Tesla Wall Charger Troubleshooting: Quick Tips and Fixes

Are you tired of your Tesla Wall Charger not working properly? Do you find yourself constantly resetting it or struggling to connect your vehicle to it? You’re not alone. The Tesla Wall Charger is a crucial component for charging your electric vehicle, and when it’s not functioning correctly, it can be a major inconvenience. So what are the first Tesla Wall Charger Troubleshooting steps?

If your Tesla wall charger won’t charge, first check lights, cables, power supply, and circuit breaker. Try resetting, power cycling, verifying grounding, and updating firmware. If problems persist, consult support or an electrician. Proper steps restore Tesla charging, ensuring safe operation.

In this article, I’ll be giving you a guide of how to troubleshoot some of the minor complications your Tesla wall charger may encounter. You’ll learn how to diagnose the problem and take the necessary steps to get your charger back up and running in no time.

Troubleshooting Steps If Your Tesla Wall Charger Isn’t Working

There are several things you can try if your Tesla Wall Charger isn’t working. If you see a red blinks on your charger or on the circuit breaker, this is an indication that there is an issue with your wall charger.

The troubleshooting steps below describe what you can try to do to fix the problem.

1. Check The Electrical Connections

First things first, check the electrical connections. Ensure your wall connector is securely plugged into both the power outlet and your Tesla. If that doesn’t work, verify the power supply by testing another device in the same outlet.

Check the charger’s indicator lights for unusual patterns or error codes. If the lights are not illuminated or display error messages, it could be a power issue or internal problem. Inspect the charger and cables for physical damage like fraying or exposed wires.

Check for signs of overheating or burning. Make sure all connections are secure and free from debris.

Verify the outlet providing power to the charger is working and the circuit breaker has not tripped. Power outages can interrupt charging sessions, which may require manual intervention to resume charging.

If Autopilot features are unavailable, check for additional alerts indicating the cause; typically, Autopilot features are restored on the next drive APP_w048. If the Automatic Emergency Braking feature is unavailable, it may be due to 12V Battery Issues or other conditions affecting AEB functionality.

Test the charger with another vehicle if possible. This will help determine if the issue is with the charger or your Tesla. Properly connected electrical components are essential, so double-check those too.

2. Reset Your Wall Connector To Get A Green Light

Resetting your Tesla could help you erase most of the minor issues with your wall connector.

How Do I Reset My Tesla Wall Connector?

Resetting a wall connector is pretty easy. Below are the outlined steps:

• Turn off the circuit breaker to which the charger is connected.
• Let it stay inactive for 10-15 seconds so that the internal residual current can flow out.
• Switch it back on.
• Give it a few seconds to resume power. If the resetting was a success, you should see a bright green light in front of the circuit breaker.

3. Check Your Wi-Fi Settings

Tesla uses Wi-Fi to update and upgrade their devices. For this reason, your Tesla charger needs to stay connected at all times.

Make sure that your wi-fi connection is working by checking if you can use the network for other apps on your phone.

If there is a problem with your Wi-Fi connection, check that your router is connected to a reliable power supply and that your Wi-Fi settings are correct.

How Do I Know if My Tesla Wall Connector is Connected to The Wi-Fi Network?

If you are uncertain if your wall charger is connected to the Wi-Fi, here’s how to verify:

• Hold down the cable handle button for about 5 seconds or so.
• A bright green light would appear on the LED, and the Wi-Fi access point would broadcast autonomously for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi signal emitted from the charge point.
• After that, you would need to input a 12-digit password. You will find this password on the front page of your charger’s quick start guide.
• Input your Wi-Fi details where necessary.

4. Try Unplugging It And Plugging It Back In

This sounds like very cliché advice, but it can be relevant if your Tesla charger isn’t charging!

• First, make sure the connector is properly plugged in.
• If properly connected, remove it from both the outlet and the car and plug it back in. Make sure to insert one end into the Outlet first before the vehicle.
• If the issue persists, you may need to contact your installer. 

5. Check The Ambient Temperature

If your charger is not charging your vehicle as fast as it usually does, the most likely reason is experiencing a hot temperature. Tesla chargers are weather resistant and are hardly susceptible to harsh weather conditions.

There are cases when your charger gets overheated due to high temperatures. When this happens, although it rarely does, it would be best to give the charger some time to cool off. A few minutes’ rest could work the magic and boost your charger back to active service.

6. Check The Charger’s Installation

Improper installation is also another possible reason why your charger is not working. If not correctly inducted, both the charger and the charging gun begin to heat up unnecessarily.

Unless you’re a certified electrician or installer, do not attempt to fix the charge point by yourself. Call for professional help instead.

7. Count The Number Of Red Lights

If your vehicle is not getting charged and there’s a bright red light on the LED in front of the Tesla wall connector, you can rectify this by simply resetting the circuit breaker. If there’s still no change after this, you should contact your installer. 

Why Is My Tesla Wall Connector Blinking Red Lights?

One of the indications that your wall connector is faulty is the blinking of red lights. The light may be one or more, and the different number of lights indicates a different error each time. If you’re wondering, “What does the red light on my Tesla charger mean?” the below guide is for you.

