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This guide is for general troubleshooting only. EVcourse is not affiliated with Iberdrola. For account issues or charger-specific faults, contact Iberdrola support directly.

Troubleshooting

Iberdrola Charger Not Working?

Updated March 2026

Iberdrola is a major Spanish energy company operating a growing charging network across Spain and Portugal. Stations deliver up to 350 kW through CCS2 connectors and support the Iberdrola app and contactless card payment. If something is not working, these are the most common problems and how to fix them.

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Iberdrola Quick Reference

Max power
350 kW
Connectors
CCS2
Payment
app, contactless
Type
Charge Point Operator

Showing 5 of 5 issues

App defaults to Spanish

The Iberdrola app opens in Spanish regardless of your phone's language setting. Finding the language switch can be confusing if you do not read Spanish.

Symptoms

  • All app text is in Spanish after installation
  • Language setting is not obvious in the menus
  • Error messages and charger instructions appear only in Spanish
  • Switching your phone's language does not change the app

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Open the app settings and look for 'Idioma'

    'Idioma' means 'Language' in Spanish. It is usually under the profile or settings menu (gear icon). Tap it and select English or your preferred language.

  2. 2

    Check the profile or account section

    Some versions of the Iberdrola app place the language selector inside the user profile rather than in general settings. Look for your name or account icon at the top of the screen.

  3. 3

    Update the app to the latest version

    Iberdrola has been improving multi-language support. Older versions may not have your language available. Update from the App Store or Google Play.

  4. 4

    Use a roaming app as a backup

    If the language barrier is too frustrating, roaming apps like Chargemap, Shell Recharge, or Electropass work at many Iberdrola stations and offer broader language support.

Contactless payment session timeout

After tapping your card on an Iberdrola charger, there is a short window to plug in the cable and start charging. If you take too long, the session times out and you need to tap again.

Symptoms

  • You tapped your card but by the time you connected the cable, nothing happened
  • Charger screen shows 'Session expired' or returns to the start screen
  • You were charged a pre-authorization but no energy was delivered
  • The charger seemed ready but then went back to idle

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Plug in the cable first, then tap your card

    At Iberdrola stations, connect the cable to your vehicle before tapping your contactless card. This gives the charger the best chance to start immediately after authentication.

  2. 2

    Tap your card again and act quickly

    After the tap, you typically have 60 to 90 seconds to complete the connection. If you missed the window, tap again. The pre-authorization from the first attempt will be released.

  3. 3

    Use the Iberdrola app instead

    The app does not have the same time pressure. You can connect the cable, open the app, select the charger, and start at your own pace.

  4. 4

    Check your bank statement for ghost charges

    Failed contactless attempts may show a pre-authorization hold. These are not actual charges and typically release within 3 to 7 business days. Contact your bank if they persist.

Confusing signage at gas station locations

Some Iberdrola chargers are located at gas stations (Repsol, Cepsa, or others). The EV charging area may not be clearly separated from the fuel pumps, and signage can be confusing.

Symptoms

  • You cannot find the EV chargers at the gas station
  • GPS directs you to the fuel pumps instead of the charging area
  • Signage points to 'carga' or 'recarga' but the direction is unclear
  • The charging spots are behind the gas station building or in an overflow lot

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Look for the charging area separate from the fuel pumps

    EV chargers at gas stations are almost always in a dedicated area away from the fuel pumps. Look for tall charger cabinets (about 2 meters high) rather than fuel dispensers.

  2. 2

    Drive past the fuel pump area

    The charging area is often behind the main building, in a side lot, or at the far end of the property. Drive through the station slowly and look for the Iberdrola or charging network signage.

  3. 3

    Ask the gas station attendant

    If the station has staff, ask where the electric charging points are. In Spanish, 'Donde estan los cargadores electricos?' gets the point across.

  4. 4

    Check the Iberdrola app for station photos

    The station detail page in the Iberdrola app sometimes includes photos or access instructions that help you find the chargers within a larger gas station complex.

