What happens if your Tesla does not turn on?
How can you troubleshoot the problem and get back on the road?
In this article, we will explore some of the possible causes and solutions for a Tesla that won’t start.
Whether it’s a battery issue, a software glitch, or a mechanical failure, we will help you find the best way to fix your Tesla and enjoy its amazing features.
How To Fix Tesla Not Turning On Problem?
#1. Change the Key Fob Battery
The key fob is a small device that communicates with your car and allows you to unlock and start it. If the battery is low or dead, the key fob won’t be able to send or receive signals from the car.
To check if this is the case, you can try to use the Tesla app on your smartphone to unlock and start the car.
If the app works, then it means that your key fob battery is likely the culprit. You can also try to use another key fob if you have one.
To replace the key fob battery, you’ll need a CR2032 lithium coin cell battery and a small flathead screwdriver. Follow these steps:
1. Locate the small indentation on the bottom of the key fob and insert the screwdriver into it.
2. Gently pry open the key fob case and remove the old battery.
3. Insert the new battery with the positive side facing up.
4. Snap the key fob case back together and test it with your car.
#2. Replace the display unit of your car if it is broken or defective
You may need to look for signs of cracks, scratches, discoloration, blurriness, or unresponsiveness on your screen.
You may also need professional assistance from a Tesla service center or a certified technician to replace the unit.
#3. Change Tesla’s 12V Battery
The 12V battery is a small auxiliary battery that powers some of the car’s systems, such as the lights, horn, windows, doors, and touchscreen.
If the 12V battery is low or dead, you may see a warning message on your touchscreen or app saying “12V Battery Needs Service” or “Replace 12V Battery Soon.
The 12V battery is supposed to be charged by the main battery pack, but sometimes it can fail or drain faster than normal. This can happen due to extreme temperatures, frequent short trips, or leaving the car unused for a long time.
To check if this is the case, you can try to jump-start the 12V battery using another car or a portable jump starter. Follow these steps:
1. Locate the 12V battery under the front hood of your car and remove the plastic cover.
2. Connect the positive (+) terminal of the 12V battery to the positive (+) terminal of the other car or jump starter using a jumper cable.
3. Connect the negative (-) terminal of the other car or jump starter to a metal ground point on your car, such as a bolt or a bracket.
4. Turn on the other car or jump the starter and wait for a few minutes.
5. Try to start your car using the key fob or app.
If this works, then it means that your 12V battery is likely the culprit. You should drive your car to a Tesla service center or schedule a visit with a mobile tech as soon as possible to have the 12V battery replaced.
#4. Check the battery level and charge your car if it is low or empty
You can use a Tesla Supercharger, a public charging station, or a home charger to replenish your battery. You can also use a portable charger or call roadside assistance if your car is stranded.
#5. Reboot or reset your car’s computer system if it is frozen or glitchy
You can do this by pressing and holding the two scroll buttons on the steering wheel, or by going to the Safety and Security menu on the touchscreen and selecting Power Off.
Wait for a few seconds or minutes until the screen turns back on and the system restarts.
#6. Inspect and repair the electrical circuit or wiring of your car if it is damaged or faulty
You may need to look for signs of physical damage, water exposure, corrosion, loose connections, or faulty components.
You may also need professional assistance from a Tesla service center or a qualified electrician to fix the problem.
#7. Perform a diagnostic test and troubleshoot the electrical system of your car if it is malfunctioning or failing
You may need to look for error codes, warning lights, or abnormal sounds or behaviors from your car.
You may also need professional assistance from a Tesla service center or a skilled mechanic to diagnose and fix the problem.
1. Cool down your car if it is overheating or experiencing a thermal shutdown.
You may need to move your car to a shaded area or open the windows and doors to lower the temperature.
You may also need to wait for a few minutes or hours until your car cools down and restarts automatically.
2. Wait for the system update to complete and restart your car if it is in progress. You may need to check the status and progress of the update on your Tesla app or on the touchscreen.
You may also need to avoid interrupting or canceling the update, as this may cause problems or errors.
3. Replace the battery or bring it closer to the car if your key fob is not available or recognized.
You may need to check if your key fob is working properly and has enough battery power. You may also need to make sure that your key fob is within range of your car and not blocked by any metal objects.
4. Press the brake pedal firmly or check if it is stuck or loose if your car does not detect that it is pressed.
You may need to make sure that your brake pedal is functioning properly and not obstructed by any objects.
You may also need to adjust the brake pedal sensitivity in the Settings menu on the touchscreen.
#8. Other Reasons
There are some other less common issues that can cause your Tesla to not turn on, such as:
1. Faulty door latch or sensor making the car think that the door is open and preventing it from starting
2. Defective high voltage battery pack or contactor causing a loss of power to the car
3. Damaged wiring or fuse causing a short circuit or a fire in the car
These issues are more serious and require professional diagnosis and repair. You should contact Tesla roadside assistance or a service center immediately if you suspect any of these issues.
Why is Tesla Not Turing On?
#1. Flat Battery
One of the most common and obvious reasons why your Tesla may not turn on is that the battery is depleted.
This can happen if you forget to plug in your car overnight, or if you leave it parked for a long time without charging.
A flat battery can also result from excessive vampire drain, which is the loss of charge when the car is idle due to various computer systems running in the background.
To prevent your battery from going flat, you should regularly check your battery’s range and charge level, and plug in your car whenever possible.
You should also turn off features that consume a lot of power when not in use, such as Sentry Mode, Smart Preconditioning, and third-party apps.
