Braun ThermoScan ear thermometer screen: POS, HI, LO and every other message
Braun’s instruction manual for the ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) ear thermometers names every state below. Each one has Braun’s own words in quotation marks, what Braun says to do, and a link to our page on the same symbol across other makes.
Check your thermometer’s manual — makers differ.
All 13 Braun ThermoScan screen states at a glance
| On the screen | What Braun’s manual says it means |
|---|---|
POS | Position error: the probe moved or was not seated in the ear |
LO | Below the range the thermometer reports |
HI | Above the range the thermometer reports |
Blinking lens filter symbol | No lens filter is fitted, and the thermometer will not measure without one |
Room-temperature error (drawn as a picture in the manual) | The room is too cold or too warm for the thermometer to work |
Self-check display flashing without stopping | System error |
Battery symbol, still measuring | The batteries are low but readings are still correct |
Battery symbol, no measurement | The batteries are too low to measure |
Green, yellow or red screen (AgeSmart) | Braun’s colour for the reading, set by the age group you chose |
M with a number, such as M2 | A stored reading, not a new one |
Every segment lit, then a temperature for 5 seconds | The start-up self-check, then the last reading taken |
°C / SET / °F / SET | The thermometer is in its temperature-scale setting |
OFF, then a blank screen | The thermometer is switching itself off |
Which models this covers
The manual read here is Braun Healthcare’s Asia-Pacific edition, which covers two models in one booklet. The booklet marks some steps with a model number, so not every state below appears on both models; your own model’s manual says which ones it has. Braun’s US site answered an earlier request (2026-09-29) with a bot check, so its US editions were not read.
Each state, in Braun’s words
POS Position error: the probe moved or was not seated in the ear
“If the probe has NOT been constantly placed in a stable position in the ear canal, a sequence of short beeps will sound, the ExacTemp light will go out and the display will show an error message (POS = position error).”
“The thermometer probe was not positioned securely in the ear. An accurate measurement was not possible.”
What Braun says to do: “Take care that the positioning of the probe is correct and remains stable.” “Replace lens filter and reposition. Press Start button to begin a new measurement.”
POS is not a temperature. It comes with a run of short beeps instead of the single long beep of a good reading, so you can tell the two apart without looking.
Every make: POS, ERP or Er 2. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
LO Below the range the thermometer reports
“Temperature taken is not within typical human temperature range (34 – 42.2 °C or 93.2 – 108 °F).”
“LO = too low”
What Braun says to do: “Make sure the probe tip and lens are clean and a new, clean lens filter is attached. Make sure the thermometer is properly inserted. Then, take a new temperature.”
Braun’s fixes for LO are all about how the reading was taken: its manual lists poor probe placement, a used lens filter and a dirty lens among the things that affect ear readings.
Every make: Lo on a thermometer. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
HI Above the range the thermometer reports
“Temperature taken is not within typical human temperature range (34 – 42.2 °C or 93.2 – 108 °F).”
“HI = too high”
What Braun says to do: “Make sure the probe tip and lens are clean and a new, clean lens filter is attached. Make sure the thermometer is properly inserted. Then, take a new temperature.”
Braun gives HI the same fix as LO: clean the lens, fit a new filter, insert the probe properly and measure again.
Every make: Hi on a thermometer. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
Blinking lens filter symbol No lens filter is fitted, and the thermometer will not measure without one
“The lens filter indicator will blink to signal one is needed.”
“Note: The Braun ThermoScan® will not work unless a lens filter is attached.”
“No lens filter is attached.”
What Braun says to do: “Attach new, clean lens filter.”
Braun’s manual also says to press the Eject button after each reading to throw the used filter away, so the blinking filter symbol is expected before every new measurement.
Every make: Lens filter or probe cover symbol. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
Room-temperature error (drawn as a picture in the manual) The room is too cold or too warm for the thermometer to work
“Ambient temperature is not within the allowed operating range (10 – 40 °C or 50 – 104 °F).”
What Braun says to do: “Allow the thermometer to remain for 30 minutes in a room where the temperature is between 10 and 40 °C or 50 and 104 °F.”
This is about the thermometer’s surroundings, not the person: Braun’s fix is to wait in a normal room, not to measure again at once.
Every make: Room too hot or too cold. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
Self-check display flashing without stopping System error
“System error – self-check display flashes continuously and will not be followed by the ready beep and the ready symbol.”
