Charger Won't Start

You plugged in but nothing is happening

You pull up to a public charger, plug in, and nothing happens. No lights, no beeps, no charging. This is one of the most common issues EV drivers face. Before assuming the charger is broken, there are several things to check.

You are at a public charger. You plugged in your car but the charging session has not started. The charger screen may be blank, showing an error, or just not responding.

What to try first

1

Check the connector is fully seated

Push the plug in until it clicks. A loose connection is one of the most common reasons a session does not start. If the connector does not slide in easily, check that you have the right plug for your car. Never force a connector.
2

Open your car's charge port

If the charge port flap is closed, the connector cannot go in. Depending on your car, you open it by pressing the flap, tapping a button on the key fob, or using the car's touchscreen. Check your owner's manual if you are not sure where it is.
3

Try authenticating again

Tap your RFID card or restart the app session. Payment authorization sometimes fails silently. Wait 10 seconds and try again. Some chargers need you to authenticate before plugging in, others after.

More scenarios in the app

The EVcourse app walks you through more specific scenarios for this problem with real-world scenarios. Free to try on iOS. Android coming soon.

Download for iOS

Android coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my EV charger not start after plugging in?

The most common causes are a loose connector, failed authentication, or a closed charge port. Push the plug firmly until it clicks, make sure your payment method is authorized, and check that your car's charge port flap is open. If none of that works, try unplugging for 30 seconds and reconnecting.

Should I try a different charger or keep troubleshooting?

If you have tried reconnecting, re-authenticating, and the charger still shows no response after 2-3 attempts, move to a different stall or station. Chargers can be temporarily out of service. Do not spend too long on a charger that is not responding.