Troubleshooting ·
Camera view is black or the lights don't turn on: check your power supply
Black camera view? Your USB-C charger probably isn't supplying 20V / 1.75A. Use the supplied adapter, or a compliant charger with nothing else plugged in.
Summary
If the camera view on your REVEAL is completely black, the instrument is almost certainly fine. The most common cause is a power supply that cannot deliver 20V. Switch to the adapter supplied in the box, or to a compliant USB-C PD adapter, and the image will return.
What you may notice
- The camera view is pitch black, even with a stone in the chamber
- The Daylight image does not appear, or the daylight light source does not turn on
- Other light sources do not turn on, or behave inconsistently
- The instrument appears to power up, but you get no usable image
Why it happens
The REVEAL is powered through its USB-C input and needs a USB-C Power Delivery (PD) supply that can provide:
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 20V |
| Current | at least 1.75A (35W or more) |
| Connector | USB-C |
The daylight LEDs need the full 20V. Many USB-C chargers, such as phone chargers, tablet chargers and power banks, only offer lower voltages like 5V, 9V or 12V. These will power the screen and electronics, but not the daylight LEDs. With no daylight light source, the chamber is dark and the camera has nothing to show, so it looks as though the camera has failed. Other light sources may also fail to work on an underpowered supply.
Some lower-wattage chargers also fall short. For example, a 30W charger commonly delivers 20V at only 1.5A, which is below the 1.75A minimum.
The fix
- 1. Use the power adapter included in the box. This is the recommended solution. It is a 45W GaN charger (model PD0657C-045A) rated for 20V / 2.25A.
- 2. If you use your own adapter, check its label. Look for the output line and confirm it lists 20V with 1.75A or higher. On the supplied adapter it reads: 20.0V ⎓ 2.25A.
- 3. Connect the adapter to the REVEAL's USB-C input, using a good quality USB-C cable.
- 4. If the adapter has more than one port, use a single port and disconnect anything else from the charger. Multi-port chargers often share their power between ports, which can lower what the REVEAL receives.
- 5. Power the instrument on again and confirm the camera view and daylight image appear.
Third-party power supplies
You are welcome to use a reputable third-party adapter, and brands such as Anker and UGREEN work well with the REVEAL 2S and 3S, as long as the adapter meets the requirements above (USB-C PD, 20V, at least 1.75A on the port you use). Examples of chargers that list a 20V / 2.25A output:
More from the Help Center
- Slow or Laggy Camera on the REVEAL Diamond Detector 3S or 2S: Is It Your Wi-Fi or the Device? — Is the camera view on your REVEAL Diamond Detector 2S slow, choppy or delayed in the myREVEAL app or on your laptop? Connect the device to a monitor first to see whether the cause is your Wi-Fi network or the device itself, then follow the steps to fix a slow connection.
- Analyzing with Reveal Diamond Detector 2S — This guide provides step-by-step instructions to conduct an analysis using the Reveal Diamond Detector 2S. Follow these steps to achieve accurate results and use the device correctly.
- Updating Your Reveal Device in the MyReveal App — This guide explains how to update your Reveal Diamond Detector 2 device using the MyReveal App. Ensure you have created a user account and added your device to the app before proceeding with the update process.
- How to Create An Account in the MyReveal App — This guide provides step-by-step instructions to create an account in the MyReveal App.