EV Charger Error Codes
Standing at a charger and something went wrong? Find the error below to understand what happened and what to try next. These codes are based on the ChargeX MREC standard used across many charger manufacturers.
Connector and Cable Issues
Connector Lock Failure
The charger failed to lock or unlock the connector on the vehicle side. This is often a user or vehicle issue.
Cable Check Failure
The charger failed its cable check phase before delivering power. This can include an isolation failure, meaning the charger detected a potential electrical safety issue.
Partial Insertion
The cable latch is raised, indicating the connector was not fully inserted into your vehicle's charging port.
Proximity Fault
The proximity signal, which tells the charger a connector is physically connected, is out of range.
Broken Latch
The latch on the connector is physically broken. The charger cannot secure the connection to your vehicle.
Cut or Severed Cable
The output cable has been severed or severely damaged. This charger is out of service.
Plug Not Recognized
Your vehicle does not recognize the charging connector. This can happen if the connector type is incompatible, the plug is not fully seated, or there is a communication issue during the initial handshake.
Charge Port Locked (Cannot Remove Cable)
The charging cable is locked in your vehicle's charge port and you cannot remove it. This is normal during active charging but can become a problem if the session ends and the lock does not release.
Charge Port Door Stuck
Your vehicle's charge port door will not open. This can be caused by ice, a mechanical latch issue, or an electrical problem with the release mechanism.
Connector Wear Limit Reached
The charger's connector has reached its maximum recommended number of insertions. The charger may disable this connector until it is inspected or replaced.
CHAdeMO Connector Lock Failure
The CHAdeMO connector failed to lock into your vehicle's charging port. CHAdeMO connectors have a mechanical lock that must engage before charging starts.
Vehicle Disconnected During Charging
The charger detected that your vehicle's connection was lost while charging was active. This could mean the connector came loose, or the vehicle unexpectedly dropped the connection.
Wrong Connector Type
You are trying to use a connector that does not fit your vehicle's charge port. Common types include CCS (Combo), CHAdeMO, Type 2 (AC), and Type 1 (AC). Using the wrong one will not work.
Cable Not Connected
The charger does not detect a cable connection. For chargers with a fixed cable, the connector may not be fully inserted. For chargers requiring your own cable, the cable may not be plugged in on the charger side.
Cable Under Tension
The cable is stretched tight between the charger and your vehicle. Excessive tension can cause the connector to partially disengage or damage the charge port.
Connector Lock Fault (ABB)
The ABB charger could not lock or unlock the connector. The locking mechanism may be jammed, frozen, or damaged.
Cable Not Detected (Kempower)
The Kempower satellite does not detect a cable connected to the vehicle. The proximity signal from the connector is not being received.
Electrical Faults
Ground Fault
The ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) has been activated. This is a safety shutdown triggered by the charger or vehicle detecting an electrical grounding issue.
Overcurrent Failure
The over-current protection device has tripped. This means too much current was detected, triggering a safety shutoff.
Overvoltage
The input voltage to the vehicle has risen above an acceptable level. The charger has stopped to protect your vehicle.
Undervoltage
The input voltage to the vehicle has dropped below an acceptable level. The charger cannot deliver enough power.
Pre-Charge Failure
The charger did not reach the correct voltage during the pre-charge phase before connecting power to your vehicle.
Power Loss
The charger cannot supply any power due to a mains (electrical grid) failure. This is a site-level power issue, not your vehicle.
Capacitance Fault
An Isolation Monitoring Device tripped due to high capacitance detected during active charging. This is a safety shutoff.
Resistance Fault
An Isolation Monitoring Device tripped due to low resistance to the chassis during active charging. This indicates a potential electrical isolation issue.
Connector Voltage High
The output voltage of the charger is too high before charging starts or after charging ends. This is a charger hardware fault.
Surge Protection Triggered
The charger's surge protection device has been activated, likely due to a power surge or lightning strike. The charger has shut down to protect itself and connected vehicles.
Residual Current Device Triggered
The charger's residual current device (RCD) has tripped after detecting leakage current. This is a safety mechanism that stops charging to prevent electric shock.
Missing Phase
One of the three electrical phases supplying the charger is missing. This is a site-level wiring or grid issue. The charger cannot deliver full power.
