Gaussian Common Errors and Solutions - Zhe Wang
Gaussian Common Errors and Solutions - Zhe Wang
Please use “Searching” function of your browser to quickly Jnd what you want. Click the error message in
table can get you to the solution directly. Last update at 2024-2-8. This blog is summarized from several web
informations I collected. Some views are my own. Sources:1, 2 (by liyuanhe).)
ntrex1
Description
%chk=C:\Gaussian\jobs\TS.chk
ntrex1
Explanation
Fixing
----------
#p sp freq
----------
Illegal ITpye or MSType generated by parse.
Error termination via Lnk1e in l1.exe
Explanation
This is an input error. Routine section has illegal speciJcation. In this example, sp can not use with freq at same time.
Fixing
Check your input Jle, use correct keywords and routine line speciJcation.
QPErr
------------------
#p m06-2x/6-31g(d)
------------------
QPErr --- A syntax error was detected in the input file.
#p M06-2X/6-31G(d)
'
Last state= "GCL"
TCursr= 3656 LCursr= 7
Error termination via Lnk1e in l1.exe
Explanation
This is an input error. Keyword or syntax error(s) occurred in input Jle, the error is marked with ‘.
Fixing
C -1.21995 2.13345 0.
End of file in ZSymb.
Error termination via Lnk1e in l101.exe
Explanation
This is an input error. Gaussian can not Jnd the Z-matrix. There are two common causes:
1. You may have omitted the blank line at the end of the geometry speciJcation.
2. You may have intended to get the Z-matrix and parameters from the checkpoint Jle, but forgot to type geom=check .
Fixing
or
Symbolic Z-matrix:
End of file in GetChg.
Error termination via Lnk1e in l101.exe.
Explanation
This is an input error. Gaussian can not interpert charge/multiplicity line: ask for an interger but string was given. There are two common
causes:
Fixing
-------------------
Title Card Required
-------------------
Symbolic Z-matrix:
Charge = 0 Multiplicity = 1
Input Error Input Error Input Error Input Error Input Error Input Error
Please fix the molecule specification section of your input and try again.
Input Error Input Error Input Error Input Error Input Error Input Error
Explanation
This is an input error. Gaussian can not Jnd the molecule speciJcation section. There are two common causes:
1. Something happened when making input Jle that no molecule speciJcation section is included.
2. You may have intended to get the Z-matrix and parameters from the checkpoint Jle, but forgot to type geom=check .
Fixing
Check your input Jle, add molecule speciJcation section or add geom=check .
Explanation
This is an input error. You have typed in a variable name (in the above example, H3NNN ) that is not in the Z-matrix.
Fixing
This is an input error. You forgot to add a variable in your Z-matrix to your list. In the above example, it is a variable which deJnes atom
#15.
Fixing
Unknown center X
Error termination via Lnk1e in l101.exe.
Explanation
This is an input error. You are trying to deJne an atom in a Z-matrix using another non-existent atom (in the above example, X)
Fixing
O2WXC 90.
Attempt to redefine unrecognized symbol "O2WXC".
Error termination via Lnk1e in l101.exe.
Explanation
This is an input error. You are attempting a geom=modify , but a variable whose value you are attempting to replace is not in the
checkpoint Jle.
Fixing
Explanation
Performing calculations that require restricted optimization (e.g., F and S with opt=modredundant , QST2 , etc.), Optimizer does not know
how to take the structural initial guesses under the current constraints.
Fixing
or
GradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGradGrad
Berny optimization.
Using GEDIIS/GDIIS optimizer.
Linear angle in Bend.
Error termination via Lnk1e in l103.exe
or
or
Explanation
The internal coordinates have inherent limitations, and this problem may occur when several atoms line up exactly during the optimization
process.
Fixing
1. Using opt=cartesian :This method solves the problem completely in principle, but opt=cartesian increases the number of steps
needed to optimize to the corresponding minima in most cases. If the system is not very time-consuming, this keyword can be used
directly until the optimization converged. If the system is time-consuming, you can use opt=cartesian , after 2 or 3 optimization
steps, save the optimized structure, redo the optimization with default opt method. Please be noted that, this method is not suitable
when using opt=modredundant keyword.
2. Sometimes re-opt the Jnal structure directly can solve this problem, Gaussian actually adds some linear bend automatically for
atoms close to the line, but it doesn’t always work.
Explanation
This error is seems to be a bug of Gaussian somehow when doing freq job. Frequencies gave NaN instead of numbers.
Fixing
Take the structure in the last step of geometry optimization, and submit the structure for opt freq again.
Explanation
The rational function optimization was not successful during a linear search. Most likely the Hessian is no longer valid.
