If you’ve ever watched a gas chromatograph sit idle or waited days for a technician to arrive, you’re not alone. Equipment downtime is a universal pain point in the lab world—and it comes with real consequences.

The financial consequences can be staggering. Thermo Fisher Scientific estimates that each hour of unplanned downtime can cost between $1,000 and $10,000, depending on the experiment and the value of samples at risk. In research-intensive environments, a study by the University of Utah found that prolonged downtime—lasting more than a week—can lead to project delays and additional costs ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 per incident. For many labs, these numbers represent more than inconvenience; they can shape project timelines and even influence funding.

Why does downtime drag on?

The most common culprits are delayed access to qualified repair technicians, especially those familiar with multiple brands or legacy systems. Sourcing replacement parts for older equipment is another big hurdle—sometimes turning a minor repair into a multi-week waiting game. On top of that, manufacturer service contracts often fall short, covering only certain brands or components and leaving labs to sort out the rest themselves.

For those working in a lab, these statistics are often more than numbers—they’re lived experiences. Maybe you’ve kept a log of every day an instrument fell silent, or you’ve watched the budget tighten after an unexpected repair bill. If you’d like to share your own story or join the conversation, we’re inviting lab managers and technicians to weigh in: How long does downtime typically last in your lab, and what do you wish could change?

Let’s keep the conversation going—because giving voice to these challenges is the first step to finding better solutions, together.