Mix of slow and fast chargers at the same station

Some Iberdrola stations have both AC chargers (7 to 22 kW) and DC fast chargers (50 to 350 kW) next to each other. It is easy to plug into a slow charger by mistake if you are not paying attention.

Symptoms

  • You expected fast charging but your dashboard shows only 7 or 22 kW
  • The charger you plugged into looks smaller than the others at the station
  • You used a Type 2 cable instead of a CCS2 connector
  • The charging session is going to take hours instead of minutes

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Check the charger label for power output

    Iberdrola chargers display their rated power (e.g., 50 kW, 150 kW, 350 kW) on the unit. Look for this label before plugging in. AC chargers (7 to 22 kW) are typically smaller and have Type 2 sockets.

  2. 2

    Use the CCS2 connector for fast charging

    The CCS2 connector is the large combined plug for DC fast charging. If you used the smaller Type 2 plug (round with pins), you are on AC and will charge slowly.

  3. 3

    Check the Iberdrola app for charger details

    The app shows each charger unit's power level at a station. Before plugging in, confirm which unit is the high-power DC charger.

  4. 4

    Unplug and move to the fast charger

    If you accidentally started an AC session, stop the session in the app, unplug, and move to the DC fast charger. You will not be charged a penalty for a short session.

Power delivery varies by time of day

Some Iberdrola stations deliver noticeably less power during peak grid hours (typically early evening). This is due to grid constraints, not a charger fault.

Symptoms

  • Charging speed is significantly lower in the evening than the same station delivered in the morning
  • Speed starts high but drops during peak hours even at low battery levels
  • Other vehicles at the station also show reduced speeds at the same time
  • The charger does not reach its rated power despite your vehicle supporting it

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Check your battery level first

    The most common reason for reduced charging speed is a battery above 60 to 80% state of charge. Your vehicle limits the charging rate at higher battery levels regardless of the charger's capability.

  2. 2

    Try charging during off-peak hours

    If your schedule allows, charge during late evening (after 10 PM) or early morning. Grid demand is lower and the station can deliver its full rated power.

  3. 3

    Check for power sharing between chargers

    If multiple chargers are in use at the same station, they may share a grid connection. Charging when fewer vehicles are plugged in can improve your speed.

  4. 4

    Try a different station nearby

    Not all Iberdrola stations have the same grid connection. A station a few kilometers away may have a better power supply and deliver higher speeds during peak hours.

  5. 5

    Accept the reduced speed if you are above 60%

    If your battery is above 60%, the speed reduction is mostly from your vehicle's battery management, not the grid. This is normal and protects your battery's long-term health.

Iberdrola App Tips

  • Download the Iberdrola app before traveling to Spain or Portugal. Change the language to English in the app settings (look for 'Idioma' under profile or settings).
  • Use the Iberdrola app's map to distinguish between AC (slow) and DC (fast) chargers at each station. The app labels each unit's power level.
  • Enable session notifications so you know immediately when charging finishes or stops. This is especially useful at gas station locations where you might be inside the shop.
  • Check the Iberdrola app for real-time availability before driving to a station. Stations at popular highway rest stops can fill up during holiday travel periods.

Payment Troubleshooting

  • Contactless card payment works at most Iberdrola fast chargers. Plug in the cable first, then tap your card. You have about 60 to 90 seconds to complete the connection after tapping.
  • The Iberdrola app has no time pressure for starting a session. If contactless payment keeps timing out, use the app instead.
  • Pre-authorization holds for contactless payment can be up to 80 EUR. The actual charge appears later and the hold is released within a few days.
  • Check per-kWh pricing in the Iberdrola app before starting. Rates vary by charger power level and location.

When to Contact Iberdrola Support

Contact Iberdrola support through the Iberdrola app (Help section) or call the phone number displayed on the charger unit. For billing disputes or pre-authorization holds that do not release, email the support address listed in the app. At gas station locations, the gas station staff cannot help with charging issues, so use the app or the number on the charger.

You can also report charger issues through the Iberdrola app. Reporting helps them fix problems faster.

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