Installing a charger at home is a convenient way to keep your Tesla juiced up and ready to go at all times. On days when the charger doesn’t work, it could be super inconvenient, especially if you don’t have enough juice to find an alternative charger. What’s the fix for the problem?
Here’s how to fix the problem when your Tesla is not charging at home:
- Connect your charger to wifi.
- Check your charger timer settings.
- Use the timer override button.
- Remove the extension cable.
- Check the connector
- Check for malfunction with the charger.
- Check the battery level.
- Check for light signals.
The rest of the article will go into more detail on the steps above to get your Tesla back to charging at home. Start with the most likely cause and work your way up until the problem is solved.
- Troubleshooting Steps
- Connect Your Charger to Wi-Fi
- Check Your Charger Timer Settings
- Use the Timer Override Button
- Remove the Extension Cable
- Check the Connector
- Check for Malfunction With the Charger
- Check the Battery Level
- Check for Light Signals
- Error Messages Explained
- Installation and Wiring
- Preventing Future Issues
Faulty car charging ports and pins, car software glitches, and poor home charging installations or circuits often cause trouble. A simple reset of the home charger can sometimes resolve the issue. Charger-related problems, such as overheating errors and miswired outlets, are also common.
Bent prongs on the plug or a faulty charger can be the culprit. Specific error codes like overcurrent issues, input voltage issues, and connection issues often have straightforward solutions.
Lowering the charging amperage rate or ensuring the handle and charger are clean and fully plugged in can resolve the issue. To fix these problems, you need to identify the root cause.
A simple reset or cleaning of the charger and car ports can resolve the issue. Miswired outlets or faulty chargers may require more extensive troubleshooting or professional help. When dealing with faulty chargers or adapters, check for bent prongs on the plug. Wall connector issues can also cause problems.
Make sure to ensure the handle and charger are clean and fully plugged in to avoid connection issues. In some cases, charger-related issues can be resolved by lowering the charging amperage rate.
Overheating problems can be caused by a faulty charger or poor home charging installations. A dirty port or charging cable can also cause charging issues, which can be resolved by Cleaning the Port.
To maintain safe charging practices, it is crucial to use G2EV adapters with built-in temperature sensors to prevent overheating at the wall connector or charge handle.
Using a Mobile Connector can also resolve charging issues caused by faulty home charging installations.
Troubleshooting Steps
Step | Action |
---|---|
Basic Checks | Check your circuit breaker, power supply, connections, and charging port status. Reset the unit if needed. |
Charging Equipment Checks | Disconnect and reconnect your charger. Inspect for corrosion and loose connections. Use a compatible charger and consult your installation guide. |
Advanced Troubleshooting | Check for ground faults and review your home charging setup. Use the Tesla app to reset the system. If you’re not sure, consult an electrician. Regular cleaning and inspection of the charging port and its components are essential for efficient charging, especially when using a Wall Connector. |
Professional Assistance | Contact Tesla support or visit a service center. Check your warranty and follow recommended maintenance. Document the issue to help the professionals help you. For optimal performance, ensure Power Management settings are properly configured. |
Connect Your Charger to Wi-Fi
The smart charging ability of Tesla chargers is one of their main selling points. Once connected to Wi-Fi, you can monitor usage, schedule charges, and change your settings.
If the charger isn’t connected, you can’t reach those settings, and your charger won’t receive the inputs necessary to start charging your vehicle.
Unfortunately, there’s a 5-minute window for your charger to connect to your Wi-Fi network. After the time, you have to turn off the breaker connected to the charger and turn it back on to restart the process.
Once the charger successfully reconnects to Wi-Fi, it should start charging—depending on your settings.
Check Your Charger Timer Settings
You can set your car to charge only at specific times. So, if you’ve set your charger to only work at night, your car won’t get charged if you come back one afternoon and plug it in.
You likely won’t remember that you’ve got such a setting on, which can leave you frustrated when it’s time to use the car again.
Fortunately, the fix here is simple. With the charger connected to the internet, open your app and adjust the timer so it can work during the day. After the car is juiced up, you can switch to your preferred setting again.

