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4220

Group not ready / group not ready for new task

Beckhoff · TwinCAT 2 NC

What does 4220 mean?

The NC group received a new motion task while it was still actively processing a previous task. This request is rejected to prevent interruption of the existing task and maintain motion integrity. Attempting to force a new task can lead to unpredictable motion, collisions, or data inconsistencies.

Common Causes

  • Attempting to start a new motion command on a group before the previous command has fully completed (e.g., sending G01 before G00 finishes).
  • Insufficient PLC handshake logic to confirm motion completion (e.g., not waiting for 'MotionDone' flag from NC).
  • Rapid succession of motion commands from an external HMI or PLC without proper sequencing or task queuing.
  • Excessively long motion profiles or complex interpolated movements delaying actual group readiness.
  • Firmware bug causing delayed status updates for group readiness signals to external systems.

Repair Steps & Checklist

Click steps to track your progress.

  1. 1

    1. Modify the NC program or PLC logic to ensure each motion command completes before the next one is issued (e.g., poll 'Group[n].State == IDLE').

  2. 2

    2. Implement a delay or handshake signal (e.g., using a 'MotionComplete' PLC bit) to synchronize new motion tasks.

  3. 3

    3. Verify the NC group's status in the diagnostics (e.g., 'Group[n].CurrentTask' or 'Group[n].Status') before issuing new commands.

  4. 4

    4. Review the NC program for unintended rapid command execution, especially during nested subroutines or loops.

  5. 5

    5. Optimize motion profiles by checking acceleration/deceleration parameters (e.g., P6-10 'AccTime', P6-11 'DecTime') to ensure timely completion.

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Verified technical data. Last updated: April 2026

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4000Internal error4001Memory error4002Nc retain data error (persistent data)
Source: Beckhoff TwinCAT 2 NC
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