Input Voltage Too High
The electrical supply voltage to the charger is above the safe operating range. The charger has shut down to protect itself and your vehicle.
Input Voltage Too Low
The electrical supply voltage to the charger is below the safe operating range. The charger cannot deliver reliable power to your vehicle.
Line and Neutral Reversed
The charger's internal wiring has the line and neutral conductors reversed. This is an installation or maintenance error. The charger cannot operate safely.
Isolation Test Failed
The DC charger's pre-charge isolation test detected a potential electrical fault in the cable or connection. The charger will not deliver power until this safety check passes.
Voltage Match Failed
During the DC pre-charge phase, the charger could not match its output voltage to your vehicle's battery voltage. The charger and car must agree on voltage before power delivery starts.
Current Demand Error
The charger and your vehicle cannot agree on how much current to deliver. The vehicle is requesting more or less current than the charger can safely provide.
Output Current Mismatch
The actual current being delivered does not match what was agreed between the charger and vehicle. This safety check stops charging when the discrepancy is too large.
Output Voltage Mismatch
The charger's actual output voltage does not match the target voltage agreed with your vehicle. Charging has been stopped for safety.
Insufficient Grid Power
The electrical supply to the charger site is limited. The charger cannot deliver its full rated power because the grid connection does not support it right now. This can happen during peak demand hours.
Insulation Test Failed (ABB)
The ABB charger performs an insulation resistance test before starting DC charging. This test failed, meaning there may be moisture or damage in the cable or connector.
Contactor Fault (Tritium)
The Tritium charger detected a fault with its internal contactors, the high-voltage switches that connect power to the cable. Charging cannot start or has been stopped for safety.
Isolation Fault (Tritium)
The Tritium charger detected an isolation fault during the pre-charge safety check. This means the electrical insulation between the high-voltage DC system and ground is compromised.
AC Input Fault (Tritium)
The Tritium charger detected a problem with its incoming AC power supply. This could be a grid voltage issue, a breaker trip, or a wiring fault at the installation.
Overcurrent Protection Triggered (Kempower)
The Kempower system detected an overcurrent condition and shut down the charging session for safety. This is typically a charger-side or vehicle-side fault.
Precharge Failure (Alpitronic HYC)
The Alpitronic Hypercharger failed during the precharge phase. Before DC charging starts, the charger must match its output voltage to the vehicle's battery voltage. If this fails, charging cannot begin.
Relay Fault (Efacec QC)
The Efacec charger detected a relay or contactor fault. The internal switching mechanism that controls power delivery has failed.
Grid Fault Detected (Efacec QC)
The Efacec charger detected a fault with the electrical grid supply. This could be a voltage drop, frequency deviation, or phase imbalance at the site.
Output Voltage Fault (Delta)
The Delta charger detected that its output voltage does not match the requested level from the vehicle. This safety check prevents sending incorrect voltage to the battery.
DC Output Short Circuit Detected (Delta)
The Delta charger detected a short circuit on its DC output. This is a serious safety fault. Charging has been stopped immediately.
Temperature Issues
High Temperature
The temperature inside the charger is too high, causing it to reduce power delivery to protect itself. This is a charger hardware issue.
Cable Overheating, Reduced Power
The charging cable or connector is too hot. The charger is reducing power to prevent damage. Charging continues but at a lower speed.
Cable Overheating, Session Stopped
The charging cable or connector overheated and the session was stopped to prevent damage or fire risk.
Connector Overheating
The temperature sensor in the charging connector is reading too high. This can be caused by a loose connection, worn contacts, or high ambient temperature. The charger will reduce power or stop.
Ambient Temperature Too High
The temperature around the charger is too high for safe operation. In extreme heat, chargers derate (reduce power) or shut down to protect their electronics.
Ambient Temperature Too Low
The temperature around the charger is below its operating range. In extreme cold, some charger components may not function reliably.
Temperature Sensor Failure
A temperature sensor in the charger or its connector has failed. Without accurate temperature readings, the charger cannot guarantee safe operation and may shut down.
Ventilation Fault (ABB)
The ABB charger's internal ventilation or cooling fan has failed. The charger may reduce power or stop entirely to prevent overheating.
Over Temperature (ABB)
The ABB charger's internal temperature or connector temperature has exceeded safe limits. The charger will reduce power or stop charging to protect itself.
Coolant Temperature High (Tritium)
The Tritium charger's liquid cooling system is running too hot. Tritium chargers use liquid-cooled cables, and if the coolant temperature exceeds limits, power is reduced or charging stops.
Cable Over Temperature (Tritium)
The temperature sensor in the Tritium charger's liquid-cooled cable detected excessive heat. Power has been reduced or charging has stopped to prevent cable damage.
Temperature Limit Reached (Kempower)
The Kempower satellite or cable has reached its temperature limit. Power output will be reduced to prevent overheating. Kempower satellites are designed for Nordic climates but can overheat in sustained high-power use.
Connector Over Temperature (Alpitronic HYC)
The temperature sensor in the Alpitronic Hypercharger's CCS connector detected excessive heat. The charger has reduced power or stopped charging to prevent damage to the connector and the vehicle's charge port.
Communication and Signal
Weak Signal
The charger's wireless communication device is reporting a weak signal. This may affect authorization or payment.
No Internet Connection
The charger has no internet connectivity. It cannot process authorization or communicate with the charging network.
Pilot Fault
The control pilot signal, the communication line between the charger and your car, is out of range. This signal coordinates the charging handshake.
Vehicle Communication Error
The charger cannot communicate with your vehicle. The digital handshake between the charger and your car failed. This can happen with both AC and DC charging.
Incompatible Charger
Your vehicle and this charger cannot communicate properly. This can happen when the charger's protocol version is too old or too new for your vehicle, or there is a known compatibility issue.
Network Error
The charger has lost its connection to the backend network. It may not be able to process payments or start new sessions. Some chargers can still work in offline mode with certain RFID cards.
Backend Connection Lost
The charger cannot reach the charging network's servers. This prevents authorization, billing, and remote management. The charger hardware itself may be fine.
Vehicle Handshake Timeout
The charger and your vehicle could not complete their initial communication handshake within the expected time. The charger gave up waiting for your car to respond.
PLC Communication Error
The Power Line Communication (PLC) between the charger and your vehicle failed. CCS DC fast chargers use PLC to negotiate charging parameters. If this fails, DC charging cannot start.
CHAdeMO Permission Denied
Your vehicle did not grant permission to start CHAdeMO DC charging. The vehicle must send a permission signal before the charger delivers power.
CAN Communication Fault
The CAN bus communication between the charger and your vehicle has failed. CHAdeMO chargers use CAN (Controller Area Network) to exchange data with your vehicle during charging.
Charging System Incompatible
The charger and your vehicle have incompatible charging parameters. They could not agree on voltage range, current limits, or protocol version.
V2G Session Setup Error
The ISO 15118 (Vehicle-to-Grid) session setup between your vehicle and the charger failed. This protocol handles advanced features like Plug and Charge. A failure here usually means the charger and vehicle could not establish a secure communication session.
SLAC Protocol Error
The Signal Level Attenuation Characterization (SLAC) process failed. SLAC is the first step in CCS communication where the charger and vehicle establish a data link through the charging cable. If this fails, no further communication is possible.
TCP Connection Error
The TCP/IP network connection between the charger and your vehicle (over the charging cable) failed. CCS chargers use this for the high-level communication that negotiates charging parameters.
Charge Parameter Discovery Error
The charger and your vehicle could not agree on charging parameters such as maximum voltage, maximum current, or energy transfer mode. This negotiation happens before any power is delivered.
Waiting for Vehicle
The ABB Terra charger has authenticated successfully and is ready to charge, but the vehicle has not started the charging handshake. The charger is waiting for the car to respond.
Communication Timeout
The ABB charger lost communication with the vehicle during the charging session. This can happen due to a loose connector, a vehicle-side fault, or a protocol mismatch.
CHAdeMO Communication Fault (Tritium)
The Tritium charger failed to establish CHAdeMO communication with the vehicle. The CAN bus handshake between the charger and car did not complete successfully.
Satellite Offline (Kempower)
The Kempower satellite (the charging post with the cable) has lost connection to the power unit. Kempower systems use a central power unit that distributes power to multiple satellites. If the link is broken, the satellite cannot charge.
PLC Communication Fault (Alpitronic HYC)
The Alpitronic Hypercharger failed to establish power line communication (PLC) with the vehicle over the CCS connector. PLC is required for CCS DC charging to negotiate power levels.
Vehicle Communication Lost (Efacec QC)
The Efacec charger lost communication with the vehicle during charging. The data link between the charger and the vehicle's battery management system was interrupted.
Pilot Signal Error (Delta)
The Delta charger is not receiving the correct control pilot signal from the vehicle. The pilot signal is how the car and charger negotiate charging parameters.
Network Disconnected (Delta)
The Delta charger has lost its connection to the network backend. It may still allow charging if configured for offline mode, but payment processing and session tracking may not work.
Authorization and Payment
Authorization Timeout
You plugged in but the charging session was not authorized in time. The connection between the vehicle and charger timed out before payment or RFID was confirmed.
Local List Conflict
The charger's internal authorization list has a conflict. This means the charger cannot verify whether your RFID card or account is allowed to charge here.
Authorization Failed
The charger denied your request to charge. Your RFID card, app account, or payment method was not accepted. This can happen if your account has expired, your card is not registered with this network, or there is a roaming issue between networks.
Account Not Found
The charger or network cannot find an account linked to your card or device. This often happens when using an RFID card that has not been activated or registered with the charging network.
Restricted Access
This charger is restricted to certain users, accounts, or vehicles. Some workplace, hotel, or apartment chargers are limited to authorized users only.
Roaming Authorization Failed
Your charging card or app uses roaming to connect to this network, but the roaming link failed. This is like using a phone abroad when roaming does not connect properly.
Session Already Active
The charger thinks a session is already running on your account or on this connector. This can happen if a previous session was not ended properly.
RFID Read Error
The charger's card reader could not read your RFID card. The card may be damaged, held too far away, or the reader may be faulty.
RFID Card Not Supported
This charger does not accept your RFID card type. Different networks use different RFID standards. Your card from one network may not work on another.
Plug and Charge Failed
Automatic Plug and Charge (ISO 15118) authentication did not work. This feature lets your car automatically identify itself and start billing without a card or app, but it requires both the charger and your vehicle to support it.
Subscription or Membership Expired
Your charging network subscription or membership has expired. You cannot start sessions until you renew.
Maximum Simultaneous Sessions Reached
Your account has reached the maximum number of simultaneous charging sessions allowed by this network. Some networks limit you to one active session at a time.
Authentication Failed (Kempower)
The Kempower charger could not verify your payment or RFID card. This may be a network connectivity issue, an unsupported payment method, or an expired subscription.
Vehicle-Side Issues
Invalid Vehicle Mode
Your vehicle is in a mode that prevents charging. For example, it may be in drive, a pre-conditioning mode, or have a setting that blocks charging.
EV Contactor Fault
The contactors (internal switches) inside your vehicle failed to open or close properly during charging. This is a vehicle-side issue.
Charging Suspended by Vehicle
Your vehicle has paused charging. The charger is ready but your car is not requesting power. This often happens when the battery is nearly full, the battery is too hot or cold, or a scheduled charging timer is active.
Battery Too Cold to Charge
Your vehicle's battery is too cold to accept a charge, especially at high speed. The battery management system limits or blocks charging to prevent damage to the cells. This is common in winter.
Battery Too Hot to Charge
Your vehicle's battery temperature is above the safe charging range. The battery management system is limiting or stopping charging to protect battery health. This can happen after hard driving in hot weather or after repeated fast charging sessions.
Charging Interrupted
Your vehicle or the charger stopped the session unexpectedly. This is a general message that can have many causes, from a loose connection to a temporary communication glitch.
Unable to Charge
Your vehicle is displaying a general 'unable to charge' message. This can be caused by a vehicle-side issue (software, 12V battery, onboard charger) or by the charging station.
Reduce Charging Current
Your vehicle is asking for less power than the charger can provide. This is normal in certain situations: the battery is nearly full, the battery is very hot or cold, or the vehicle's onboard charger is limiting current to protect itself.
Charge Port Error
Your vehicle is reporting a problem with its charging port. The port may not be opening, locking, or communicating correctly. Debris, ice, or a mechanical issue can cause this.
Charging System Malfunction
Your vehicle has detected a fault in its charging system. This typically refers to the onboard charger, the charging control unit, or related electronics. This is a vehicle-side hardware or software issue.
12V Battery Low
Your vehicle's 12V auxiliary battery is too low. Even though your EV has a large high-voltage battery, it also has a small 12V battery that powers the vehicle's computers, locks, and charging communication. If this battery is dead or very low, charging cannot start.
Battery Malfunction
Your vehicle has detected a fault in the high-voltage battery pack. Charging has been stopped as a safety precaution. This is a serious vehicle-side issue.
Onboard Charger Fault
Your vehicle's built-in AC charger has a fault. This component converts AC power from the charger to DC power for your battery. DC fast charging may still work because it bypasses the onboard charger.
EV Battery Overvoltage
The charger detected that your vehicle's battery voltage is above the safe maximum. Charging has been stopped to prevent overcharging.
EV Battery Undervoltage
Your vehicle's battery voltage is below the expected minimum. This can happen if the battery is nearly empty or has a fault. Some chargers cannot charge a battery that is too deeply discharged.
EV Battery Overtemperature
The charger received a signal from your vehicle that the battery temperature is too high. Charging has been stopped to prevent battery damage.
Vehicle Not in Park
The charger detected that your vehicle is not in park. DC chargers require the vehicle to be stationary and in park before they deliver power.
Diode Check Failed
The charger's safety diode check failed during the initial handshake. This is a standard safety check for AC charging (IEC 61851). The charger detected that the vehicle's charging circuit does not have the required rectifier diode, or the diode is faulty.
Dispense Stop: Vehicle Request (Tritium)
The vehicle sent a stop command to the Tritium charger. This is normal behavior when the battery reaches the target state of charge or when the vehicle's battery management system ends the session.
Vehicle Not Compatible (Alpitronic HYC)
The Alpitronic Hypercharger determined that the connected vehicle is not compatible. This usually means the vehicle requested parameters outside what the charger supports, or the protocol negotiation failed.
Charging System Malfunction (BMW)
Your BMW is displaying a charging system malfunction warning. This can be caused by a fault in the vehicle's onboard charger, the charge port, or a communication issue with the external charger.
Charging Not Possible (Mercedes-Benz)
Your Mercedes-Benz is displaying a message that charging is not possible. This can appear due to a fault in the vehicle's charging system, an incompatible charger, extreme battery temperature, or a 12V battery issue.
Charging Cable Not Recognized (VW/Audi/Skoda)
Your Volkswagen Group vehicle (VW, Audi, Skoda, CUPRA) does not recognize the charging cable. This is common with certain Type 2 AC cables and can also happen at DC chargers.
Charging Interrupted (Hyundai/Kia)
Your Hyundai or Kia EV has interrupted the charging session. The vehicle's battery management system stopped charging, which can happen due to temperature limits, a full battery, or a detected fault.
Unable to Charge, Check Charge Port (Tesla)
Your Tesla is displaying an error about the charge port. This can be caused by a misaligned connector, debris in the port, a latch issue, or a charge port actuator fault.
Reduced Charging Current (Tesla)
Your Tesla has reduced the charging current due to a condition detected in the external charger or cable. This is a safety feature to protect against overheating connections.
Charging Paused Due to Battery Temperature (Polestar)
Your Polestar has paused charging because the battery temperature is outside the acceptable range. This happens in extreme cold or after sustained high-speed driving in hot weather.
Charging System Service Required (Volvo)
Your Volvo EV is showing a service warning for the charging system. This typically indicates a fault with the onboard charger, the charge port module, or a high-voltage component.
Charge Fault Detected (Renault/Dacia)
Your Renault or Dacia EV is showing a charge fault on the dashboard. This can be triggered by a charger compatibility issue, an onboard charger fault, or a problem with the charging cable.
Charging System Error (Nissan LEAF)
Your Nissan LEAF is displaying a charging system error. This can appear as a red charging light or an error message on the dashboard. Common causes include a charger communication fault, extreme battery temperature, or a 12V battery issue.
Charger Hardware
Charger Contactor Fault
The contactors (internal switches) inside the charger failed to open or close properly. This is a hardware fault with the charger unit.
Internal Error
The charger has detected an internal fault that it cannot recover from automatically. This is a charger-side problem, not something you caused.
Power Meter Failure
The charger's energy meter has failed. The charger cannot accurately measure how much energy it delivers, so it may refuse to start a session.
Power Switch Failure
The charger's internal power switch or relay has failed. The charger cannot safely control power delivery.
Card Reader Failure
The charger's RFID or card reader is not working. You cannot authenticate using a physical card on this unit.
Reset Failure
The charger attempted to reset itself but failed. It is stuck in an error state and cannot recover without manual intervention.
Screen Broken or Unresponsive
The charger's touchscreen is cracked, dark, or unresponsive. You may not be able to interact with the charger, but some chargers can still be started via the network's app or an RFID card even with a broken screen.
Fan Failure
The charger's internal cooling fan has failed. Without cooling, the charger may overheat and reduce power or shut down entirely. This is a charger hardware issue.
Fuse Blown
An internal fuse in the charger has blown. The charger cannot deliver power until the fuse is replaced by a technician.
Relay Welded Shut
An internal relay or contactor in the charger has welded shut due to electrical arcing. The charger cannot safely control power on and off.
Rectifier Fault
The charger's power rectifier module has a fault. In DC chargers, the rectifier converts AC grid power to DC for your vehicle. This is a hardware failure.
RFID Module Communication Error
The charger's RFID reader module has an internal communication error. The reader hardware cannot talk to the charger's main controller.
Other Error (Unspecified)
The charger reported an error that does not match any standard category. The screen may show a numeric code, a vendor-specific message, or just a generic error.
Vendor-Specific Error Code
The charger is showing a manufacturer-specific error code (often a hex number or proprietary code). These codes are not standardized and vary by charger brand.
Power Module Fault (ABB)
One or more power modules inside the ABB charger have failed. The charger may deliver reduced power or stop charging entirely.
Door Open (ABB)
The ABB charger has detected that its service door or access panel is open. Charging is disabled as a safety precaution until the door is closed.
Coolant Flow Low (Tritium)
The coolant flow rate in the Tritium charger's liquid cooling system is below the required level. This can happen due to a pump failure, coolant leak, or air in the cooling lines.
Power Module Offline (Tritium)
One or more power modules in the Tritium charger are offline. The charger may still work but at reduced power output. For example, a 150 kW charger might only deliver 75 kW.
Touchscreen Fault (Tritium)
The Tritium charger's touchscreen is unresponsive or displaying an error. The charger hardware may still be functional, but you cannot interact with the screen to start a session.
Power Unit Fault (Kempower)
The Kempower central power unit has a fault. Since Kempower systems share one power unit across multiple charging satellites, this fault may affect all connectors at the location.
Liquid Cooling Fault (Alpitronic HYC)
The Alpitronic Hypercharger detected a fault in its liquid cooling system. The cooled cable cannot maintain safe temperatures, so charging power is limited or the session is stopped.
Screen Not Responding (Efacec QC)
The Efacec charger's touchscreen is frozen or unresponsive. The charger hardware may still be functional behind the screen.
Fan Failure (Delta)
The Delta charger detected that one or more internal cooling fans have failed. The charger will limit power output or stop to prevent overheating.
Safety Shutdowns
Emergency Stop
The emergency stop button on the charger has been pressed, either by a user or triggered automatically.
Charger Door Open
A maintenance panel or access door on the charger is open or not properly closed. The charger has shut down for safety reasons.
Vandalised Unit
The charger has visible signs of vandalism, such as a smashed screen, bent connector holder, graffiti covering the reader, or exposed wiring.
Flooded or Water Damaged Unit
The charger appears to be standing in water or shows signs of water damage. While chargers are designed to handle rain, flooding or standing water can compromise electrical safety.
Burning Smell or Smoke
You can smell burning or see smoke coming from the charger, cable, or connector. This is a serious safety issue that requires immediate action.
Ground Fault Detected (ABB)
The ABB charger detected a ground fault and stopped charging for safety. This is a protective shutdown. The fault could be in the charger, the cable, or the vehicle.
Emergency Stop Activated (ABB)
The emergency stop button on the ABB charger has been pressed. Charging is halted and the charger is locked until an operator resets it.
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