What to do if your electric car does not charge properly?

Having an electric car means enjoying a clean and quiet ride. However, it can be frustrating when the vehicle does not charge as it should. If this happens to you, don’t worry: the important thing is to identify what is causing the charging interruption.

That is why, in this text we talk about the main reasons why your electric car does not charge, and we help you find out how to find out if the problem is in the charger or in the car and, in case it is in your hand, give you the steps to follow to try to solve it at home.

Why is my electric car not charging?

There are several reasons why your electric car may refuse to charge. These are the most common ones:

• Electrical problems at home. Short circuits or blown fuses in the electrical installation can be common, but it is also possible that the circuit breaker is tripped in the control panel, or that the connection points are loose. A check should be made to make sure that the cables are not in bad condition.
• Fault in the domestic charger. It may be that the charger itself has an internal defect, that the charging cable is damaged or stripped, or that the wall socket is not well fixed, or has a poor contact.
• Inadequate battery temperature. Lithium-ion batteries have an optimum temperature range. Therefore, if they are exposed to temperatures below freezing, or above 40º C, they may suffer limitations and may even cause a temporary interruption in charging.
• Pending software updates. Some cars block charging until a system update is installed. The car may also need to be recalibrated to bring its systems up to speed before a new charge.
• Communication errors between car and charger. The charging protocol (e.g. CCS, CHAdeMO or type 2) does not match or there is interference, which can cause a disconnection in the communications between car and charger. The charge control signal may also not be detected properly.
• Safety protections activated. If the car detects moisture in the connector, charging may be prevented. These safety systems are designed to prevent electrical incidents due to water leaks, voltages or spikes in the network.

How to know if it is the charger that is faulty?

To isolate the problem, it is important to distinguish whether the fault is in the car or in the charger. These tips will help you to check it:

• Try another charging point. Take your car to a public charger or to a friend’s house with a charger and see if the car actually charges. If it does, the problem could be with your charger, rather than your vehicle.
• Use a different charging cable. If you have a type 2 cable, you could try a different one. A damaged cable may not establish a good connection, causing interruptions in charging.
• Observe the indicator lights. The charger usually has green or orange lights that indicate the charging status. If the light is steady red or orange, it is a sign of an error.
• Check the messages on the car’s display. Most electric vehicles display error codes. Write it down to report it.
• Check the electrical outlet. To do this, with a tester or multimeter, measure the voltage at the socket. Make sure you have the correct voltage (230 V for single-phase, 400 V for three-phase).
• Check the ambient temperature. Take the charger out of the garage or trunk and leave it at room temperature for a few minutes. See if the device starts working again when it warms up or cools down.

If after these tests the car does not charge at any point, the fault is most likely in the vehicle. On the other hand, if the car charges well in another charger, the problem is in your home equipment.

Do not forget that a proper maintenance of the charger is essential to extend its life and avoid possible charging problems. If you don’t know where to start, here are some tips to keep your electric car charger in perfect condition.

Steps to solve charging problems with your electric car at home

Here is the step-by-step procedure to get your home charger up and running and safely recharge your vehicle:

• Check the electrical panel. Make sure the main switch and circuit breaker for the charging circuit are in the “ON” position. If it tripped, reset it and try charging again. Don’t forget to check the circuit breakers as well.
• Visually inspect the charger and cable. Look for signs of overheating, cracks or chafing. Check the connectors for moisture and dirt. Wipe gently with a dry cloth.
• Check the power outlet. Unplug the charger and plug in another appliance (e.g., a lamp). If it does not work, the outlet is probably faulty. Also check the internal connections or call an electrician if you don’t feel comfortable tinkering.
• Try another cord or adapter. Replace the charging cable with a spare or borrow one. Make sure it is compatible with your car’s standard.
• Reset the charger, if it has a reset button. Some models include a small “Reset” switch. Press and hold it for a few seconds to reset the unit.
• Check the car’s configuration. Check the charging menu on the display. Confirm that the charge timer does not limit the time or percentage. Make sure you do not have “Vacation” or similar mode activated.
• Warm up or cool down the charger if it is very cold or hot. Let the charger run indoors for a few hours before attempting to charge. If the temperature inside the garage exceeds 40 °C, vent it.
• Update the car’s software. Connect the car to the Internet or home Wi-Fi network. Check the “Updates” menu for pending updates. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check the error codes. Write down any messages or codes displayed by the car. Look up their meaning in the manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Apply the specific recommendations.
• Call the technical service. If none of the above solutions work, contact the official service. Provide details of the tests performed and the error codes. You will avoid unnecessary trips and speed up the repair.