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Plugin Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions for the AstroManager N.I.N.A. plugin.

Connection Issues

Plugin Won't Connect

Symptoms: - Connection status shows red/disconnected - "Unable to connect" error

Solutions:

  1. Check Internet Connection
  2. Verify you can access https://api.astro.sleeman.at

  3. Try accessing AstroManager web app

  4. Verify Login

  5. Log out and log back in

  6. Check your account is active (not expired)

  7. Check Firewall

  8. Ensure N.I.N.A. can make outbound HTTPS connections

  9. Add exception for N.I.N.A. if needed

  10. Restart N.I.N.A.

  11. Close completely
  12. Reopen and try again

Frequent Disconnections

Symptoms: - Connection drops periodically - Status fluctuates between connected/disconnected

Solutions:

  1. Check Network Stability
  2. Test network for packet loss

  3. Use wired connection if possible

  4. Adjust Heartbeat Interval

  5. Increase heartbeat timeout in settings

  6. Check Power Settings

  7. Ensure computer doesn't sleep
  8. Check USB power management

Scheduler Issues

No Targets Available

Symptoms: - Scheduler reports "No targets available" - Loop exits immediately

Solutions:

  1. Check Scheduled Targets
  2. Verify you have active targets in AstroManager

  3. Check targets aren't all paused or complete

  4. Verify Observability

  5. Check targets are above minimum altitude

  6. Verify moon distance requirements

  7. Check Observatory

  8. Ensure correct observatory selected in plugin

  9. Verify observatory coordinates are correct

  10. Check Time

  11. Verify computer time is correct
  12. Check timezone settings

Wrong Target Selected

Symptoms: - Scheduler picks unexpected target - Priority seems ignored

Solutions:

  1. Review Priorities
  2. Check target priorities in AstroManager

  3. Higher priority (lower number) should be preferred

  4. Check Altitude

  5. Target must be observable

  6. Scheduler prefers higher altitude when similar priority

  7. Verify Goals

  8. Target needs incomplete imaging goals
  9. Check goals aren't already at 100%

Target Switches Too Often

Symptoms: - Scheduler frequently changes targets - Short imaging runs per target

Solutions:

  1. Check Meridian Settings
  2. Verify meridian buffer settings

  3. Targets may be crossing meridian

  4. Review Priorities

  5. Multiple high-priority targets competing

  6. Consider adjusting priorities

  7. Check Goal Counts

  8. Small goal counts complete quickly
  9. Increase goal frame counts

Exposure Issues

Exposures Not Counting

Symptoms: - Frames captured but count not updating - Progress stays at 0%

Solutions:

  1. Check Sync Status
  2. Verify plugin is connected

  3. Check "Report Completed" is enabled

  4. Verify Target Match

  5. Ensure captured target matches scheduled target

  6. Check coordinates are close enough

  7. Manual Count Adjustment

  8. Update counts manually in AstroManager if needed

Wrong Filter/Exposure

Symptoms: - Plugin uses unexpected filter - Exposure time incorrect

Solutions:

  1. Check Imaging Goals
  2. Verify filter names match N.I.N.A. profile

  3. Check exposure times in AstroManager

  4. Verify Filter Wheel Setup

  5. Filter names must match exactly
  6. Case-sensitive matching

Performance Issues

Plugin Causes Lag

Symptoms: - N.I.N.A. becomes slow when plugin active - UI freezes periodically

Solutions:

  1. Reduce Sync Frequency
  2. Increase sync intervals in settings

  3. Disable unnecessary equipment sync

  4. Disable Thumbnails

  5. Turn off thumbnail upload

  6. Reduces processing load

  7. Check Log Level

  8. Set to "Info" or "Warning" (not Debug/Trace)

High Memory Usage

Symptoms: - N.I.N.A. memory grows over time - System becomes slow

Solutions:

  1. Update Plugin
  2. Install latest version

  3. Check for memory leak fixes

  4. Restart Periodically

  5. Restart N.I.N.A. between sessions
  6. Clears accumulated memory

Log Analysis

Finding Logs

Logs are located at: 

%LOCALAPPDATA%\NINA\Logs\

Look for AstroManager-related entries in the main N.I.N.A. log.

Enabling Debug Logging

  1. Go to Options → AstroManager
  2. Set Log Level to "Debug"
  3. Reproduce the issue
  4. Check logs for details
  5. Return to "Info" level after

Common Log Messages

Message Meaning
Connection established Successfully connected
Heartbeat sent Keep-alive successful
Target selected: [name] Scheduler chose a target
Exposure completed Frame finished and reported
Connection lost API connection dropped
Retry attempt [n] Attempting to reconnect

Getting Help

Before Contacting Support

  1. Check this page for common solutions
  2. Enable debug logging and reproduce the issue
  3. Collect logs from the session
  4. Note your versions (N.I.N.A., plugin, Windows)

What to Include

  • N.I.N.A. version
  • Plugin version
  • Windows version
  • Description of issue
  • Steps to reproduce
  • Relevant log excerpts

Contact