Mercedes-Benz EQB Charging at Mer

Mercedes-Benz EQB Charger Won't Start: Quick Fixes

You have connected your Mercedes-Benz EQB to a public charger, but the session will not start. MBUX shows nothing, the charger sits idle, and you are wondering what is wrong. This is one of the most common complaints at public chargers, and it is usually fixable on the spot.

Symptoms

• The charger screen stays on 'waiting' or 'connect vehicle' after plugging in
• MBUX does not show any charging activity
• The EQB's charge port LED does not illuminate
• The charger returns an error code after you connect
• The CCS2 connector does not click into place

What to Do

1. 1

   Unlock the EQB and open the charge port

   Ensure the car is unlocked. Press the charge port flap to open it. On some EQB models, you can also open it through the Mercedes me app.

2. 2

   Insert the connector firmly

   Push the CCS2 or Type 2 connector straight into the port until it clicks. The charge port is on the right side of the EQB. A locked connector triggers the charging protocol.

3. 3

   Authenticate at the charger

   Tap your RFID card on the charger reader, start the session in the network app, or tap your bank card on the contactless terminal. The charger needs authorization before sending power.

4. 4

   Disable scheduled charging in MBUX

   In MBUX, navigate to EV settings, then charging. If a schedule is set, switch to immediate charging so the EQB does not wait for a timer.

5. 5

   Disconnect and retry

   Unplug the cable, wait 15 seconds, and reconnect. This forces a fresh handshake between the EQB and the charger.

6. 6

   Try another charger

   If the charger remains unresponsive, it is likely out of service. Move to a different stall or station and report the faulty unit through the network's app.

Mercedes-Benz EQB Charging Payment Failed: Fix Now

You have connected your Mercedes-Benz EQB to a charger, but the payment will not go through. RFID not recognized, app error, or bank card declined. This is a charger-side issue, not an EQB problem, but it still blocks your session. Here is how to get charging.

Symptoms

• The charger displays 'authentication failed' or 'payment declined'
• Your RFID card tap produces no response
• The charging app returns an error when starting a session
• Contactless bank card payment is declined
• The charger asks for payment but no method works

What to Do

1. 1

   Try an alternative payment method

   Switch from RFID to the charging app, or from the app to a contactless bank card. Having multiple options ensures one failure does not strand you.

2. 2

   Check your account status

   Open the charging app and verify your payment method, balance, and subscription status. Fix any issues before retrying.

3. 3

   Verify the charger supports your network

   Look for provider logos on the charger. If yours is not there, you need ad-hoc payment via QR code or a different provider.

4. 4

   Scan the QR code for ad-hoc payment

   Most European chargers have a QR code that opens a browser-based payment page. Pay with any bank card, no app needed.

5. 5

   Cancel and restart the session

   If payment seemed to go through but charging did not start, cancel in the app and try again with a fresh authorization.

6. 6

   Contact the network's support

   The charger should display a phone number. The operator can sometimes authorize sessions remotely or troubleshoot payment issues.

Mercedes-Benz EQB 350+ Charging Slow: How to Fix It

Your Mercedes-Benz EQB 350+ supports up to 102kW DC fast charging, which is moderate for its class. If the MBUX display is showing far less than that, every charging stop takes longer than it should. Here is what affects the EQB's charging speed and how to improve it.

Symptoms

• DC charging power shown on MBUX is well below 102kW
• Charging the 70.5kWh battery takes significantly longer than expected
• Speed drops noticeably above 70% state of charge
• AC charging is stuck below 11kW at a faster station
• MBUX displays a battery temperature warning or conditioning indicator

What to Do

1. 1

   Check charging power in MBUX

   Open the charging status screen on MBUX. It displays current kW, battery temperature, and estimated completion time. This tells you whether the car or charger is limiting speed.

2. 2

   Precondition the battery before arriving

   Enter the charging station as a destination in MBUX navigation. The EQB will precondition the battery to optimal temperature while you drive. This is the single most effective step in cold weather.

3. 3

   Find a charger rated at 100kW or more

   Use the Mercedes me app or a charger map to locate high-power stations. Ionity, Fastned, and some Shell Recharge stations offer 100kW+ chargers.

4. 4

   Avoid power-sharing stalls

   Choose a charger pair where the adjacent stall is empty. This gives the EQB the full output of the charger.

5. 5

   Charge between 10% and 80%

   Plan stops to arrive between 10% and 15% and leave at 80%. This keeps you in the EQB's fastest charging window.

6. 6

   Check for software updates

   Mercedes releases over-the-air updates that can improve charging behavior. Check MBUX under Settings for available updates.

Station occupancy not updating in the app

The Mer app shows a station as available, but when you arrive, all connectors are occupied or out of service. The real-time status in the app can lag behind by several minutes.

Symptoms

• App shows "Available" but all connectors are in use when you arrive
• App shows a station as occupied but the chargers are visibly free
• Connector status flickers between available and occupied in the app
• Recently freed connectors still show as "In use" in the app for several minutes

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Pull to refresh the station detail in the Mer app

   On the station page, pull down to force a status refresh. The app does not always update automatically, and a manual refresh often shows the correct status.

2. 2

   Close and reopen the app

   Force-close the Mer app and reopen it. This clears any cached station data and pulls a fresh status from the server.

3. 3

   Check a third-party app for a second opinion

   Apps like Plugsurfing, A Better Route Planner, or Google Maps sometimes pull fresher data from Mer's backend. Use one of these to verify availability if the Mer app seems wrong.

4. 4

   Drive to the station if it is nearby

   If the station is less than five minutes away, it is often faster to just go and check. Occupancy can change in the time it takes to troubleshoot the app.

