Mercedes-Benz EQS Charging at Mer

Mercedes-Benz EQS Charger Won't Start a Session

You connected the CCS2 cable to your EQS's right rear charge port, but the Hyperscreen shows no charging activity. No power flowing, no progress. This is frustrating, especially in a flagship sedan where everything should just work. The cause is usually authentication, cable seating, or the charger itself, not the EQS.

Symptoms

• CCS2 connector plugged in but the Hyperscreen shows no charging activity
• Charger screen displays an error or stays idle after authentication attempt
• Plug & Charge does not authenticate automatically at a supported station
• Charge port LED does not illuminate or blinks an error pattern
• Mercedes me app shows the EQS as connected but not charging

What to Do

1. 1

   Remove and firmly reseat the CCS2 connector

   Pull the connector out of the right rear charge port. Check for debris or moisture. Push it back in straight and firm until you hear a click and see the charge port LED respond. The CCS2 connector is heavy, so support it with both hands to ensure proper alignment.

2. 2

   Authenticate manually if Plug & Charge failed

   Open the charging network's app and start the session by scanning the QR code or selecting the charger. If you have an RFID card for this network, tap it on the reader. Do not wait for Plug & Charge if it did not work within 30 seconds.

3. 3

   Disable scheduled charging in MBUX

   On the Hyperscreen, open Settings, then Charging. Turn off any departure time or scheduled charging window. At a public charger, you want charging to start immediately. Re-enable scheduled charging when you are back at your home wallbox.

4. 4

   Lock and unlock the EQS to reset the charge controller

   Use the key or Mercedes me app to lock the car. Wait 15 seconds, then unlock. This resets the charge port locking mechanism and the onboard charging communication module. Reconnect the cable after unlocking.

5. 5

   Try a different connector or charger at the station

   If the station has multiple CCS2 connectors, try a different one. If the entire station seems unresponsive, use MBUX navigation to find another nearby charger. Report the faulty charger through the network's app.

Mercedes-Benz EQS Payment Failed at Charging Station

You are standing next to your EQS at a public charger and payment will not go through. Plug & Charge did not activate, the app shows an error, or your card was declined. Payment failures are one of the most common reasons charging sessions do not start. With the EQS, you have multiple authentication options to try before giving up.

Symptoms

• Plug & Charge does not authenticate when the CCS2 cable is connected
• Contactless card declined at the charger's payment terminal
• Mercedes me Charge or the network's app shows a payment error
• RFID card not recognized by the charger reader
• Session starts but stops immediately with a billing-related error

What to Do

1. 1

   Try Plug & Charge by connecting the cable

   Plug the CCS2 connector into the EQS's right rear charge port. Wait up to 30 seconds for Plug & Charge to authenticate. Check the Hyperscreen for a charging confirmation. If nothing happens after 30 seconds, Plug & Charge is not working at this station.

2. 2

   Use the charging network's app to start the session

   Open the app for the charging network shown on the charger. Scan the QR code or enter the charger ID. Start the session through the app. Verify your payment method in the app is valid and not expired.

3. 3

   Try contactless payment at the charger terminal

   If the charger has a contactless payment terminal, tap your bank card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. If the first card is declined, try a different one. Some terminals accept only certain card brands.

4. 4

   Verify your Mercedes me Charge account

   Open the Mercedes me app. Go to Charge settings and check that Plug & Charge is enabled and your payment method is current. If you recently changed your payment method, it may need time to sync. Try restarting the Mercedes me app.

5. 5

   Try a different RFID card or roaming provider

   If you carry multiple RFID cards, try another network. Roaming providers with broad European coverage (Chargemap, Maingau, Shell Recharge) can fill gaps where Mercedes me Charge does not reach.

6. 6

   Find an alternative charger nearby

   If payment fails on this charger entirely, use the Hyperscreen to find another station nearby. A different charging network may accept your payment method. Filter by the networks you know work with your cards.

Mercedes-Benz EQS Charging Slower Than Expected

You plugged in your EQS at a 300 kW charger expecting close to 200 kW, but the Hyperscreen shows 50 kW. Or your home wallbox is stuck at 3.6 kW instead of 11 kW (or 22 kW if you have the optional upgrade). The EQS has a huge 118 kWh battery that can take a while to warm up. Slow charging is almost always temperature, state of charge, or the charger, not a defect.

Symptoms

• DC fast charging speed well below the 200 kW maximum shown on the Hyperscreen
• AC charging stuck at 3-4 kW instead of 11 kW or 22 kW
• Charging speed drops sharply after reaching 50-60% state of charge
• Charging session starts at reasonable speed but slows within minutes
• The 118 kWh battery takes significantly longer to charge than expected

What to Do

1. 1

   Route to the charger using MBUX navigation

   Enter the charging station as your destination on the Hyperscreen or MBUX. This activates automatic battery preconditioning for the 118 kWh pack. The EQS will display a preconditioning notification. Given the large battery, start routing at least 20-30 minutes before arrival for maximum benefit in cold weather.

2. 2

   Check your state of charge before expecting peak speed

   The EQS reaches 200 kW only at lower state of charge levels. For the fastest DC charging, arrive between 10-20%. If you are above 60%, the speed reduction is normal. With 580 km of range, you often do not need to charge above 80% on road trips.

3. 3

   Verify the charger can deliver the speed you expect

   Check the charger's rated output on the unit itself or in the charging app. A 50 kW charger will never give your EQS more than 50 kW. Look for chargers rated 150 kW or higher to take advantage of the EQS's capabilities. Avoid stalls paired with another vehicle.

4. 4

   Check AC charging settings and wallbox compatibility

   Open the charging settings in MBUX. Confirm the charge current is set to maximum. If you have the optional 22 kW onboard charger, verify your wallbox is 3-phase 32A. For the standard 11 kW charger, you need at least 3-phase 16A.

5. 5

   Check if Plug & Charge negotiated the correct power

   The EQS supports Plug & Charge. Occasionally, authentication issues cause the charger to default to a lower power tier. Unplug from the right rear charge port, wait 30 seconds, and reconnect. Check MBUX for any authentication errors.

6. 6

   Try a different charger

   If the speed is still low after checking all settings, try a different charger. Some chargers degrade over time. Use MBUX navigation or the Mercedes me app to find a high-power charger (150 kW+) nearby.

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.