Why LTO drives need cleaning
An LTO drive moves tape across its read/write heads at high speed. Over time, tiny particles from the tape surface and the environment can build up on the heads, causing read/write errors, retries and slower backups. A universal LTO cleaning cartridge fixes this. It carries a slightly abrasive cleaning tape that removes debris from the head and tape path in a few seconds.
Universal cleaning cartridges
Universal LTO cleaning cartridges (often labelled “LTO Ultrium Universal Cleaning Cartridge” or “UCC”) work in any generation of LTO drive, from LTO-1 to LTO-10, and in autoloaders and libraries. Each cartridge is good for a set number of cleans. This is typically up to 50, although some drive makers count uses differently (HPE, for example, rates its cartridges for fewer cleans). When the cartridge is used up, the drive ejects it and reports that it has expired.
Libraries identify cleaning cartridges by barcode, usually with a CLN prefix, such as CLN001L1. We can supply cleaning cartridges already labelled for your library.
How often should you clean an LTO drive?
The short answer: only when the drive asks. Modern LTO drives monitor their own error rates and raise a “clean request” when they need it. Cleaning more often than necessary causes extra head wear and does not make the drive more reliable.
- Standalone drives: clean when the drive’s clean indicator lights up or your backup software reports a clean request.
- Autoloaders and libraries: enable auto-clean in the library and keep one or two cleaning cartridges in reserved slots. The library will clean drives automatically when requested.
- Backup software: some applications can schedule cleaning after a set number of hours or mounts. Where the library supports it, use library-managed cleaning instead to avoid unnecessary cleans.
If a drive keeps asking to be cleaned, the drive itself may not be the cause. A damaged or contaminated cartridge, dust in the room or a failing drive can all trigger it. Check your environment and error logs, and contact your support provider if the problem continues.
Keep your tapes and drives healthy
- Keep the room clean, with temperature and humidity inside the drive’s operating range.
- Let cartridges acclimatise for 24 hours if they have been stored or shipped somewhere colder or warmer.
- Never touch the tape itself, and don’t drop cartridges.
- Retire cartridges that repeatedly cause errors.
Universal LTO cleaning cartridges from all the major brands, labelled for your library if you need it.