BMW i4 Charging at EnBW mobility+

BMW i4 Charger Won't Start? Step-by-Step Solutions

You've plugged in the CCS2 cable to your BMW i4's right rear charge port, but nothing happens. This is one of the most common frustrations at public chargers. The good news is that most causes are fixable on the spot.

Symptoms

• CCS2 connector is plugged into the right rear port but the charger screen shows no vehicle detected
• Charger displays an error code and refuses to start the session
• My BMW app shows the car is plugged in but not charging
• The charge port LED on the i4 flashes or stays amber instead of turning blue
• Authentication via app or RFID card goes through but charging never begins

What to Do

1. 1

   Unplug the CCS2 cable and reseat it firmly

   Pull the connector out completely. Check the pins for debris or damage. Line it up straight with the charge port on the right rear and push until you hear a clear click. The charge port LED should respond.

2. 2

   Check the charge port LED color on the car

   Blue pulsing means the car is ready to charge. Amber or yellow means something is wrong on the car side. No light at all may mean the port isn't detecting the cable. Open the My BMW app for more detail.

3. 3

   Disable any charging schedule in iDrive

   On the iDrive curved display, go to the charging settings and check for active schedules or departure times. Disable scheduled charging temporarily if you want to charge immediately at a public station.

4. 4

   Try authenticating again or use a different method

   If Plug & Charge didn't start the session, open the charging network's app and start manually. If the app fails, try an RFID card. If you're using BMW Charging, check that your payment method is current in the My BMW app.

5. 5

   Restart the charger if possible

   Some chargers have a stop/reset button on the screen. Unplug, wait 30 seconds, and try again. If the charger has two cables, try the other connector. Check the charger's screen for error messages or an out-of-service notice.

6. 6

   Move to a different charger if the problem persists

   If nothing works after two attempts, the charger is likely faulty. Use the My BMW app or a charging map to find the next nearest station. Report the broken charger through the network's app to help other drivers.

BMW i4 Charging Payment Failed? How to Fix It Now

You're at the charger, the CCS2 cable is plugged into your BMW i4, but payment won't go through. Maybe Plug & Charge didn't kick in, the app is throwing errors, or your card was declined. Here's how to sort it out and start charging.

Symptoms

• Plug & Charge doesn't activate when you connect the CCS2 cable
• BMW Charging shows a payment error in the My BMW app
• The charger screen says authentication failed or payment declined
• Your RFID card is not recognized at this charging station
• Contactless card payment at the charger terminal is rejected

What to Do

1. 1

   Check if Plug & Charge is set up in the My BMW app

   Open the My BMW app, go to your charging settings, and verify that Plug & Charge is enabled and linked to an active payment method. If you see a setup prompt, complete it before trying again.

2. 2

   Update your payment method in BMW Charging

   In the My BMW app, navigate to your BMW Charging account and check your stored payment card. Update it if it's expired or recently replaced. The change should take effect within a few minutes.

3. 3

   Try the charging network's own app

   Identify which company operates the charger (the logo is usually on the unit). Download their app, create an account, add a payment method, and start the session through their app instead of BMW Charging.

4. 4

   Use a different RFID card or contactless payment

   If you have another RFID card from a different network, try that. Some chargers also accept contactless debit or credit cards. Look for a payment terminal on the charger, usually near the screen.

5. 5

   Try a different charger at the same station or a nearby station

   Sometimes a single charger's payment terminal malfunctions while others work fine. Try the next unit over. If the whole station is problematic, use iDrive navigation to find an alternative station nearby.

BMW i4 Charging Slower Than Expected? Fixes Here

Your BMW i4 eDrive40 supports up to 205 kW DC fast charging, but real-world speeds often fall short. Several factors specific to the i4's 80.7 kWh battery and 400V architecture can limit charging power. Here's how to diagnose and fix slow charging on your i4.

Symptoms

• DC charging speed stays well below 205 kW even at a high-power charger
• Charging curve drops sharply before reaching 60% state of charge
• AC charging at home or destination chargers maxes out at 3.6 kW instead of 11 kW
• iDrive curved display shows a lower charging rate than the charger's rated output
• Estimated charging time on the iDrive screen is much longer than expected

What to Do

1. 1

   Use iDrive navigation to route to your charging stop

   Enter the charging station as a waypoint or destination in iDrive. The i4 will automatically precondition the battery while you drive, warming it to the ideal temperature for fast charging. This alone can double your charging speed in cold weather.

