Module Malfunction

Module Malfunction is a mechanism (or limitation, probably) of all modules on ships. Malfunctions can be dangerous in combat or exploration. If one or more modules malfunction, it will either limit the functionality of that/those modules, or they will behave in an unwanted manner. For example: when a power plant malfunctions, its output is halved, while a hardpoint may fire on its own.

Two modules: the Pulse Disruptor and the Scramble Spectrum are only known as causing fast and easy malfunction on target, other weapons need some effort to malfunction a module. Malfunctions occur when a module is damaged but still operational. If a module is at 0% health, it will be inoperable until it is repaired.

Sources of Malfunction

There are multiple sources of malfunction. Sources of malfunction are listed below:

1. Weapon fires - While a weapon is firing at you, it will malfunction. This source is the most common source; mostly encountered by players.
2. Titan's pulse - The Thargoid Titan, found in Thargoid Maelstroms, can emit a pulse similar to Thargoid's shutdown field. They can have a chances of malfunction a ship's modules along with restart ship's FSD, caustic damage, etc. If this happened, an orange triangle icon will appear on the ship's status bar and can be prevented by using Thargoid Pulse Neutraliser.
3. Gravitonal affections - Performing a drop at a neutron star or a white dwarf can cause module's overload and can lead to catastrophic malfunction. You nearly can't escape a neutron star because neutron star will control your ship for you. If you charge your FSD, be aware of the heat level as FSD can slowly cook your ship and you from inside too!

Risk of Malfunction

When your modules is malfunction, different modules can causing different risks. The risks are listed below:

1. Thruster - Randomly moves the ship without control
2. Power Plant - Causing output to reduce for a half. Any modules will be offline from deploying Hardpoint due to insufficient power. With module pirority control feature, you can keep some modules online even if exceeding output power of 50%.
3. FSD - Causing FSD to be temporarily disrupted, make it unable to charge. "Frame Shift Online" message appear on the info when FSD malfunction expired. Emergency drop in Supercruise can be also performed with this malfunction.
4. Shutdown Field Neutraliser/Electronic Countermeasure/Chaff - Temporarily misfires the neutraliser, reducing launch range.
5. Power Distributor - Temporarily scramble the distributor, randomly changing pips every 1 second.
6. Weapons - Randomly fires weapons without pilot's control.
7. Cargo Scoop - Jettisons cargo or open and close without control.

Indications of Malfunction

Malfunction can be easily indicated by Commanders, when a modules is malfunction, a nofication of what module is malfunction appear on the center of ship's canopy as a warning, it will be later transfer to info nofication. Ship's computer could notify this status to pilot too. As mentioned before, if Titan's pulse has captured the ship, it will show an orange triangle at the ship's status bar.

Trivia

• Collision damage cannot malfunction a module, as they cannot damage a module.
  • Although it cannot malfunction a module, it can damage your ship.
• NPC ship doesn’t seems to be affected by malfunctions.