If your battery is completely drained, you may need to call roadside assistance or use a portable charger to jump-start your car.
#2. Software Glitch
Another possible reason why your Tesla screen or car may not turn on is that there is a software glitch or bug that causes the system to freeze or crash.
This can happen due to various factors, such as corrupted files, incompatible updates, network issues, or user errors.
A software glitch can affect the functionality and performance of your car, as well as the display and responsiveness of your screen.
To fix a software glitch, you can try to reboot or reset your car’s computer system. There are different ways to do this, depending on the model and situation of your car.
For example, you can press and hold the two scroll buttons on the steering wheel for a few seconds until the screen turns black and restarts.
You can also go to the Safety and Security menu on the touchscreen and select Power Off to shut down and restart your car.
#3. Circuit Problem
A third possible reason why your Tesla may not turn on is that there is a problem with the electrical circuit or wiring of your car.
This can happen due to various causes, such as physical damage, water exposure, corrosion, loose connections, or faulty components.
A circuit problem can prevent the flow of electricity from the battery to the screen or other parts of the car, resulting in a loss of power or functionality.
To fix a circuit problem, you may need to inspect and repair the wiring and connections of your car.
This may require professional assistance from a Tesla service center or a qualified electrician.
You should also avoid driving or charging your car if you suspect a circuit problem, as this may pose a safety risk or cause further damage.
#4. Faulty Display Unit
A fourth possible reason why your Tesla screen may not turn on is that the display unit itself is faulty or broken.
This can happen due to various reasons, such as manufacturing defects, physical impacts, extreme temperatures, moisture, dust, or wear and tear.
A faulty display unit can affect the quality and clarity of your screen, as well as its touch sensitivity and responsiveness.
To fix a faulty display unit, you may need to replace it with a new one.
This may require professional assistance from a Tesla service center or a certified technician. You should also avoid using your screen if it is cracked or damaged, as this may cause further problems or injuries.
#5. Electrical System Malfunction
A fifth possible reason why your Tesla car may not turn on is that there is a malfunction with the electrical system of your car.
This can happen due to various factors, such as software errors, hardware failures, power surges, overheating, or external interference.
An electrical system malfunction can affect the operation and communication of various components and sensors of your car, such as the battery management system (BMS), the powertrain control module (PCM), the high voltage contactors (HVC), and the 12-volt battery.
To fix an electrical system malfunction, you may need to perform a diagnostic test and troubleshoot the problem.
This may require professional assistance from a Tesla service center or a skilled mechanic. You should also avoid driving or charging your car if you suspect an electrical system malfunction, as this may cause further issues or hazards.
#6. Thermal Shutdown
A sixth possible reason why your Tesla screen or car may not turn on is that there is a thermal shutdown due to overheating.
This can happen if your car is exposed to high temperatures for a long time, such as in direct sunlight or in a closed garage.
A thermal shutdown is a protective mechanism that shuts down your car’s computer system and other components to prevent damage from excessive heat.
To fix a thermal shutdown, you need to cool down your car by moving it to a shaded area or opening the windows and doors.
You should also avoid using features that generate heat when not needed, such as climate control, seat heaters, or entertainment systems. You may need to wait for a few minutes or hours until your car cools down and restarts automatically.
#7. System Update in Progress
A seventh possible reason why your Tesla screen or car may not turn on is that there is a system update in progress.
This can happen if your car is connected to a Wi-Fi network and receives an over-the-air software update from Tesla.
A system update can improve the functionality and performance of your car, as well as add new features and enhancements.
However, during the update process, your car may temporarily shut down or become unresponsive. To fix a system update in progress, you need to wait for the update to complete and restart your car.
This may take a few minutes or hours, depending on the size and speed of the update.
You should also avoid interrupting or canceling the update, as this may cause problems or errors. You can check the status and progress of the update on your Tesla app or on the touchscreen.
#8. Other Possible Reasons
Besides the reasons mentioned above, there may be other possible reasons why your Tesla screen or car may not turn on. Some of these include:
#1. Key fob not available: If you use a key fob to unlock and start your car, you may need to replace its battery or bring it closer to the car if it is not detected or recognized.
#2. Door sensor malfunction: If your car does not sense that the door is open or closed, it may not turn on or off properly. You may need to check and clean the door sensor or latch if it is dirty or damaged.
#3. Brake pedal not pressed: If your car does not detect that the brake pedal is pressed, it may not turn on or shift gears. You may need to press the brake pedal firmly or check if it is stuck or loose.
#4. Gear selector not in the park: If your car does not detect that the gear selector is in the park, it may not turn off or lock properly. You may need to move the gear selector to park or check if it is jammed or broken.
If none of these reasons apply to your situation, or if you are unable to fix them yourself, you should contact Tesla support or visit a Tesla service center for further assistance.
They can help you identify and resolve the problem, as well as provide you with warranty coverage or compensation if applicable.
Conclusion
Tesla is a remarkable and reliable electric car brand, but it is not immune to problems that can prevent it from turning on.
Some of the possible reasons why your Tesla screen or car may not turn on are a flat battery, software glitch, circuit problem, faulty display unit, electrical system malfunction, thermal shutdown, system update in progress, and others.
To fix these problems, you can try various solutions such as rebooting, resetting, charging, cooling down, replacing, repairing, updating, or contacting Tesla support.
We hope this article has helped you understand why your Tesla may not turn on and what you can do about it. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Thank you for reading!
