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EV Charger Not Working: Troubleshooting Guide and When to Call an Electrician
If your EV charger stopped working, check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker first. Then try unplugging the charger from the wall for 60 seconds to reset it. If the charger shows a red light, blinking error, or the breaker keeps tripping, call a licensed electrician. A certified local electrician can diagnose and repair most EV charger issues in a single visit. Free repair quotes below.
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Step 1 Check These Before Calling Anyone
Most EV charger problems are caused by something simple that you can check yourself in under 5 minutes. Work through this list before scheduling a repair visit.
EV Charger Troubleshooting Decision Tree
Work through each step in order before concluding you need a repair visit
1
Check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker
Open your electrical panel and look for a breaker that is in the middle position between ON and OFF. Flip it fully to OFF then back to ON. EV charger breakers are typically 40 to 60 amp double-pole breakers. If this fixes the problem but the breaker trips again within a day or two call an electrician.
2
Unplug the charger from the wall for 60 seconds
For plug-in Level 2 chargers, unplug the unit from the NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 outlet and wait 60 seconds before plugging back in. This clears most software fault conditions. For hardwired chargers flip the dedicated breaker off and back on to reset the unit.
3
Check the charger app and WiFi connection
Smart chargers like ChargePoint, JuiceBox, and Wallbox require WiFi to activate certain features. If your charger lost WiFi connectivity it may show an error and refuse to charge. Check your home WiFi router, reconnect the charger in the app, and try again before assuming hardware failure.
4
Check for error codes in the charger app or manual
If the charger shows a specific light pattern or error code, look it up in your charger brand's manual or app. Many error codes point to solvable issues like a ground fault, temperature shutdown, or communication error that can be cleared without a repair visit. See the error code table below for common brands.
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Call a licensed electrician if none of the above helps
If the breaker trips repeatedly, the charger shows a persistent error after reset, you smell burning, or the charger outlet feels warm call a licensed electrician. These symptoms indicate electrical issues that are unsafe to ignore and need professional diagnosis.
Common EV Charger Error Codes by Brand
Brand
Light Pattern
Meaning
Fix
ChargePoint Home Flex
Solid red
Ground fault detected
Call electrician
ChargePoint Home Flex
Blinking red
Communication error with vehicle
Unplug vehicle and retry
JuiceBox 40/48
Red blinking
WiFi connection lost
Reconnect in JuiceNet app
JuiceBox 40/48
Solid red
Ground fault or overcurrent
Call electrician
Wallbox Pulsar Plus
Red light
Overcurrent or temperature shutdown
Wait 30 min then reset
Wallbox Pulsar Plus
Red flashing
Internal fault detected
Call electrician
Emporia EVSE
Red blinking
No ground or ground fault
Call electrician
Tesla Wall Connector
Red blinking
Error code count blinks
Check Tesla app for code
⚠ Safety Warning Do Not Ignore These Signs
Call a licensed electrician immediately if you notice any of these warning signs. Do not attempt to investigate these issues yourself.
Burning smell near the charger, outlet, or electrical panel. This indicates arcing or overheating wiring that is a fire hazard.
Warm or hot outlet around the NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 receptacle. A correctly installed EV charger outlet should never feel warm during charging.
Breaker trips repeatedly after resetting. A breaker that keeps tripping is protecting you from an underlying electrical fault. Do not tape the breaker on or bypass it.
Visible burn marks or discoloration on the outlet, charger plug, or wiring. Turn off the circuit at the panel and call an electrician before using the charger again.
EV charger still not working after troubleshooting?
A licensed electrician can diagnose and fix most issues in a single visit. Free repair quotes in 24 hours.
The most common reasons an EV charger stops working are a tripped circuit breaker in your electrical panel, a tripped GFCI protection feature built into the charger, a WiFi connectivity issue preventing smart charging functions, a failed internal component, or a wiring problem at the circuit or charger connection. Before calling an electrician check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker, try resetting the charger by unplugging it for 60 seconds, and check the charger app for error codes. If none of these steps resolve the issue a licensed electrician can diagnose the problem in a single visit.
A red light on a Level 2 EV charger typically indicates a fault condition. The specific meaning varies by brand. For ChargePoint a solid red light usually means a ground fault detected which requires an electrician. For JuiceBox a blinking red typically indicates a WiFi or communication error which you can fix through the app. For Wallbox a red light often means overcurrent or temperature protection which may clear after 30 minutes of cooling. Always check your charger brand's manual or app for the specific fault code meaning before calling for service. If the red light persists after reset or indicates a ground fault call a licensed electrician.
A circuit breaker that trips repeatedly when your EV charger is operating indicates an electrical fault that requires professional diagnosis. The most common causes are an undersized breaker for the charger's amperage draw, a loose connection at the breaker or charger that is causing intermittent overload, a failing GFCI function in the charger detecting a genuine ground fault, or a wiring issue in the circuit. Do not repeatedly reset a tripping breaker without diagnosing the cause. A licensed electrician can identify whether the issue is in the breaker, wiring, or charger itself and repair it safely.
EV charger repair costs vary depending on the cause. Simple issues like a loose connection, failed outlet, or breaker replacement typically cost $150 to $400 for an electrician diagnosis and repair. More complex issues like replacing the charger unit itself, rewiring the circuit, or panel work can cost $400 to $1,200. If the charger hardware has failed and is under warranty the charger brand will typically send a replacement unit at no cost and you pay only the electrician's labor to swap it. Get a free diagnostic quote from a certified local electrician before committing to repair costs.
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