Third-party RFID card rejected

You are trying to authenticate with an RFID card from a roaming provider like Plugsurfing, NewMotion, or Virta, but the Mer charger rejects it. Not all third-party RFID cards are accepted at every Mer station.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows "Card not recognized" after tapping
• The charger beeps once but nothing happens
• Your RFID card works at other networks but fails at Mer
• The charger prompts you to try again but repeated taps do not help

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Hold the card flat against the reader for three full seconds

   Do not tap and remove quickly. Some Mer readers need a longer hold to register the card. Keep it pressed flat against the RFID symbol.

2. 2

   Check if your roaming provider covers Mer stations

   Open your roaming provider's app and search for this specific Mer station. Some providers have roaming agreements with Mer but not for every station type or region.

3. 3

   Use the Mer app instead

   Download the Mer app if you do not have it. Create an account and add a payment method. You can start the session through the app even if your RFID card does not work.

4. 4

   Try contactless bank card payment

   Newer Mer stations have a contactless payment terminal. Look for a card reader with the contactless payment symbol. Tap your bank card or phone to start.

5. 5

   Try a Mer-issued RFID card for future visits

   You can order an RFID card directly from Mer through their app or website. Mer's own cards are accepted at all Mer stations without roaming issues.

Charger screen showing error but no error code

The charger screen displays a generic error message like "Error" or "Fault" without any specific code or explanation. This makes it hard to know if the problem is temporary or if the unit is broken.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows "Error" or a red warning icon with no further detail
• The error appears before you even try to authenticate
• The error appears after plugging in but before power delivery starts
• Screen alternates between the normal start screen and the error message

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Unplug the connector and wait 30 seconds

   Some Mer chargers show transient errors after a previous session ended abnormally. Unplugging and waiting gives the charger time to reset its internal state.

2. 2

   Try the other connector on the same unit

   If the station has a second CCS2 connector, try that one. A hardware fault on one connector does not always affect the other.

3. 3

   Check if other cars are successfully charging at the station

   If nobody at the station is charging, the entire station may be down. If others are charging fine, the issue is limited to your connector.

4. 4

   Report the faulty unit in the Mer app

   Open the Mer app, find the station, and report the issue. Include which connector number has the error. This helps Mer send a technician and warns other drivers.

5. 5

   Move to a different station

   A charger with a persistent generic error is unlikely to start working on its own. Use the Mer app to find the nearest alternative station.

Cable locked and will not release in cold weather

You finished charging but the CCS2 cable will not unlock from your car. In Nordic winters, ice can form around the connector locking mechanism, making it physically difficult to release.

Symptoms

• Pressing the connector release button does not unlock the cable
• The connector feels frozen in place
• Your car shows "Charging complete" but the cable is stuck
• The locking pin on the connector is visibly iced over

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Make sure the charging session has fully ended

   The cable stays locked while a session is active. Stop the session in the Mer app or on the charger screen, then try releasing the connector again. Wait 10 seconds after the session ends.

2. 2

   Try unlocking from your car

   Most EVs have a cable release option in the infotainment system or a button near the charge port. Use your car's unlock function rather than the connector button.

3. 3

   Warm the connector gently

   If ice is the problem, pour lukewarm water (not boiling) over the connector and charge port area. You can also cup your hands around the connector to warm it with body heat. Do not use force or tools to pry it free.

4. 4

   Run the car's cabin heater for a few minutes

   Turning on the car's climate system can gradually warm the charge port area from the inside. This works slowly but can free a mildly frozen connector after 5-10 minutes.

5. 5

   Call Mer support if the cable is truly stuck

   If nothing works after 15 minutes, call the support number on the charger. Mer can remotely release the cable lock on their end. Do not pull with excessive force as this can damage both the connector and your car's charge port.

App requires location services for remote start

The Mer app asks you to enable location services before you can start a charging session, even when you are standing right next to the charger and selected it manually from the map.

Symptoms

• App shows "Enable location services to start charging" popup
• Start button is grayed out until location permission is granted
• The app worked fine before but now demands location after an update
• You can browse the map but cannot start a session without GPS enabled

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Enable location services temporarily

   Go to your phone's settings, find the Mer app, and set location access to "While Using the App." You can change it back after your session.

2. 2

   Make sure GPS has a fix

   In underground parking garages or areas with poor GPS reception, the app may not be able to confirm your location. Step outside or move closer to an open area until the app detects your position.

3. 3

   Use RFID or contactless payment instead

   If you do not want to share your location, use your RFID card or a contactless bank card to start the session. These methods do not require the app at all.

4. 4

   Scan the QR code on the charger

   Some Mer chargers have a QR code that opens the start process in a browser, bypassing the app's location requirement.

Former Grønn Kontakt station not found in Mer app

Mer acquired Grønn Kontakt in Norway, but some older stations may not appear correctly in the Mer app, especially during the transition period.

Symptoms

• Station visible on the street but not on the Mer app map
• Searching by the old Grønn Kontakt name returns no results
• QR code on the charger links to a Grønn Kontakt page that no longer works
• RFID card from Grønn Kontakt account rejected

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Update the Mer app to the latest version

   Older versions of the app may not include recently migrated Grønn Kontakt stations. Update from the App Store or Google Play.

2. 2

   Search by the station's physical address

   Instead of searching by station name, try the street address or zoom into the location on the app map. The station may appear under a new Mer name.

3. 3

   Enter the charger ID manually

   Look for a station or connector ID printed on the charger hardware. Enter this ID in the Mer app's manual start option.

4. 4

   Use contactless payment to bypass the app

   If the station has a payment terminal, tap your bank card to start. This works independently of whether the app has the station listed.