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Check Electrodes Message

If you are receiving this message please know this is not a problem, it is a notification. 

  • First, you should check to see if the signal appears normal. If the raw trace has far too much noise in it, then try a new set of electrodes. It is always important to have a backup set of electrodes or a new set of electrodes, so you can see if that solves the issue. The best way to detect a broken electrode is actually to familiarize yourself with the behavior and appearance of the raw trace when a bad connection or a bad set of electrodes occurs, that way you know when you may need to try a new set of electrodes to see if things are significantly improved with the new set.

  • Next, check that each electrode is still connected properly to the scalp. Press the check impedance button to see if the lights are green or high yellow.

  • Remember that the jumper will cause the impedance meter to show a perfect connection for electrodes connected to it even if they are not well connected. Make sure to remove the jumper, or one side of the jumper to test the electrodes independently.

    How To Check Impedance By Removing One Side Of The Jumper

  • Additionally, if there is still an issue, there may be a problem with your jumper cable. A broken jumper, like a broken electrode, will act as an antenna and pick up noise. You may need to try a different one and see if that fixes the issue.

  • Make sure you are using the latest version of Cygnet, you have updated Windows and rebooted. Sometimes just updating your system can solve the issue.

  • Also, a light braid of your electrodes wires, or keeping the wires loosely together with twist ties, or gently wrapping them together -- will help your connection.
  • Sometimes simply redoing your connections on the scalp and making sure you are connected correctly can fix the problem


  • If all those are okay, then move on and keep training. It only says ?check? it does not say it?s broken. Getting the check electrode message could just mean you have a lot of background noise in your environment, or something shifted from the time the session started till now. It?s just a suggestion to check, not a warning. The message is overly cautious to get you to have a look and if an electrode might have fallen off.