Mercedes-Benz EQS Charging at Recharge

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.

Charger stuck in "preparing" state

You authenticated successfully, the charger says "preparing," but it never starts delivering power. This is one of the most reported issues on Recharge stations, especially at older units.

Symptoms

• Charger screen shows "Preparing" or "Initializing" for more than two minutes
• Your car's charging indicator does not activate
• The Recharge app shows the session as active but 0 kW delivered
• The charger fan spins up but no power flows

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Wait up to three minutes

   Some Recharge units, particularly the 300kW stations, take longer to complete the power handshake with your car. Give it a full three minutes before taking action.

2. 2

   Unplug and reconnect

   Remove the CCS2 connector, wait 15 seconds, then plug it back in firmly. This resets the communication between your car and the charger.

3. 3

   Stop the session in the Recharge app and start a new one

   Open the Recharge app, tap Stop on the active session, wait for it to fully end, then start a new session on the same charger. This clears any stuck state on the backend.

4. 4

   Try the other connector on the same unit

   Many Recharge stations have two CCS2 connectors. If one is stuck, the other connector on the same unit often works fine.

5. 5

   Use a different authentication method

   If you started with the app, try your RFID card instead, or vice versa. Sometimes the issue is with the authentication path, not the charger hardware.

Old Fortum branding causes app scan failure

Recharge was originally part of Fortum's charging operations before being spun off as a separate company. Some older stations still display Fortum logos and QR codes. Scanning an old Fortum QR code with the Recharge app may not work, or it may redirect to a dead Fortum page.

Symptoms

• QR code on the charger opens a Fortum website or shows an error
• Recharge app says "Charger not found" after scanning
• Station ID on the physical unit does not match what the Recharge app expects
• The charger has Fortum branding but is listed as Recharge in third-party apps

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Ignore the QR code and search by station name in the Recharge app

   Open the Recharge app, use the map or search to find the station by location. The charger will appear under its Recharge name even if the physical unit still says Fortum.

2. 2

   Enter the charger ID manually

   Look for a numeric ID on the charger, often printed on a sticker near the connector. In the Recharge app, tap "Enter ID" and type it in directly.

3. 3

   Use RFID or contactless payment instead of the app

   Tap your Recharge RFID card or a contactless bank card on the reader. This bypasses the app entirely and works regardless of the branding on the charger.

4. 4

   Check if contactless is available on this unit

   Not all Recharge stations support contactless bank card payment. Look for a card reader terminal on the charger. If there is no terminal, you will need the app or an RFID card.

RFID card from old Fortum account not recognized

If you had a Fortum Charge & Drive account and RFID card, it may not work automatically on the Recharge network. Some cards were migrated, others were not.

Symptoms

• Tapping your old Fortum RFID card shows "Card not recognized" on the charger
• The charger beeps but does not start a session
• Your Fortum card works on some stations but not others

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Log in to the Recharge app and check your RFID cards

   Open the Recharge app, go to your account settings, and look under RFID cards. If your old Fortum card is not listed, it was not migrated automatically.

2. 2

   Re-register your RFID card

   In the Recharge app, tap "Add RFID card" and follow the steps. You will need the card number printed on the back of your RFID card.

3. 3

   Use the app to start the session while you wait for RFID activation

   RFID card registration can take up to 24 hours to propagate across all stations. Use the app to authenticate in the meantime.

4. 4

   Order a new Recharge RFID card if re-registration fails

   Some older Fortum cards use a chip format that is not compatible. You can order a new Recharge RFID card through the app or website.

Contactless payment not accepted

You are trying to tap your bank card or phone to pay, but the charger does not respond or shows an error. Contactless payment availability varies across Recharge stations.

Symptoms

• No card reader terminal visible on the charger
• Card reader shows "Payment failed" or does not respond to taps
• Apple Pay or Google Pay not recognized
• The charger prompts for an RFID card but you only have a bank card

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check if this station supports contactless payment

   Look for a separate payment terminal with a contactless symbol. Not all Recharge stations have been upgraded. The Recharge app shows payment options for each station on the station detail page.

2. 2

   Try removing and re-holding your card

   Hold your card flat against the reader for at least three seconds. Some terminals need a longer hold than you might expect. Remove the card fully, then try again.

3. 3

   Fall back to the Recharge app

   If contactless is not working, open the Recharge app and start the session from there. You need a payment method saved in the app.

4. 4

   Try a different card

   Some Visa Electron and certain prepaid cards are not accepted by the payment terminals. A standard Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card usually works.

Charging speed much lower than expected

The station is rated for 300kW, but your car is only pulling 50kW or less. While your car's battery management limits the maximum speed, Recharge stations can also throttle power.

Symptoms

• Charger display shows far less power than the station's rated capacity
• Charging speed drops suddenly mid-session
• Other cars at the same station are also charging slowly
• The Recharge app shows the session but at low power

How to Fix It

1. 1

   Check how many other cars are charging at the same station

   Recharge stations with multiple connectors often share a power cabinet. If two or three cars are charging simultaneously, the available power per car drops. This is normal and not a fault.

2. 2

   Check your battery level

   DC fast charging slows significantly above 80% on most EVs. If your battery is above 70-80%, the slower speed is your car protecting the battery, not a problem with the Recharge station.

3. 3

   Check the temperature

   In cold weather, your car may limit charging speed until the battery warms up. This can take 10-15 minutes of charging before speeds increase. Some cars precondition the battery if you set the charger as a destination in navigation.

4. 4

   Try a different connector at the station

   Individual connectors can have faults that limit power output. If another connector is free, unplug and try it.

5. 5

   Report the issue in the Recharge app

   If the speed is unusually low and none of the above apply, report it through the Recharge app. Tap the active session and look for a "Report issue" option. This helps Recharge identify hardware problems.