Some Tesla drivers may encounter problems when trying to charge their cars at a Supercharger station.
This article will explore some of the possible reasons and solutions for this issue.
Why Tesla Supercharger Not Working?
#1. Faulty Supercharger
Tesla Supercharger may not work is that the Supercharger itself is faulty or damaged.
This could be due to vandalism, weather, power outage, or other factors. A faulty Supercharger may display an error message on the Tesla screen, such as “Charging Equipment Not Ready” or “Unable to Charge”.
In this case, the best solution is to try another Supercharger at the same station or a different location.
#2. Insufficient Funds
Tesla Supercharger may not work is that the Tesla account does not have sufficient funds to pay for the charging session.
The fee is automatically deducted from the payment method linked to the Tesla app.
If the payment method is expired, invalid, or has insufficient balance, the Supercharger may not start or may stop charging before completion.
To avoid this issue, it is advisable to check and update the payment method in the Tesla app before using a Supercharger.
#3. Tesla Battery Protection
Tesla vehicles have a built-in battery protection system that prevents overcharging and overheating.
This system may limit or stop the charging process at a Supercharger if the battery temperature or voltage is too high or too low. This is normal and does not indicate a problem with the Supercharger or the car.
To resume or speed up charging, it may help to adjust the climate control settings, reduce the charge limit, or wait for the battery to cool down or warm up.
#4. Problems with your Tesla
Sometimes, the reason why a Tesla Supercharger may not work is that there is something wrong with your Tesla vehicle.
1. The charge port LED does not flash green when plugged in.
2. The vehicle touchscreen does not display any charging information.
3. The vehicle does not respond to commands from the app or the key fob.
4. The vehicle displays error messages or warnings on the dashboard.
If you encounter any of these problems, you can try some troubleshooting steps such as:
1. Rebooting your vehicle by holding down both scroll buttons on the steering wheel until the touchscreen turns black.
2. Resetting your charge port by pressing and holding it for 10 seconds until it flashes white.
3. Check your fuse box for any blown fuses or loose connections.
4. Contacting Tesla customer service or scheduling a service appointment through the app.
#5. Supercharging During Cold Weather
Supercharging during cold weather can pose some challenges for Tesla drivers. Low temperatures can affect the battery’s performance and efficiency, reducing the range and charging speed.
To prevent this, Tesla vehicles have a pre-conditioning feature that warms up the battery before arriving at a Supercharger station.
This feature can be activated by using the Trip Planner on the vehicle touchscreen or by selecting a Supercharger as a destination in the navigation system.
However, pre-conditioning consumes some battery power, so it is important to have enough charge to reach the Supercharger station.
#6. A software glitch
The car or the Supercharger may have a bug or an update issue that prevents them from communicating properly.
The driver can try rebooting the car by holding down both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10 seconds, or contact Tesla customer service for assistance.
#7. A payment issue
The driver may have an unpaid balance on their account, or their credit card may have expired or been declined.
To resolve this, the driver can update their payment information on the app or the website, or contact Tesla customer service to clear their balance.
#8. A vehicle compatibility issue
The driver may have a non-Tesla vehicle that is not compatible with the Supercharger network or a Tesla vehicle that is not configured for Supercharging.
To avoid this, the driver should check their vehicle model and specifications before using a Supercharger, or contact Tesla customer service to enable Supercharging on their account.
#9. A fuse or battery damage issue
The car may have a blown fuse or a damaged battery that prevents it from accepting any charge.
This is a serious problem that requires professional attention. The driver should contact Tesla roadside assistance or service center for help.
#10. A locked charge port
The car may lock the charge port when it is parked and prevent the driver from unplugging the cable.
To unlock it, the driver can use their phone, key fob, or key card to unlock the car, or press and hold the button on the cable handle until the charge port light turns white.
Why showing “Charging Equipment Not Ready”?
One of the most frustrating error messages that some Tesla drivers may see on their screen is “Charging Equipment Not Ready”.
This means that the Supercharger station is not able to communicate with the vehicle and start charging.
The error message also says “See equipment instructions to start charging”, but this is not very helpful.
There are several possible reasons for this error, such as:
1. The Supercharger station is faulty or undergoing maintenance.
2. The vehicle’s software is outdated or corrupted.
3. The vehicle’s charge port or cable is damaged or dirty.
4. The vehicle’s battery is too cold or too hot.
To fix this error, you can try the following steps:
1. Check the status of the Supercharger station on your vehicle’s touchscreen or Tesla app.
If the station is marked as unavailable or limited, try another station nearby or contact Tesla customer service.
2. Reboot your vehicle by holding down both scroll buttons on the steering wheel until the screen goes black and then release them.
3. Update your vehicle’s software to the latest version by connecting to a Wi-Fi network and tapping ‘Software’ > ‘Check for Updates’ on your touchscreen.
4. Inspect your vehicle’s charge port and cable for any damage or dirt. Clean them with a soft cloth if needed.
5. Precondition your vehicle’s battery by turning on the climate control before you arrive at the Supercharger station.
This will help regulate the battery temperature and optimize charging speed.
Why showing “Unable to Charge”?
Another common error message that some Tesla drivers may encounter is “Unable to Charge”.
This means that the Supercharger station is able to communicate with the vehicle, but cannot deliver any power to the battery.
The error message may also display a specific reason for the failure, such as “Payment Required” or “Supercharging Disabled”.
Some of the possible causes and solutions for this error are:
1. The vehicle’s account has insufficient funds or overdue balance.
To resolve this, you can add a payment method or pay your balance in the Tesla app or website.
2. The vehicle’s Supercharging access has been revoked or restricted by Tesla.
This may happen if you have violated the Supercharging terms and conditions, such as using it for commercial purposes or abusing the network.
To restore your access, you need to contact Tesla customer service and explain your situation.
3. The vehicle’s battery is full or close to full. This may happen if you have set a high charge limit or have been charging for a long time.
To avoid this, you can lower your charge limit or unplug your vehicle when it reaches the desired state of charge.
