Cannot measure overall loss - DTX Compact OTDR Module

There are two causes for this message:


When using the DTX Compact OTDR, you may see the following screen indicating that the overall loss could not be made.

OTDR Cannot Measure Overall Loss Message

Pressing F2 will provide you with the final test result - in this case there is no PASS or FAIL, but a WARNING.

OTDR Results with Warning

The warning indicates that the OTDR could not make an overall loss measurement on one or both wavelengths.

At 850 nm - The OTDR was able to make a loss measurement

OTDR Determine Loss


At 1300 nm - The OTDR was not able to make a loss measurement

OTDR Cant Determine Loss

This is typically caused by a bad first connector on a shorter link (< 50 m / 328 ft). However, on this occasion there is a bad splice 10 m (32 ft) after the first connector. The DTX Compact OTDR is unable to see that poor splice. (This trace was taken using the Fluke Networks Fiber Demo Box link 3-4 shown below)

Fluke Networks Fiber OTDR Demo Artifact

OTDR Demo Box your sales representative is most likely using


Looking at the same link using Fluke Networks' OptiFiber, we are able to see that bad splice.

OptiFiber OTDR Trace with Fail Result

The OptiFiber deadzone is better than the deadzone of the DTX Compact OTDR. The DTX Compact OTDR still detected that something was wrong with this link, but it was unable to be as specific as the OptiFiber.


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