MG MG5 Charging at Recharge

MG MG5 Charger Won't Start? Step-by-Step Help

You have plugged in your MG MG5 and the charging session refuses to start. The charger might be blinking, showing an error, or doing nothing at all. This is a common problem across all EVs, and the MG5 is no exception. Most causes are easy to diagnose and fix on the spot.

Symptoms

• Charger display shows an error or stays on the start screen
• CCS2 connector plugs in but charging does not initiate
• MG5 charge port light does not turn on or stays amber
• App shows the charger as available but the session does not begin
• AC Type 2 cable locks in but no power flows

What to Do

1. 1

   Read the charger screen

   Check for error messages, authentication prompts, or status indicators. If it says 'waiting for vehicle' the problem is on the car side. If it says 'error' or 'out of service,' the charger is the issue.

2. 2

   Unplug, wait, and replug

   Remove the connector completely, wait 15 seconds, and reinsert it firmly. Listen for the locking click on the MG5's charge port. This resets the communication handshake.

3. 3

   Complete authentication

   Tap your RFID card, open the network app and start the session, or use contactless payment. Some chargers need you to authenticate before plugging in, others after.

4. 4

   Check for scheduled charging

   Go to the MG5's charging settings on the infotainment screen. If a charging schedule is active, disable it to allow immediate charging.

5. 5

   Restart the car's systems

   Turn the MG5 off using the start button, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This can clear temporary software glitches that prevent the charge port from communicating.

6. 6

   Move to another stall or station

   If the charger is at fault, try another stall. If no stalls work, the station may have a site-wide issue. Find an alternative station using your charging app.

MG MG5 Charging Payment Failed? How to Fix It

You are standing at a charger with your MG MG5 and the payment will not work. Card declined, app throwing errors, or no idea how to pay at all. This is one of the most frustrating parts of public charging, and it happens to everyone. Here is how to get past it.

Symptoms

• RFID card not recognized when tapped on the charger
• Charging app shows payment error or transaction declined
• Contactless card payment rejected at the terminal
• Charger starts authentication but then returns an error
• Session begins but ends immediately due to payment failure

What to Do

1. 1

   Identify accepted payment methods

   Look at the charger for payment logos and instructions. Note whether it accepts RFID cards, specific apps, contactless cards, or QR code payments. Each charger may support different methods.

2. 2

   Try the network's own app

   Download the charger network's app, create an account, and add a payment method. Then start the session through the app. This bypasses RFID and contactless issues.

3. 3

   Switch to an alternative payment method

   If your primary RFID card fails, try contactless with your bank card. If that fails, try a roaming provider like Plugsurfing, Shell Recharge, or Chargemap.

4. 4

   Check your bank for blocked transactions

   Open your banking app and look for declined or pending transactions. If the pre-authorization was blocked, call your bank or temporarily increase your card limit.

5. 5

   Try a different stall

   If the card reader on one stall is broken, another stall at the same station may have a working reader. Try the next one before giving up on the location.

6. 6

   Find an alternative station

   Use your charging app to find a nearby station from a network where your payment methods are confirmed to work. Filter by your preferred payment method if the app supports it.

MG MG5 Charging Slowly? Why and How to Fix It

Your MG MG5 is charging slower than you expected. With a maximum DC speed of 87kW, the MG5 is not the fastest charger in its class, but it should still deliver reasonable speeds. If you are seeing numbers well below that, something else is going on. Here is what to check.

Symptoms

• DC charging power showing well below 87kW on the charger display
• AC charging stuck below 11kW on a capable wallbox
• Estimated charging time significantly longer than expected
• Charging speed drops sharply above 50-60% SOC
• Very slow charging in cold weather conditions

What to Do

1. 1

   Check the charger's maximum power output

   Verify the charger is rated above 87kW. If it is a 50kW charger, the MG5 is getting the maximum available. Look at the charger label or check in the network app.

2. 2

   Use preconditioning in cold weather

   Set the fast charger as your destination in the MG5's navigation system. This activates battery preconditioning, which warms the battery before you arrive and improves initial charging speed.

3. 3

   Check your state of charge

   If you are above 60% SOC, the MG5's charging taper is expected. For the fastest session, arrive at the charger between 10-20% SOC and charge to 70-80%.

4. 4

   Try a different stall to avoid power sharing

   If the station shares power between stalls, wait for other cars to finish or move to a stall that is not paired with another active charger. Some stations label which stalls share power.

5. 5

   For AC, verify your cable and charger

   Make sure you are using a 3-phase Type 2 cable on an 11kW or higher AC charger. A single-phase connection limits you to about 3.6kW, which adds many hours to a full charge.

6. 6

   Check car settings for charging limits

   In the MG5's settings, look for any AC current limit or maximum charge level that might be capping your speed.

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.