No program on the controller!

Safety CPU Boot Failure / No Program Loaded

ABB · AC500

What does No program on the controller! mean?

The safety CPU fails to enter RUN mode after power-on, with the DIAG LED on and no boot project loaded. This often occurs if the power-off to power-on pause is less than 1.5 seconds, triggering a power dip detection that prevents the existing boot project from loading.

Common Causes

  • Insufficient power-off duration (less than 1.5 seconds) between power cycles, preventing proper CPU initialization and project loading.
  • Absence of a valid boot project stored in the safety CPU's non-volatile memory (e.g., due to failed download or memory corruption).
  • Defective or improperly seated memory card (e.g., SD card) if used for boot project storage.
  • Internal hardware fault in the safety CPU preventing it from booting up the operating system or loading the application.

Repair Steps & Checklist

Click steps to track your progress.

  1. 1

    Power off the safety CPU completely (remove 24VDC supply) and wait for a minimum of 5 seconds before re-applying power.

  2. 2

    Download the complete safety PLC project, including the boot-up parameters, to the safety CPU.

  3. 3

    Verify the integrity and correct insertion of the memory card (if applicable) into the CPU's slot.

  4. 4

    Check the CPU's diagnostic buffer via the PLC programming software for specific boot-related error messages.

  5. 5

    If the issue persists, replace the safety CPU module with a new, programmed unit.

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Verified technical data. Last updated: March 2026

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