Fixing
For example:
Explanation
This error sometimes occurs when doing transition state optmization using opt=QST2 or opt=QST3 .
Fixing
Explanation
Fixing
Error in INITNF
NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-NEF-
NUMERICAL EIGENVECTOR FOLLOWING MINIMUM SEARCH
INITIALIZATION PASS
************************************************
** ERROR IN INITNF. NUMBER OF VARIABLES ( 0) **
** INCORRECT (SHOULD BE BETWEEN 1 AND 50) **
************************************************
Explanation
Optimization using a non-resolved gradient method without explicitly declaring variables, like CCSD(T).
Fixing
Explanation
Convergence did not meet in default iteration cycles, always happen in IRC calculations.
Fixing
Add maxcycl=N in IRC keywords to increasing the number of cycles. If not work, use other algorithms to compute IRC like IRC=LQA .
Explanation
The default IRC algorithm, HPC in Gaussian needs to be recalibrated in order to smooth the curve, but it often has the problem of non-
convergence of the correction step. When switching to the GS2 algorithm, its restricted optimization sometimes does not converge either.
Fixing
Explanation
This can be an input error. At least two atoms are too close together, with the list given above. Rarely, this can be a program error,
particularly when one of the distances is NaN. This can happen when trying to optimize diatomics and you start of with too large a
distance.
Fixing
You will need to check variables and the Z-matrix of the atoms in question to make sure there are no atoms close together. This can be a
result of a missing minus sign in a torsion angle for molecules with planes of symmetry, in which the two atoms related by the plane of
symmetry are now conincident, that is, they have distance 0 between them.
Explanation
There are at least two atoms have very close distance (longer than 0 but much smaller than a normal distance).
Fixing
Check your structure. If the short distance is necessary for some reason, use geom=nocrowd to pass the atomic distance check.
Stoichiometry CdH14O7(2+)
Framework group C2[C2(CdO),X(H14O6)]
Deg. of freedom 30
Full point group C2 NOp 2
Omega: Change in point group or standard orientation.
Explanation
During the optimization process, either the standard orientation or the point group of the molecule has changed. If the former, a
visualization program will show this as a sudden vipping of the structure, typically by 180 degrees. This error is a lot less common since
Gaussian 03 was released.
Fixing
1. This can indicate that your Z-matrix is not correctly speciJed, if you go from a point group (e.g.: C2v) to a subgroup of the point
group (C2 or Cs or C1).
2. If the point group here is correct, it could indicate that your starting structure had too high symmetry and you should desymmetrize
it.
Explanation
You have requested a full optimization (FOpt), including checking the variables to make sure the correct number are present. The check
indicates that there is an error.
Fixing
If NDOF is less than NVar, then it means that the molecule is being run in a lower symmetry than it actually is, and you should consider
running it with higher symmetry. If NVar is less than NDOF, it usually means that your Z-matrix has too many constraints, not appropriate
to the actual symmetry. You can bypass the check using Opt instead of FOpt, but this is not recommended.
Explanation
This is an input error. You are attempting to read in a general basis set but you forgot to put in the basis set.
Fixing Put in the basis set, or remove the gen from the route line and specify an internal basis set.
Explanation
This is an input error. The effective core potential (ECP) was omitted.
Fixing
Add the deJnition for the ECP, if you already diJned ECP, check whether you omitted the blank line between basis sets and the ECP-
deJnition.
Current geometry included atoms which are not supported by current basis set. For example, the 6-31G basis set only support H-Kr.
Fixing
No Q value available
Description
Explanation
Ghost atom Bq could not calculated with dispersion correction like em keyword and DFT functionals which including dispersion correction
like wb97XD , B97D .
Fixing
When ghost atom is needed in calculations, do not use em or empiricaldispersion keywords. If DFT functionals like wb97XD must be
used, include IOp(3/124)=4 keyword to force the program not use dispersion correction.
Explanation
The combination of multiplicity and electrons is illegal. As in this example, 1 electron has spin multiplicity of double (2), it could not be
assigned as singlet (1).
Fixing
Check the charge and spin multiplicity is correct or not, remember that: Spin multiplicity = N(alpha electons) - N(beta electrons) + 1. If you
found the combination of atoms and charge is correct but multiplicity is wrong, please check your input Jle with text editor, Jnd whether ?
s is included in the molecule speciJcation section, if yes, delete it/them.
Explanation
Fixing
1. Make sure you are using the correct functions with D3(BJ) correction. For example, the Minnesota functionals series does not
support D3BJ.
2. Use another functions, or do not use dispersion correction.
3. Custom dispersion correction parameters from reported articles.
or
Explanation
When using dispersion correction or DFT functions with built-in dispersion correction, but the program does not have the parameters for
speciJed elements.
