UniMac Industrial Washer PDA Communication Error: Clears Itself
PDA Communication Error means an error occurred during PDA communications. The Communication Error Menu appears and clears itself after 3 seconds. It is counted but not stored on the Alarms screen, and no operator action is needed.
Low: a housekeeping message that clears itself and does not affect washing.
- Code
- PDA Communication Error
- Maker
- UniMac
- Equipment
- Industrial laundry
- Applies to
- UniLinc control pocket hardmount washer-extractor (UW35-UW150, 2009-2012 manuals)
What does UniMac PDA Communication Error mean?
The UniLinc control can exchange data with a PDA, for example to load programs or collect audit information. If something goes wrong during that exchange, the control shows the Communication Error Menu for 3 seconds and then removes it by itself. The manual states that the event is counted in Total Bad PDA Communications and is not stored under Alarms (1 of 4). It has no effect on the wash cycle, which keeps running, and no action is listed. A one-off is usually an interrupted transfer: the PDA moved away, the link was blocked, or the PDA timed out. A count that climbs points to an alignment or connection problem between the PDA and the machine. It is a housekeeping message and not a machine failure. If the PDA is used to carry programs or audit data from machine to machine, a failed transfer is worth repeating until it completes, so that the machine and the PDA hold the same information. The brief display time means a bad transfer is easy to miss, which is why the count of bad communications is kept.
Affected models and control systems
UniMac UniLinc control on the UW35TV, UW60TV, UW80TV, UW100TV, UW125TV and UW150TV washer-extractors and the UWL, UWN and UWU 035-150 T3 models.
Code numbers and their meaning can change between control generations. We match the full model and control before acting on a code.
What you may notice
- PDA Communication Error on the display for a few seconds
- Message disappears by itself
- Wash cycle continues normally
- Count of bad PDA communications rises
Possible causes
Likely causes — what usually sits behind PDA Communication Error on this control. A technician confirms which one it is before any part is replaced.
- Error occurred during PDA communications
- PDA moved or lost alignment during the transfer
- Link blocked or interrupted
- PDA battery or software problem
- Repeated transfers attempted too quickly
Safe checks before calling for service
- Wait for the message to clear after 3 seconds.
- Try the PDA transfer again, holding the PDA steady.
- Make sure the PDA battery is charged.
- Check the PDA link is not blocked.
- If it fails repeatedly, note the count and tell the technician.
How a technician diagnoses PDA Communication Error
- Read Total Bad PDA Communications.
- Test the PDA transfer with a known good PDA.
- Check the alignment and the link between PDA and machine.
- Check PDA software and settings.
- Replace the interface or PDA if the failures persist.
- The link hardware is part of the control.
- PDA settings should match the machine's configuration.
- A control interface repair involves line-voltage cabinet areas.
How PDA Communication Error differs from similar codes
PDA Communication Error is not stored in Alarms. Machine errors such as SPI Error are.
Technical reference
- Maker documentation
- UniMac owner support
- Edition
- Part No. F8138801R3, September 2009
- Models / control
- UniLinc control pocket hardmount washer-extractor (UW35-UW150, 2009-2012 manuals)
- Section
- Diagnostic: Machine Errors (pp. 56-59)
- Checked
- October 2026
We use the maker's document to read the code and do not reproduce it. Always confirm the complete model and control before applying these steps.
Related UniMac industrial laundry error codes
Does the machine stop?
No. The message clears itself and the cycle continues.
Where is it counted?
In Total Bad PDA Communications.
Is it in the alarm list?
No. The manual says it is not stored on Alarms (1 of 4).
Need help with UniMac PDA Communication Error?
A technician confirms the cause on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.