--- title: "Troubleshoot: Sensor Auto Fire/Not Returning Images" description: Troubleshoot a possible hardware issue --- [Skip to content](https://help.sotacloud.com/reasons-sensors-auto-fire-or-do-not-return-images#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [Submit a Request](https://help.sotacloud.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) ![logo-black@1x](https://help.sotacloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-black@1x.png?width=475&height=119&name=logo-black@1x.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Submit a Request](https://help.sotacloud.com/kb-tickets/new) Hello. How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [SOTA Cloud Help & Support](https://help.sotacloud.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Troubleshooting](https://help.sotacloud.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en) 3. [Image Not Returning](https://help.sotacloud.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#image-not-returning) # Troubleshoot: Sensor Auto Fire/Not Returning Images ## Troubleshoot a possible hardware issue A short in the sensor cable can lead to various issues with the sensor's functionality. For instance, bending the cable in one direction may result in the sensor not returning images, while bending it in the other direction could cause the sensor to auto-return an image without radiation exposure. To test for a sensor cable problem, users can bend the cable along its entire length or wiggle it while plugged in to observe any unusual behavior, such as sensor auto-firing, failure to return an image, or the device manager intermittently recognizing the sensor. Using extension cables or USB hubs in the office setup can also affect sensor performance due to weak power signals. To avoid this, it is recommended to refrain from using extension cables longer than 1ft and ensure that USB hubs have an external power source to adequately power each port without draining power from others. Additionally, power management settings on a computer can impact sensor power supply, especially after prolonged periods of inactivity. To prevent this issue, users can access the Device Manager, navigate to Universal Serial Bus Controllers, and disable power management options for any USB hub-related entries to ensure consistent sensor power supply. ![](https://help.sotacloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-20231106-143525-png.png?width=503&height=570&name=image-20231106-143525-png.png) - [Technical Guides](https://help.sotacloud.com/technical-guides?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Practice Management](https://help.sotacloud.com/technical-guides?hsLang=en#practice-management) - [I/O Cameras](https://help.sotacloud.com/technical-guides?hsLang=en#i-o-cameras) - [Hardware FAQ](https://help.sotacloud.com/technical-guides?hsLang=en#hardware-faq) - [SOTA Cloud General Support Guides](https://help.sotacloud.com/technical-guides?hsLang=en#sota-cloud-general-support-guides) - [Sensor Install](https://help.sotacloud.com/technical-guides?hsLang=en#sensor-install) - [Bridge/Integration](https://help.sotacloud.com/technical-guides?hsLang=en#bridge-integration) - [Installation](https://help.sotacloud.com/technical-guides?hsLang=en#installation) - [Troubleshooting](https://help.sotacloud.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Image Not Returning](https://help.sotacloud.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#image-not-returning) - [File Sharing](https://help.sotacloud.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#file-sharing) - [TWAIN](https://help.sotacloud.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#twain) - [Updates](https://help.sotacloud.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#updates) - [Errors](https://help.sotacloud.com/troubleshooting?hsLang=en#errors) - [SOTA Cloud Premium Features](https://help.sotacloud.com/sota-cloud-premium-features?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Premium Referral Module](https://help.sotacloud.com/sota-cloud-premium-features?hsLang=en#premium-referral-module) - [Patient Records](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Train the Technician](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#train-the-technician) - [How-To Guides](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#how-to-guides) - [Troubleshoot Guides](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#troubleshoot-guides) - [Merge Exams](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#merge-exams) - [Image Retake](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#image-retake) - [Reassign Exam](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#reassign-exam) - [Practice Management Bridge](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#practice-management-bridge) - [Exams](https://help.sotacloud.com/patient-records?hsLang=en#exams) - [Settings & Security](https://help.sotacloud.com/settings-security?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Settings & Security](https://help.sotacloud.com/settings-security?hsLang=en#settings-security) - [Default Devices](https://help.sotacloud.com/settings-security?hsLang=en#default-devices) - [Multi Factor](https://help.sotacloud.com/settings-security?hsLang=en#multi-factor) - [System Requirements](https://help.sotacloud.com/settings-security?hsLang=en#system-requirements) - [File Sharing & Printing](https://help.sotacloud.com/file-sharing-printing?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Text Templates](https://help.sotacloud.com/file-sharing-printing?hsLang=en#text-templates) - [Export Exam](https://help.sotacloud.com/file-sharing-printing?hsLang=en#export-exam) - [Import Exams](https://help.sotacloud.com/file-sharing-printing?hsLang=en#import-exams) - [Print Exams](https://help.sotacloud.com/file-sharing-printing?hsLang=en#print-exams) - [Patient Share](https://help.sotacloud.com/file-sharing-printing?hsLang=en#patient-share) - [Image Viewing](https://help.sotacloud.com/file-sharing-printing?hsLang=en#image-viewing) - [Layouts & Templates](https://help.sotacloud.com/layouts-templates?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Add a Place Holder](https://help.sotacloud.com/layouts-templates?hsLang=en#add-a-place-holder) - [Compare Exams](https://help.sotacloud.com/layouts-templates?hsLang=en#compare-exams) - [Custom Layouts](https://help.sotacloud.com/layouts-templates?hsLang=en#custom-layouts) - [Layouts](https://help.sotacloud.com/layouts-templates?hsLang=en#layouts) - [Image Quality](https://help.sotacloud.com/image-quality?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Tube Head Settings](https://help.sotacloud.com/image-quality?hsLang=en#tube-head-settings) - [Filter Tuning](https://help.sotacloud.com/image-quality?hsLang=en#filter-tuning) - [Exam Options](https://help.sotacloud.com/exam-options?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Annotations](https://help.sotacloud.com/exam-options?hsLang=en#annotations) - [Measure Tool](https://help.sotacloud.com/exam-options?hsLang=en#measure-tool) - [Onboarding Reference Guides](https://help.sotacloud.com/onboarding-reference-guides?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Installation](https://help.sotacloud.com/onboarding-reference-guides?hsLang=en#installation) - [Conversion](https://help.sotacloud.com/onboarding-reference-guides?hsLang=en#conversion) - [Offline Capture](https://help.sotacloud.com/offline-capture?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Offline Capture](https://help.sotacloud.com/offline-capture?hsLang=en#offline-capture) - [Bridge & Integrations](https://help.sotacloud.com/bridge-integrations?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Bridge/Integrations](https://help.sotacloud.com/bridge-integrations?hsLang=en#bridge-integrations) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://help.sotacloud.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos%20+%20Images/Logos/SotaCloudLogo_LightBG%20(1)-1.png?width=134&height=24&name=SotaCloudLogo_LightBG%20(1)-1.png "Chill listening crop-3")](http://www.sotacloud.com) sotacloud.com Help Center Copyright © 2026, SOTA Cloud