Fixing
Explanation
You are reading in a general basis set, but the atom speciJed (in the above example, ic2) does not match any standard atomic symbol.
This can also happen in a link job if a previous step uses default coordinates (which wipes the Z-matrix) and then you try to modify the Z-
matrix with geom=modify . The Z-matrix variable section is ignored, but Gaussian may attempt to interpret it as basis set information.
Fixing
Inconsistency #2 in MakNEB
Description
Explanation
This is an input error. You have had a change in point group, and you speciJed iop=(2/15=4,2/16=2,2/17=7) to try to avoid program
crashing.
Fixing
Explanation
You are reading in a molecular-orbital guess from the checkpoint Jle, but the projection from the old to the new basis set has failed. This
can happen if certain pseudopotential basis sets (CEP-121G*) are used with polarization functions where no polarization functions
actually exist. In some cases Gaussian uses placeholder polarization functions with zero exponent.
Fixing
1. Don’t use CEP-121G*, use CEP-121G for the elements in question. They are the same for many elements.
2. A workaround is not to use the guess.
MM microiterations failed
Description
MM microiterations failed.
Error termination via Lnk1e in l402.exe
Explanation
The initial geometry is bad, the intermolecular distance is too close, and it may cause misjudgment of the bonding relationship.
Fixing
Explanation
Please check this post for solutions towards SCF not converged problem.
or
Explanation
The integral not enough, under DFT calculations with some basis sets.
Fixing
Check the input Jle, whether there was some miss in basis set or unreasonable structure. If not, use one of following keywords:
Convergence failure
Description
Explanation
Fixing
Delete keywords like SCF=QC , SCF=XQC , SCF=YQC and submit to calculation again.
Explanation
The radius of the corresponding element is not built-in when Jtting the electrostatic potential using pop=CHELPG .
Fixing
The lines above will be a Z-matrix, above which will contain lines such as:
Explanation
Error in Z-materix description. In this example, it means that the Gaussian job terminated abnormally because an angle x in the Z-matrix
changed to become outside the allowed range of 0 < x < 180.
Fixing
This can happen if there are large geometry changes in a molecule, especially one composed of interacting fragments. Re-deJne the Z-
matrix, or use a different coordinate system.
Explanation
Gaussian will do frozen core approximation on post-HF, doubly-hybrid functions and TD-SCF calculations, this approximation sometimes
introduced error.
1. Use (full) option in keyword, for example, MP2 -> MP2(full), CCSD(T) -> CCSD(T,full).
2. Use IOp(8/11=1) to ignore the frozen core error. DO NOT forget to check whether the result if reasonable or not after calculation.
Fatal Problem
Description
In TDDFT, post-HF, when doing the integral transform involving the energy difference of the molecular orbitals as the denominator, if the
molecular orbital gap is too small, the denominator is close to 0, and the result is a large number, which will lead to the problem of
numerical instability.
Fixing
Since no reproducible example could be found, the following solutions are only speculative and not fully veriJed.
1. IOp(8/11=1) prevents the task from being terminated as soon as this warning occurs, and only prints out the warning and
proceeds to the next operation. But remember to check the reasonableness of the result yourself.
2. Changing the DFT function to one with a higher HF component may solve the problem (increase the gap).
KLT.ge.NIJTC in GetRSB
Description
Explanation
The MP2 calculation has failed. It may be related to the pseudopotential problem above.
Fixing
Don’t use CEP-121G*, use CEP-121G for the elements in question. They are the same for many elements.
MAX. CYCLES
Description
Iteration Nr. 50
**********************
DD1Dir will call FoFMem 1 times, MxPair= 2
NAB= 1 NAA= 0 NBB= 0.
Norm of the A-vectors is 4.0812478D-03 conv= 1.00D-05.
RLE energy= -0.0380878830
DE(Corr)= -0.37790236E-01 E(CORR)= -1.1531999202 Delta=-1.55D-03
NORM(A)= 0.10071894D+01
*************
*MAX. CYCLES*
*************
Largest amplitude= 4.58D-02
Error termination via Lnk1e in l913.exe
or
Explanation
Gaussian solves CISD, CCSD and CCSD(T) using some iterative method, and that iterative process failed to converge, either within the
default cycle (50 steps) or within a set cycle.
Fixing
As shown in the line marked by >>>> below, the CCSD / CISD correlation energy DE(corr) after each iteration will be output during the
calculation process, and the CCSD will also output the energy change of the current iteration. It is necessary to observe whether there is a
stable convergence of the former to a certain value, and whether the latter is converging to 0 to determine whether there is a trend of
convergence or not.
