How to Troubleshoot Common EV Charging Problems

Issues with your EV charger can be frustrating but the good news is that many EV charging problems can be fixed by yourself after running through a few simple checks. A quick bit of troubleshooting can save time and avoid an unnecessary callout to get you charging again faster.

Check the Basics

It’s worth checking the simple things first to avoid any further steps – make sure the charging cable is fully inserted at both ends or if there are any signs of visible damage on the cable which may indicate it needs replacing.

If the cable looks fine, next check the power supply. Check your fuse box to see if there are any tripped switches which need turning back on. It’s worth also noticing if other electrical devices are charging to rule out a wider power supply issue.

Check if there are any unusual lights or indicators on your charger or if you have a charger app, check to see if there are any error messages.

⚡Restarting the Charger

Like other electrical devices, sometimes a hard reset can fix the problem. Unplug your vehicle from the charger, and press the power button on your charger. Wait a minute and turn it back on. Some chargers may also have a restart function via a charging app.

Once the charger has restarted, plug in your vehicle once again to confirm if it is now charging. If your charger is displaying a fault code, you can check the manual or app first to see if the issue can be resolved at home.

🔌Try Another Cable

Another way to narrow down the problem is to try charging with a different charging cable to confirm if there is an issue with the original charging cable you were using.

You can also try charging your vehicle at a public charging station to confirm if there is an issue with your home charger.

🔍 Check the Charging Port

The charging port on the vehicle itself can sometimes get blocked with dirt or residue. Clean out the port with a dry cloth or soft brush to remove any blockages.

In colder temperatures, the charging port lock or flap may become frozen. It is important not to force it open as this may lead to damage. Instead, try to warm the area gently and try again.

🚗 Restart the Vehicle

Although it seems simple, sometimes it can help to fully turn off your car and turn it back on again to see if this solves the issue.

🧑‍🏭 When to Call a Professional

Basic checks are sensible but you should stop and contact Hometree if:

• You smell burning or see scorch marks
• The fuse keeps tripping
• There is visible damage to the charger
• The charger shows a persistent fault code that will not clear
• The vehicle will not charge on any charger
  

Raise a Claim with Hometree

If it is unsafe to troubleshoot or the above steps have not resolved the problem, you should raise a claim with Hometree via the customer portal. Our EV Charger cover could have you covered. It helps to have the below information on hand before raising your claim:

• Make and model of the EV charger
• Any fault codes or warning lights
• The date your charger was installed
• When the problem first started
• What happens when you try to use the charger
  

Summary

There are some simple checks you can do yourself to rule out common problems and get your charger back and running quickly, but if the problem persists a Hometree engineer will be happy to look into the issue for you.