Overview
If charging doesn’t start or stops unexpectedly, use these quick, safe checks. Do not open electrical panels or perform repairs yourself. If anything seems hazardous (smoke, burning smell, arcing, flooding), stop and see Safety first — when to stop and call your utility or 911.
1) Basic power & connections
- Charger status lights: Check the front LEDs/indicators. Solid/ready vs fault/blinking codes (note any pattern).
- Breaker position: At your main panel, the EV-charger breaker should be ON. If it tripped, reset once only. Repeated trips = stop and contact your installer.
- Connector fully seated: Unplug, inspect for debris/moisture, reinsert firmly until latched.
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Cable condition: Look for kinks, cuts, scorch marks, or a loose wall mount. If damaged, stop use.
Using a portable charging kit on a NEMA 14-50? Ensure the plug is fully inserted, the receptacle faceplate is secure, and the outlet is not hot to the touch. If it’s hot or discolored, stop and contact your installer.
2) Vehicle settings that commonly block charging
- Charge limit reached: Many EVs stop at a set battery % (e.g., 80%). Raise the limit temporarily to test.
- Scheduled charging/“departure time”: Schedules in the car or charger app can delay charging. Turn schedules off to test an immediate start.
- Charge port latched: Confirm the vehicle reports the connector locked/latched.
- Car “awake”: Open a door or start the vehicle app to wake systems before plugging in.
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Another cable present: Remove any other portable/Level-1 cable from the vehicle’s trunk port and retry.
3) Quick reboot test
- Charger power cycle: Turn the EV-charger breaker OFF, wait 60 seconds, turn ON.
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Vehicle reboot (if applicable): Some vehicles need a brief system restart to clear charging faults (see your vehicle manual).
4) Wi-Fi/app checks (for app-enabled chargers)
- Online status: Open the charger app—does it show the unit online?
- Network basics: 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi often reaches farther than 5 GHz; confirm the SSID/password haven’t changed.
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Schedule/current settings in app: Disable schedules and verify the maximum current is appropriate for your circuit (see next section).
5) Current limit vs. circuit rating (common mismatch)
Your installer set an amperage limit that matches your circuit. If you changed it in the app/car:
- 40 A charger draw → 50 A breaker (80% rule)
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32 A draw → 40 A breaker, 24 A → 30 A, 16 A → 20 A, etc.
If you’re unsure, lower the charger/app current by one step and retry. Repeated breaker trips = stop and contact your installer.
6) If charging starts then stops
- Try a second session: unplug → wait 30 sec → replug.
- Turn off any schedules; set charge limit to 100% temporarily to test.
- Move the vehicle a few inches and reconnect (helps if there’s a latch/angle quirk).
- For NEMA 14-50 use, gently test that the plug doesn’t wiggle or arc; if warm, stop and contact your installer.
7) What to record before you call
- Photo/video of charger lights or any error code in the app
- Whether the breaker tripped and how often
- A brief note of what you already tried (reboot, schedule off, different current, etc.)
Who to contact
- Non-emergency equipment issues: Contact your installer directly using the phone/email in your quote or scheduling emails.
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Life-safety hazards (smoke, fire, shock, flooding): Follow Safety first — when to stop and call your utility or 911.