**********************
DD1Dir will call FoFMem 1 times, MxPair= 380
NAB= 190 NAA= 0 NBB= 0.
Norm of the A-vectors is 1.2424967D-05 conv= 1.00D-05.
RLE energy= -1.1041652032
>>> DE(Corr)= -1.1041652 E(CORR)= -236.55647322 Delta=-7.56D-08
NORM(A)= 0.11814199D+01
Iteration Nr. 12
**********************
If the above energies have a tendency to converge, increase the maximum value of CCSD, CCSD(T), CISD iterative loop, the default is 50, it
should be larger than this value, such as CCSD(T, maxcyc=100) . If the energies oscillate, we should Jrstly check whether the structure
and the reference state are reasonable; in addition, we can try to Jne-tune the structure and change the basis set.
Explanation
Fixing
Increase memory using %mem , or decrease the number of CPU core using %nprocshared .
Explanation
This task requires Gaussian to compute the hyperpolarizability using the LC-wPBE function. The polar task requires 3rd-order analytic
derivatives to compute the hyperpolarizability and the default assumption is that DFT methods have 3rd-order analytic derivatives.
Fixing
Use a method with third-order derivatives; or make the program compute 3rd-order analytic derivatives numerically.
FullF1: Do perturbations 1 to 3.
>>> SCF Polarizability for W= 0.000000:
>>> 1 2 3
>>> 1 0.311786D+02
>>> 2 0.214915D+01 0.273009D+02
>>> 3 -0.264577D-04 0.351431D-04 0.193900D+02
Isotropic polarizability for W= 0.000000 25.96 Bohr**3.
No func 3rd derivs with HSE.
Error termination via Lnk1e in l1002.exe.
Explanation
Fixing
Explanation
Increase memory using %mem , or decrease the number of CPU core using %nprocshared .
This error requires checking the output Jle for additional information. Please search up from the end of output Jle for Optimization stop, in
a few pages above, the following lines appear:
Optimization stopped.
-- Wrong number of Negative eigenvalues: Desired= 1 Actual= 4
-- Flag reset to prevent archiving.
Explanation
Gaussian will check the number of negative frequency after Jnishing the TS optimization, if there is more than 1 negative frequency, the
calculation would be stopped.
Fixing
This error requires checking the output Jle for additional information. Please search up from the end of output Jle for Optimization stop, in
a few pages above, the following lines appear:
Optimization stopped.
-- Number of steps exceeded, NStep= 100
-- Flag reset to prevent archiving.
Explanation
This means that the Gaussian job terminated abnormally for some reason internal to Gaussian. The most common cause is that a
geometry optimization has not converged.
Fixing
Open the output Jle in GaussView, check whether the optimization steps is shaking. If not, redo the optimization with the last geometry,
and use keyword opt=maxcycle=n (n is 2 or 3 times of current number of step). On the other hand, if the answer is “yes”, try following
method:
Explanation
The conversion from redundant internal coordinates to Z-matrix coordinates failed because of the dummy atoms. The geometry
optimization converged, but Gaussian couldn’t convert back to the input Z-matrix.
Fixing
Erroneous write
Description
or
fd = 4
writwa
writwa: No space left on device
or
Explanation
Typically, this occurs when you have run out of disk space. This could occur if you have exceeded your quota, if a disk is physically full, or
(more rarely) a network drive is unavailable because of a communication time out.
Fixing
Explanation
This typically happens when you try to retrieve something from the checkpoint Jle (with opt=readfc or guess=read or geom=allcheck
or geom=modify ) that is not there, either because you did not calculate it previously, or you ran out of disk space or time while running the
earlier job and the information needed wasn’t written to the checkpoint Jle.
Fixing
malloc failed
Description
Explanation
This is not strictly a Gaussian error. It typically means that the computer has run out of memory, perhaps because you asked for too much
memory in the %mem line.
Fixing
Explanation
This is a memory allocation error due to lack of memory. Gaussian handles memory in such a way that it actually uses about 1GB more
than %mem .
Fixing
The value for %mem should be at least 1 GB less than the value speciJed in the job submission script. Conversely, the value speciJed for -
-mem in your job script should be at least 1 GB greater than the amount speciJed in the %mem directive in your Gaussian input Jle. The
exact increment needed seems to depend on the job type and input details; 1 GB is a conservative value determined empirically.
Explanation
The Jle named in the third line doesn’t exist, possibly because the containing directory does not exist. This happens, for example, if you set
GAUSS_SCRDIR to a directory that doesn’t exist.
Fixing
Create the directory with mkdir, or change the deJnition of GAUSS_SCRDIR to name an existing directory.
Explanation
Fixing
Add 750 permission to the Gaussian dictionary, command: chmod -R 750 /path/to/Gaussian