2. 2

   Arrive at the charger with a lower state of charge

   The i4 charges fastest between 10% and 50%. If possible, plan your stop so you arrive closer to 10-20%. The difference between arriving at 15% versus 50% can save significant time.

3. 3

   Choose a charger stall that isn't sharing power

   Look at the charger setup. If two CCS2 cables come from one cabinet, pick a stall where the neighboring connector is free. Some stations label paired stalls with A/B designations.

4. 4

   Check your AC charging setup at home

   Open the My BMW app and look at the charging details during an AC session. If you're only getting 3.6 kW, your installation likely provides single-phase power. Ask your electrician about a three-phase connection to unlock the full 11 kW.

5. 5

   Check the charging status on the iDrive curved display

   While charging, the iDrive screen shows current power, estimated time remaining, and battery temperature. If power is low and battery temperature is also low, the car is still warming the pack. Give it a few minutes to ramp up.

6. 6

   Unplug at 80% and drive to the next charger if needed

   Charging from 80% to 100% on DC can take as long as 10% to 80%. On road trips, it's almost always faster to charge to 80%, drive, and stop again rather than waiting for a full charge.

Roaming pricing unclear or higher than expected

You started a session through EnBW mobility+ and the per-kWh price was significantly higher than you expected. The same charger costs different amounts at different times, and the pricing logic feels opaque.

Symptoms

• Per-kWh rate on the receipt is higher than the rate shown on the EnBW website
• Same charger location costs more through EnBW mobility+ than through the CPO's own app
• Price differs between two chargers at the same station
• Unexpected 'roaming fee' or 'session fee' on your invoice

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check the price before you start the session

   In the EnBW mobility+ app, tap on the charger and look for the pricing details before starting. The app shows the per-kWh rate for that specific charger. Prices vary because each CPO sets different roaming rates.

2. 2

   Understand the pricing tiers

   EnBW mobility+ groups chargers into pricing tiers. 'EnBW own' chargers are cheapest, 'roaming standard' is mid-range, and 'roaming plus' (typically high-power chargers from premium CPOs like Ionity) costs more. The tier is usually shown in the charger details.

3. 3

   Compare with the CPO's own app

   If a charger is operated by Ionity, for example, check the Ionity app or website for their direct pricing. Sometimes the CPO's own app or RFID card is cheaper because there is no roaming middleman. If you use that CPO frequently, their own account may save you money.

4. 4

   Consider the EnBW mobility+ tariff you are on

   EnBW offers different tariffs (with and without a monthly fee). The tariff with a monthly fee usually gives lower per-kWh rates. In the app, go to your profile to check which tariff you are on and whether switching would save you money based on your usage.

5. 5

   Watch for idle fees and blocking fees

   Some chargers accessed through EnBW mobility+ charge a per-minute fee after your car finishes charging but the cable is still plugged in. Move your car promptly once charging is complete to avoid these fees.

App not loading charger details

You tap on a charger pin on the map and the detail screen is blank, shows a loading spinner forever, or displays outdated information. You cannot see pricing, availability, or the start button.

Symptoms

• Charger detail page shows a permanent loading spinner
• Availability status not updating (shows 'Available' for hours at a busy station)
• Price information missing from the detail screen
• App shows 'No connection' error when loading charger details

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check your phone's internet connection

   Charging stations are often in areas with poor cellular coverage, like parking garages, highway rest stops behind concrete walls, or rural areas. Switch between mobile data and Wi-Fi, or walk to a spot with better signal and load the charger details there.

2. 2

   Force-close the app and reopen it

   Swipe the EnBW mobility+ app away from your recent apps list, wait a few seconds, and reopen it. Navigate to the charger again. This clears any stuck network requests.

3. 3

   Search for the charger by ID

   Instead of tapping the map pin, use the search bar in the app and enter the charger's ID or EVSE number (printed on the physical unit). This sometimes loads details that the map view fails to fetch.