What Braun says to do: “Wait 1 minute until the thermometer turns off automatically, then turn on again.”
If it keeps happening, Braun’s next step is to reset the thermometer by taking the batteries out and putting them back in, and after that to contact the service centre.
Every make: Err or Er with a number. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
Battery symbol, still measuring The batteries are low but readings are still correct
“Battery is low, but thermometer will still operate correctly.”
“Insert new batteries when the battery symbol appears on the display.”
What Braun says to do: “Insert new batteries.”
The manual says the thermometer takes two 1.5 V type AA (LR 06) batteries.
Every make: Low battery symbol. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
Battery symbol, no measurement The batteries are too low to measure
“Battery is too low to take correct temperature measurement.”
What Braun says to do: “Insert new batteries.”
Braun lists this as a separate row from the low-battery warning: at this stage the thermometer will not give a reading at all.
Every make: Low battery symbol. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
Green, yellow or red screen (AgeSmart) Braun’s colour for the reading, set by the age group you chose
“NOTE: You must select an age in order to take a measurement.”
“Green Normal temperature”
“Yellow Moderate fever”
“Red High fever”
| Age range | Green: normal temperature | Yellow: moderate fever | Red: high fever |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | ≥35.8 – ≤37.4 °C (≥96.4 – ≤99.4 °F) | — | >37.4 °C (>99.4 °F) |
| >3–36 months | ≥35.4 – ≤37.6 °C (≥95.7 – ≤99.6 °F) | >37.6 – ≤38.5 °C (>99.6 – ≤101.3 °F) | >38.5 °C (>101.3 °F) |
| >36 months – adult | ≥35.4 – ≤37.7 °C (≥95.7 – ≤99.9 °F) | >37.7 – ≤39.4 °C (>99.9 – ≤103.0 °F) | >39.4 °C (>103.3 °F) |
The same number can get a different colour: by Braun’s table, 37.5 °C is green for the >36 months – adult group but red for a baby of 0–3 months. Braun’s table has no yellow band for 0–3 months. The last cell reads >103.3 °F as printed, while the yellow band ends at 103.0 °F.
Every make: Fever colours and fever symbol. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
M with a number, such as M2 A stored reading, not a new one
“This model stores the last 9 temperature measurements.”
“Each time the Mem button is pushed, the stored reading and an M is displayed to indicate each temperature measurement (eg. M2).”
“Memory mode is automatically exited by not pressing the memory button for 5 seconds.”
M2 is the second stored reading, not a mode or an error.
Every make: M, memory number or memory icon. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
Every segment lit, then a temperature for 5 seconds The start-up self-check, then the last reading taken
“During an internal self-check, the display shows all segments. Then the last temperature taken will be displayed for 5 seconds.”
“The last temperature taken is stored in its memory and will be automatically displayed for 5 seconds when it is turned on again.”
The number you see straight after switching on is the previous measurement. Wait for it to clear before you measure.
Every make: M, memory number or memory icon. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
°C / SET / °F / SET The thermometer is in its temperature-scale setting
“Your Braun ThermoScan® is shipped with the Celsius (° C) temperature scale activated.”
“Press and hold down the Power button. After about 3 seconds the display will show this sequence: ° C / SET / ° F / SET ...”
What Braun says to do: “Release the Power button when the desired temperature scale is shown.”
This only happens when the Power button is held down with the thermometer switched off; Braun says a short beep then confirms the new setting and the thermometer turns off.
Every make: °C or °F on the display. Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
OFF, then a blank screen The thermometer is switching itself off
“The Braun ThermoScan® ear thermometer turns off automatically after 60 seconds of inactivity.”
“The display will briefly flash OFF and it will go blank.”
OFF is not a fault message; it shows when you press the Power button or after a minute without use.
Source: Braun ThermoScan 7 (IRT 6520) and ThermoScan 3 (IRT 6030) infrared ear thermometers — instruction manual (Asia-Pacific, PDF) Checked 2026-10-13.
These pages report what each maker’s manual says and quote it wherever health is involved. They do not diagnose anything, they are not medical advice, and they do not tell you whether a temperature is a fever or what to do about it; only your own thermometer’s manual and your doctor or nurse can do that for the person you are looking after.
Other thermometer makers
Sources
Every state above is quoted from this document on Braun’s own website, fetched and read on the date shown. Words in quotation marks are Braun’s; everything else is ours.