The kiln will automatically shut off the program after the firing.
  • If you do turn
    • Firing: Should I use the Fast Glaze or Slow Glaze or Fast Bisque or Slow Bisque?
  • When in doubt it is almost always better to fire slower than faster.
  • A slower
    • Firing: Why use slow bisque over fast bisque? Is it just a moisture issue?
  • Slow bisque is the safest to use and ensures a better firing to get out fumes and water
    • Genesis: How to Change Thermocouple Type (Type S or Type K) on a Genesis

    The type of thermocouple on a Genesis can be either Type K or Type S.

    Genesis: How to create custom program in the Genesis Control
    Step-by-step instructions on how to create a custom program with an added delay on the Genesis
    Hinge: Spring Tool for Older Easy-Fire Hinge Assembly is Missing
    hinge tool in operation
  • The special tool we used to make for assembling Easy-Fire spring-loaded hinges is no longer
    • How can my kiln section stay on all the time in my computerized kiln, even when the on/off switch is off?
    A Relay May Be Stuck Shut
  • All computerized kilns use relays to cycle the power on and off
    • How can my kiln section stay on all the time on my manual kiln even when the kiln-sitter is off?

    Usually, this means a relay is stuck and needs to be replaced.

  • On 3-phase kilns,
    • How do I control my vent fan motor with my Genesis or DynaTrol?
    See the Vent-Control Option.
    How do I keep elements from falling out of the element holders in the corner of a kiln?
  • Sometimes with thick elements, especially in the corner of a DaVinci, or Easy-Load kiln, the
    • How do I know if my vent is pulling enough air through?
  • We recommend that you have a carbon monoxide monitor installed in your kiln room to
    • How to control an external ventilation system

    Problem: You have a room ventilation system that is external to your kiln, and you want to turn

    How to handle power interruptions, blackouts, and bad electrical power grids
  • In some places, the electrical power is very inconsistent with power outages, interruptions,
    • How to move DaVinci Cord Connection to make them cooler

    Sometimes the heat around a kiln can become too much for the standard DaVinci cord connections.<

    How to pack a kiln for moving
  • Remove the stand and the bottom.
  • Put the kiln on a firm surface like a skid with a
    • How to recall at what temperature an error occurred in a DynaTrol control
    LOOK IN THE HIDDEN OTHER MENU ON YOUR DYNATROL

    This menu contains the programmable settings

    I blew up a a piece of ceramic, how do I get glaze out of the wall and off the element?
  • Dig it out of the wall carefully.
  • Use safety glasses and a Dremel to carefully
    • I want to do reduction firing with alcohol drip. Does L&L provide any coating on elements to improve lifetime in such usage?
  • We don't offer any coatings for elements. There is an ITC coating that some people claim to
    • Kiln stalls or stop heating with lots of clicking (relays) & no error code
  • Start by pressing 1,2,3 (or 1,2 on a two-ring kiln). Look for which thermocouple is lagging
    • Loading: How do I load my kiln properly?
    LOADING A KILN

    Shelf Heights
  • The bottom shelf
    • Loading:Can you use Advancer Shelves in an L&L Kiln?

    Question: I have several e28-T-3 kilns. I'm considering buying the Advancer kiln shelves made for

    Longevity: How long does a kiln last?

    That is a difficult question to answer, as the longevity of a kiln is based much more on how it

    Longevity: How should my kiln be maintained on a regular basis?
    REGULAR KILN MAINTENANCE

    To keep your kiln in top operating condition, we recommend the

    Manual Control: How deep should a Kiln Sitter Tube go into a kiln? How do you adjust the depth?
  • The Kiln Sitter Tube assembly should stick into the kiln about 1". This will allow air to
    • Manual Control: How do I adjust my kiln-sitter?
    When to inspect the kiln sitter
  • Kiln-sitters need to be adjusted and inspected before the
    • Manual Control: How to fire - general instructions for Manual Kilns
  • Very Important: Be sure that the adjustments on the kiln-sitter have been properly set. See
    • Manual Kilns: What do I do if the kiln doesn't heat at all?
  • Check many of the same things in the above section on Automatic kilns - power supply, branch
    • Programming: How do I enter a really slow program?

    On the DynaTrol you will need to use the Vary-Fire programming. On a Genesis use the Custom

    Programming: How do you program a controlled cool down in the DynaTrol or One-Touch control?

    A customer asks: I would like to program my kiln to heat to Cone 6 then cool normally to 950°F

    Programming: How high can the DynaTrol or Genesis be programmed to fire to?

    The DynaTrol or Genesis control can be programmed to fire to up to 2400° F or 1315° C. No special