Use the Timer Override Button
Following up on the point above, you can use the timer override button on your car’s dashboard to temporarily cancel any charging schedules keeping your car from getting juiced up when you want.
On a Tesla, it’s as simple as tapping the “Start Charging” button on the touchscreen once you’re plugged in.
If you press the “Stop Charging” function, your scheduled charging times come back into effect.
Remove the Extension Cable
If you’ve just installed a home extension cable, your Tesla likely won’t charge. Modern Tesla charging points typically have more current than these cables can process.
Also, the connector on your car is recessed. The plug probably isn’t reaching as far into the connector as is required to charge the car.
Extension cables are used to make the home charger cable a bit longer. If you move your car closer to the charger, you won’t need the extension cable.
For a more permanent solution to ditching the extension cable, you can either buy a longer standard cable or relocate the home charger to an optimum position.
Check the Connector
If you bought a new home charger model, the charging point connector might be incompatible with your car’s charging point connector. A car with a CCS port (European Tesla models) instead of Tesla’s proprietary port may not work with a US home charger and vice versa.
You can avoid this charging problem by confirming compatibility before installing a home charger. A professional installer won’t make the mistake of installing an incompatible charger.
If they did, call them to remedy the situation by installing a new charger. In the meantime, you may have to charge your car away from home.
Check for Malfunction With the Charger
If your connections aren’t the problem, but the car won’t charge, the charger may have malfunctioned. Does your charger get a lot of use? It’s likely to develop faults that will keep it from charging your EV.
This isn’t a common problem but one you can’t rule out. You can run a diagnostic via your car app to see if the charger is active. If you notice any issue, you can contact service personnel for repairs.
Check the Battery Level
Some Tesla chargers are designed to prevent overcharging. If your battery is fully charged or close to full, the charger may switch off automatically to avoid energy wastage and reduction in your battery capacity.
If the battery is at 80% capacity or more and no longer charging, it may be the charger configuration. Check your manual or talk to your installer for some advice.
Check for Light Signals
Your Tesla charger will use light signals to communicate problems with the system. Below are some examples of light signals, what they mean, and how to rectify the problem.
No Charger Lights
If you can’t find any lights on your charger, you’re dealing with a power supply problem. It shows that there’s no power coming from your breaker panel.
You can solve the problem by confirming that you’ve turned on the power supply. If the charger isn’t responsive while the power supply is turned on, call an electrician to confirm voltage presence at the terminal block. Restoring voltage to the charger should get it working again.
Solid Red Light
If your charger shows a solid red light, it indicates an internal fault. The wall connector may be damaged and need replacement.
You can confirm the problem by turning off the circuit breaker, waiting five seconds, and turning it back on. If the light persists, contact Tesla support or a qualified technician.
In some cases, you may find the red light blinking a specific number of times before stopping (with one-second delays). The number of blinks communicates different problems.
Number of Red Blinks | The Problem | Solution |
One | There’s a ground fault circuit interruption caused by a hazardous current path. | Check your car’s charge port, wall connector, cable, and handle for damage or any signs of water ingress. Call an electrician to confirm that the earth’s ground isn’t connected directly to a branch circuit’s conductor wire. |
Two | There’s high ground resistance or a ground assurance fault. | Call an electrician to confirm that the wall connector is grounded correctly. The “Ground” connection won’t operate properly if it’s not bonded to the upstream power supply. The electrician will also need to check all the physical connections (your electrical panel, wirebox terminals, and junction boxes) for consistency. They’ll also confirm the bond between neutral and ground within your main panel. |
Three | The charger has detected a very high temperature. | Check the system’s faceplate and your cable handle for signs of excessive warmth. Call in an electrician to remove the wall connector from the wire box and confirm that the conductors are sized adequately. They should also confirm that the terminal block is torqued to the right specification. |
Four | Internet features are disabled because of a lost internet connection. | Check for possible interference between the charger and your Wi-Fi signal strength. Ensure the router is operational and re-enter login credentials if they changed recently. |
Five | There’s a power-sharing communication problem that may alter charging speed or prevent charging. | Repeat the commissioning process on your mobile to re-establish your wall-connector links. |
Six | There’s an overvoltage or poor grid quality. | Confirm that your power supply is within 200-240 volts. If your checks confirm a voltage within this range, call in an electrician to disconnect the Wall Connector from your wirebox to confirm that voltage readings are as they should be. |
Seven | The vehicle is displaying an overcurrent. | Reduce the charge current for your vehicle. |
Error Messages Explained
Tesla error codes can be grouped into a few categories: grounding issues, voltage and overcurrent problems, connection and faulty outlet issues, and special cases.