4. 4

   Use the QR code on the charger as a backup

   Many chargers have a QR code that opens a direct session start page. Scan it with your phone camera. This page is served by the CPO, not EnBW, and often loads faster.

5. 5

   Clear the app cache

   On Android: Settings, Apps, EnBW mobility+, Storage, Clear Cache. On iOS: delete and reinstall the app (iOS does not offer cache clearing). This resolves issues caused by corrupted local data.

QR code scan not working

You scan the QR code on the charger with the EnBW mobility+ app and it either does not recognize the code, opens a wrong page, or shows an error.

Symptoms

• App says 'QR code not recognized' after scanning
• QR code opens a web page for the CPO's own app instead of EnBW mobility+
• Camera does not focus on the QR code (too dark, code damaged)
• Scan succeeds but the session start page shows an error

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Use the EnBW app's built-in scanner, not your phone camera

   Open the EnBW mobility+ app and use its QR scanner (usually in the top menu or via a scan button on the map screen). Scanning with your phone camera might open the CPO's own page instead of routing through EnBW.

2. 2

   Clean the QR code

   Wipe dirt, rain, or ice off the QR code with your sleeve. Damaged or faded QR codes are common on outdoor chargers. If the code is badly worn, look for a second QR code on a different part of the charger.

3. 3

   Turn on your phone's flashlight

   In dark or shaded areas, the camera cannot read the code. Most QR scanners (including EnBW's) have a flashlight toggle. Enable it for better readability.

4. 4

   Enter the charger ID manually

   If the QR code will not scan, look for the charger's numeric or alphanumeric ID printed nearby. Enter it manually in the EnBW app's search function to find and start the session.

Cannot stop the session from the app

You tap 'Stop Charging' in the EnBW mobility+ app and nothing happens. The session keeps running, your car keeps charging (or has already finished but the session stays active), and you want to unplug and leave.

Symptoms

• 'Stop' button in the app does not respond or shows an error
• Session shows as active in the app even after unplugging
• Charger screen says 'Session active' but your car is full
• You are worried about accumulating idle fees

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Physically unplug the connector from your car

   On most chargers, unplugging the cable ends the session automatically, regardless of what the app says. Unlock your car's charge port (from the car's screen, key fob, or charge port button) and remove the connector.

2. 2

   Wait 2 minutes and check the app again

   There is often a delay between physically ending the session and the app updating. The app depends on the CPO's system sending a 'session ended' signal back through the roaming chain. Give it a moment.

3. 3

   Force-close and reopen the app

   Sometimes the app's session view gets stuck. Force-close it, reopen, and check your session history. The session may already be ended on the backend even if the active session screen was not updating.

4. 4

   Press the stop button on the charger itself

   Many chargers have a physical stop button on the screen or housing. Press it. This sends the stop command directly to the charger hardware without going through the roaming network.

5. 5

   Contact support if you are being billed for a stuck session

   If the session stays 'active' in the app for more than 10 minutes after you have unplugged and driven away, contact EnBW mobility+ support. They can close the session on their end and correct any overcharges.

App is in German and hard to navigate

The EnBW mobility+ app defaults to German. If you do not speak German, navigating menus, understanding pricing details, and finding settings can be frustrating.

Symptoms

• All menus and buttons are in German after installation
• Language setting not obvious in the app
• Error messages appear in German, making troubleshooting difficult
• Pricing terms and tariff explanations are only in German

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Change your phone's system language temporarily

   The EnBW mobility+ app follows your phone's system language. If English is available in the app, switching your phone to English (Settings, General, Language) will switch the app too. You can switch back after you finish.

2. 2

   Check for an English option in the app settings

   Open the app, tap the profile or menu icon (usually three lines or a person icon in the corner), and look for 'Sprache' (Language) or 'Einstellungen' (Settings). Some versions offer English as an option directly.

3. 3

   Use your phone's translate feature on screenshots

   On iOS, take a screenshot and use Live Text to translate. On Android, use Google Lens. This is useful for understanding pricing details or error messages in German.

4. 4

   Consider an alternative roaming app with better language support

   If the language barrier is a persistent problem, apps like Shell Recharge, Plugsurfing, or Chargemap offer similar roaming coverage across Europe and have full English interfaces. They access many of the same chargers.