Error code E-4044
Image artefact / channel failure
Error code E-4044 indicates an image artefact with channel failure. Streaks, dark dead zones or fixed artefacts appear in the live image because individual receive channels no longer deliver clean signals. The fault clearly sits in the beamformer and the probe path. That is exactly where we start, repairing at component level instead of replacing the whole system.
What the message means
Streaks, dead zones or artefacts appear in the ultrasound image as individual channels fail.
Typical symptoms
This is how you recognise the fault in operation.
- Vertical streaks or fixed dark bands in the live image
- Dead zones where no ultrasound signal arrives
- Artefacts that persist regardless of the connected probe
- Image quality degrades gradually or fails suddenly
Possible causes
This is what experience shows is behind it.
- Faulty beamformer channels on the receive board
- Crystal defect or delamination in the probe head
- Cold solder joints or contact faults at the probe connector
- Damaged probe cable with a broken conductor
Before / after
The fault on the left, the same system after our repair on the right.
On the left the distorted live image with streaks and dropout bands, on the right the same system after beamformer and probe-path repair.
How we proceed
Diagnosis
We first determine whether the fault sits in the probe or the system by cross-testing with a reference probe. We then measure the beamformer path channel by channel and locate the failed channels on the board. So before any repair, it is clear which component is the root cause.
Repair
We restore faulty beamformer channels at component level in an electrostatically protected environment, instead of swapping the entire board. If the fault is in the probe, we recoat or repair the probe head to clinical standard. Every repair is documented with a test report and comes with a warranty, usually within 1 to 2 working days.
Affected systems
This error code is documented on 16 systems. Go to the device-specific fault page:
GE Healthcare
14 modelsAlpinion
1 modelSiemens Healthineers
1 modelFrequently asked questions about this error code
Both are possible. Streaks and dead zones are caused either by faulty beamformer channels in the system or by a crystal or cable defect in the probe. We isolate the cause with a reference probe before anything is replaced.
No. In most cases we restore the individual faulty channels at component level. That is considerably cheaper than a full module swap and is often the only available solution for older systems.
We fix E-4044.
Send us a photo of the screen, ideally via WhatsApp. We'll identify the fault, give you a realistic cost estimate upfront and tell you what to do.
A photo says more than a thousand words.
Send us a photo of the screen with the message, ideally via WhatsApp. That way we match the fault to the component right away and get back to you with a diagnosis and a fixed price, straightforward and personal.
We provide a suitable loan unit from our stock, matched to your system. Just get in touch and we'll arrange everything personally.
All error messagesIncluded with every repair
Manufacturer-independent and at component level, from the first diagnosis to the tested device back with you.
Manufacturer-independent & component-level
Test report and warranty
Usually 1 to 2 working days
Loan unit on request