Grounding issues often produce codes like CC_A002 and CC_F002, which indicate insufficient grounding. This could be due to line or neutral faults.
Voltage-related errors, such as CC_A006 and CC_A007, signal that the input voltage is outside the Wall Connector’s rating. Don’t worry if it sounds technical; it’s just a fancy way of saying your charger isn’t getting the right voltage.
Connection issues like CC_A010 and CC_A015 usually point to faulty outlets or incorrect charging handle connections. It’s not uncommon for a loose connection to cause problems. Overheating issues can also occur due to continuous high power usage over long periods, especially with old, miswired, or loose outlets.
Special conditions like proximity faults or thermal sensor issues can also disrupt charging. If you encounter these issues, it’s best to have a professional electrical inspection done to rule out any external adapter issues, incorrect wiring, or ground faults.
A Battery Fuse nearing the end of its lifetime, as indicated by the BMS_u031 error code, can cause reduced speed and acceleration while driving, but the vehicle is still safe to drive until service.
Inadequate power supply from the electrical source can also cause charging failures, often due to Inadequate Power Supply.
Knowing these error codes can save you time and frustration when dealing with charging issues at home. In some cases, like a single event of a “cold winter update”, the issue might resolve itself after waiting for a certain period. It’s simple: identify the code, troubleshoot the problem, and get back to charging your Tesla efficiently.
Installation and Wiring
A safe and efficient Tesla charging experience at home requires attention to installation practices and wiring. Hiring licensed electricians experienced with EV charging systems is a no-brainer to avoid potential pitfalls.
Copper THHN wire is the way to go, rather than aluminum wiring, to ensure safety and reliability. Properly torqued connections are also a must, following the recommended specifications.
Good cable management is key – keeping wiring organized and secure prevents damage and safety issues. Local electrical codes should be complied with, and regular inspections are a must to prevent electrical hazards. For additional support, refer to the Commissioning Steps for a seamless charging experience.
It’s crucial to Use Dedicated Circuits when installing Tesla charging systems, to ensure the system operates efficiently and safely. Troubleshooting installation issues involves inspecting wiring connections, verifying proper Panel Capacity, checking circuit breaker settings, and scrutinizing cable integrity. The Tesla installation manual is a great resource for guidance.
A well-planned installation avoids common wiring mistakes – taking the time to plan and execute it carefully is essential. When selecting a charger, consider the charger’s ability to Communicate with Other Chargers and share power to optimize energy efficiency.
Preventing Future Issues

Regular Maintenance Checks
Check the charger’s green light is on to ensure power to the unit.
Schedule regular inspections of the charging port and pins for any damage and check the charging cables for wear and tear.
Keep Tesla’s software updated to prevent Software Glitches.
Reboot the Tesla system periodically to clear temporary glitches. You’d be surprised how often this simple trick resolves unexpected issues.
Also, always make sure to Align the connector properly to the charge port before charging to prevent any malfunctions and ensure a seamless charging experience.
Ensure your Wall Connector is connected to Wi-Fi Network for optimal performance and easy troubleshooting.
Ready for more insights on Tesla charging? Explore our Ultimate Tesla Charging Guide for expert tips, in-depth comparisons, and proven strategies to streamline every aspect of powering up your EV.
As an added bonus to this article, I’ve created this easy-to-use charging calculator. Simply input your model, charging wattage, and charging percentage, and you will get the estimated time it will take to charge a Tesla in terms of hours. You can play around with numbers a bit just to see how charging time changes: