Troubleshooting

EV Charging Troubleshooting Guide

You pull up to a charger, plug in, and nothing happens. Or it starts charging and then stops. Or an error code appears that means nothing to you. It happens to every EV driver eventually, and it is rarely the car's fault. Most problems are caused by the charger, the payment system, or something simple like a loose connector. Here is what to check and what to do next.

Charger Won't Start

This is the most common issue. You plug in and the charger just sits there. Before assuming it is broken, try these steps in order.

1. Check the connector is fully seated. Push the plug in firmly until it clicks. A loose connection is the most common reason a session does not start.
2. Unlock your car's charge port. Some EVs lock the port automatically. Unlock it from the car's touchscreen, key fob, or app before plugging in.
3. Try authenticating again. Tap your RFID card or restart the app session. Payment authorization sometimes fails silently. Wait 10 seconds and try again.
4. Unplug and replug. Disconnect completely, wait 30 seconds, then reconnect. This resets the handshake between car and charger.
5. Try the other connector. Many DC fast chargers have two cables (CCS and CHAdeMO). If one does not work, the other might. On multi-stall stations, try a different stall.

Common Error Messages

Charger error messages are often vague and unhelpful. The same underlying problem can show different messages depending on the charger brand. Here are the most common ones and what they actually mean.

"Communication error" or "Vehicle not responding"

The charger and your car are not communicating properly. Unplug, wait 30 seconds, replug. If it persists, restart your car's infotainment system or try a different charger.

"Authorization failed" or "Payment declined"

Your payment method was not accepted. Check that your card or app has funds. Some networks require pre-authorization holds of 50-100 EUR. Try a different payment method or app.

"Ground fault" or "Earth leakage detected"

This is a safety error. The charger detected an electrical fault and shut down to protect you. Do not attempt to override this. Move to a different charger and report the fault.

"Session timed out"

You authenticated but did not plug in fast enough. Most chargers give you 60-120 seconds after authorization. Authenticate again and plug in promptly.

"Charger unavailable" or "Out of service"

The charger knows it is broken. Nothing you can do here. Check your app for the nearest alternative charger and move on.

Charging Started but Stopped Early

This is more confusing than a charger that never starts, because something clearly worked and then stopped. The cause is usually one of these four things.

→ Battery reached its charge limit. If you set a charge limit (e.g. 80%), the car will stop on its own. Check your car's settings.
→ The car's battery is too hot or too cold. Extreme temperatures cause the car to reduce or stop charging to protect the battery. This is normal. Wait for the battery to reach a better temperature.
→ Charger hit a time or kWh limit. Some public chargers have session limits (e.g. 60 minutes or 50 kWh). Check the charger's terms on the screen or app.
→ Power sharing reduced your speed to zero. Some stations share power between stalls. If multiple cars are charging, your speed might drop significantly or stop. This is rare but it happens.

Payment and Authentication Problems

Payment failures are the second most common charging problem after connector issues. The charger may show "authorization failed," decline your card, or simply not respond to your RFID tap.

→ Pre-authorization holds can block your card. Many DC fast chargers place a hold of 50-100 EUR on your card before charging starts. If your card has a low limit or the bank flags it, the hold fails silently. Try a different card or ensure your bank allows pre-authorization holds.
→ RFID cards may not work on every network. Roaming agreements between networks change. If your usual RFID card is rejected, try the network's own app or a contactless credit card instead.
→ The app may say "started" but the charger did not receive it. Network delays between the app and the charger are common. If the app shows a session running but no power is flowing, stop the session in the app, wait 30 seconds, and try again.
→ Keep 2-3 charging apps installed. No single app covers every charger. Having backup options means you are never stuck because one network's payment system is down.

Who to Contact

If you have tried the basics and the charger still does not work, you have a few options.

→ Call the number on the charger. Every public charger should have a support phone number on it. Call and report the issue. They can sometimes reset the charger remotely.
→ Use the charging network's app. Most apps have a "report a problem" button for each charger. This flags the issue for other drivers too.
→ Check community apps. Apps like PlugShare let users leave real-time status updates. Check if others have reported the same charger as broken.
→ Find the nearest alternative. Open your preferred charger map app and filter by available chargers. Do not wait at a broken charger hoping it will fix itself.

How to Avoid Getting Stuck

→ Always have a backup charger location. Before you leave, know where the next nearest charger is. Do not rely on a single station, especially on road trips.
→ Keep multiple charging apps and payment methods. Some chargers only accept specific networks. Having 2-3 charging apps covers most situations.
→ Do not wait until you are nearly empty. Charge when you can, not when you must. Arriving at a broken charger with 5% battery is stressful. Arriving with 30% gives you options.
→ Carry a portable Level 1 charging cable. In an emergency, you can plug into any standard household outlet. It is slow (5-8 km of range per hour) but it can get you to the next working charger.

Most charging problems have a simple fix. The pattern is almost always the same: check the connector, check the payment, try a different stall or a different charger. Once you have been through it a few times, it stops being stressful.

For more specific scenarios, the free EVcourse app covers 100+ real-world charging situations with step-by-step visual guides. Pick your problem, follow along, and get back on the road.