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E-2

Accu-Chek Blood Glucose Meter

Severity: Moderate

Source: OnlyErrorCodes.com — Every error code. One place.

Accu-Chek E-2 Error — Blood Sample Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

E-2 means the blood sample applied to the test strip was too small, was added too slowly, or the strip was already used. The meter could not complete the measurement. Discard the strip and repeat the test with a new strip and a fresh, sufficient blood drop.

Affected Models

  • Accu-Chek Guide
  • Accu-Chek Instant
  • Accu-Chek Aviva
  • Accu-Chek Active
  • Accu-Chek Performa

How to Fix It

  1. Discard the strip and prepare a new one

    E-2 strips cannot be reused. Eject the used strip and insert a fresh one. Wait for the blood drop symbol to appear on the display before applying blood.

  2. Apply a larger blood sample

    The most common cause of E-2 is an insufficient blood sample. Use the lancing device on the recommended depth setting and squeeze gently from the base of the finger towards the fingertip to encourage a larger drop. The strip requires a minimum of 0.6 to 1.0 microlitres of blood.

  3. Apply the blood within the fill time

    Once the blood drop symbol appears, apply blood within 5 seconds. If you wait too long, the test strip's reagent begins to dry out and will reject the sample. Have your lancet and finger ready before inserting the strip.

  4. Warm the fingertip before lancing

    Cold hands produce smaller blood drops. Wash hands with warm water and dry thoroughly before testing. Warming improves circulation and makes it much easier to obtain a sufficient drop without squeezing hard.

  5. Try an alternative test site

    The Accu-Chek Guide and some other models support alternate-site testing on the palm. If repeated E-2 errors occur from the fingertip, try using the palm pad as instructed in the meter manual for a fuller sample.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add more blood to the strip after E-2 appears?

No. Once E-2 is displayed, the test is complete and the strip must be discarded. Adding more blood to an already-rejected strip will not give a valid result. Always start with a fresh strip.

My Accu-Chek shows E-2 even when I apply a large blood drop — why?

If a visibly large blood drop still causes E-2, the strip port contacts may be dirty or the strip batch may be damaged (for example, if the vial was left open for too long). Clean the port and try a strip from a new vial.