The Fixture Is Not Receiving DMX
Confirm the fixture is receiving DMX. Check the fixture display or DMX-status indicator. Many fixtures show a “No DMX” message or another indication when valid DMX is not present.
Confirm the controller is sending DMX.
Try a known-good DMX cable.
Check whether other fixtures on the same DMX line receive and respond.
The best way to confirm whether DMX is reaching the fixture is to use a DMX reader or tester, if one is available.
If no fixtures on the line respond, move to console, node, or network troubleshooting.
Isolate the fixture. Disconnect anything connected to the problem fixture’s DMX OUT, then test again with only DMX IN connected.
A cable, fixture, connector, or device farther down the line can interfere with the data path.
With a DMX reader, check the DMX signal at the fixture’s DMX IN and then at its DMX OUT. The expected channel and value should still be present at DMX OUT.
If the fixture begins working, reconnect downstream devices one at a time until the problem returns.
If needed, connect the controller directly to the fixture with a known-good cable.
Contact Elation Support. If the fixture still does not indicate DMX reception when directly connected to a known-good controller output and cable, submit a Technical Support request.
The Fixture Is Receiving DMX but Does Not Respond
Verify the DMX address and patch. Confirm the fixture’s starting address matches the address patched on the controller.
Verify the DMX mode/personality. The mode selected on the fixture must match the mode selected in the controller’s fixture profile.
Make sure the fixture is set to receive DMX. Some fixtures can also receive control through wireless DMX, Art-Net, or sACN.
Test Pan and Tilt on moving lights. Pan and Tilt are useful first tests because their channels usually remain the same across Elation fixture profiles.
If Pan and Tilt work but other functions do not, the fixture is receiving and responding to DMX, but the profile or channel mapping may not be correct.
Test the fixture manually from the display. Test the functions that are not responding using the fixture’s onboard display.
If those functions work manually, continue checking the console profile and channel mapping.
If they do not work manually, the fixture may need service.