• One red light: one red light blink is an inkling of a ground fault circuit break due to the passing of an unsafe current. You should invite an electrician to come to ascertain if the earth’s ground is directly linked to a conductor wire in the brand circuit.
• Two red lights: When two red lights are blinking on your wall connector, it is either a sign that high ground resistance has been detected or there was a ground assurance fault. You should contact the installer for a guide on how to bond the ground connection.
• Three red lights: Three red lights blinking is an indication that a high current has been detected. You should feel the faceplate, and the cable for heat, then invite an electrician. The electrician knows what best to do.
• Four red lights: Disconnection from wifi or loss of internet connection could prompt the blinking of four red lights. You should ratify if the local wifi is still functional, and if the password was recently changed, you should have it updated via wifi settings.
• Five red lights: When the number of blinking lights moves to five, it is an indication that power was shared, thus, reducing the acceleration of its charging. You should incapacitate all objects that would interfere with the strength of the connector’s wifi.
• Six red lights: this is an indication of poor grid quality or high voltage. You could either verify the rate of power surging through by yourself or have an electrician bring down the wall connector and ascertain if the voltage value falls between 200 and 240 volts.
• Seven red lights: This is a fault from the vehicle. Seven red lights signify that the vehicle is undergoing high current. Reduce the charge current of the vehicle. If the blinking continues, proceed to contact the official Tesla Support line.

Understanding Light Codes

Tesla Wall Chargers come equipped with diagnostic light indicators. These lights can provide valuable insights into the charger’s status and any potential issues.

Some common light codes to be aware of:

• No light: indicates a power supply issue; check if the power supply is turned on and verify voltage at the terminal block.
• Green light: indicates the charger is on standby or actively charging; verify the vehicle is properly connected and the power supply is stable.
• Blue light: indicates communication with the vehicle or a scheduled charge; verify the vehicle and charger are properly aligned for communication.
• Blinking lights: indicate high temperature in the charge port or plug; verify good ventilation and check ambient temperature.

If you encounter issues with Autopilot features, make sure to check for alerts such as APP_w009 which indicates that Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable. These lights can be lifesavers when troubleshooting. Knowing what they mean can get your Tesla back to charging quickly.

Addressing Grounding Issues

Grounding issues with your Tesla Wall Charger can be frustrating. They are not uncommon, and they can prevent your charger from working properly.

To fix the issue, start by inspecting the ground connections at the circuit breaker or power distribution box. Make sure they are properly connected to the Wall Connector.

Next, verify that the earth ground is not directly connected to a conductor wire in the branch circuit. Check the GFCI for ground faults or high ground resistance, which could indicate current leakage through an unsafe path.

If you suspect a grounding issue, try resetting the Wall Connector by turning off the circuit breaker for a brief moment. Then, turn it back on. Inspect the handle, cable, Wall Connector, and vehicle charge port for damage or signs of water ingress.

If the issue persists, call an electrician. They can inspect and verify that all wiring and connections are properly made according to the installation guide. Do not be afraid to spend a few hundred dollars to fix the issue – it is worth it to ensure your charger operates safely and efficiently. Also, ensure Proper Grounding is in place, with the ground connection bonded in the upstream power supply.

8. Check For Software Updates

After dealing with grounding issues, it is time to tackle another common problem: software and firmware issues. These issues can be frustrating, but they are often easy to resolve.

Some common software and firmware issues to look out for include firmware updates introducing new fault codes or interrupting charging, Wi-Fi connection issues preventing firmware updates, and light indicators signaling firmware-related problems.

Manual update processes may be necessary when the Wall Connector is not connected to Wi-Fi.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, try power cycling your Wall Connector. This usually resolves the issue.

Only 0.2% of Wall Connectors are currently on firmware version 23.8.2, which contains references to RS485.

If the problem persists, you may need to manually update the firmware. Resetting your Wall Charger can also clear fault messages and resolve issues related to internal glitches.

Regularly updating the Wall Connector’s software can resolve issues and improve performance update importance.

If none of these steps work, contact Tesla customer support for further assistance. They will help you get your Wall Charger up and running in no time.

Additionally, ensure your Wall Connector is commissioned correctly for proper charging and firmware updates by using the Tesla One app and scanning the QR code from the installation Quickstart Guide, which is a crucial step in the commissioning process.

9. Contact Tesla Support if Necessary

If you’ve followed the troubleshooting steps and are still facing charging problems, don’t hesitate to reach out to Tesla’s customer support. They have a dedicated team of experts who can provide further guidance and assistance.

Common Reset Methods

Tesla Wall Charger Troubleshooting: Reset To Start Tesla Charging

Common Reset Methods

Is your Tesla wall charger on the fritz? Before attempting advanced troubleshooting, try these simple reset methods to get it up and running.

• Physical Reset Button: Press the reset button for 2-3 seconds to clear fault messages. Hold it for 5 seconds for a reboot without recycling input power.
• Circuit Breaker Reset: Flip the circuit breaker off for 10 seconds, then back on. Wait for the charger to power up.
• Wi-Fi Connection Check: Ensure your wall connector is connected to Wi-Fi for software updates. Check if it has power, then connect to its Wi-Fi signal using a mobile device for troubleshooting. Ensure the network supports WPA2/3-secured connections. Make sure you are using the correct authentication method, such as WPA2, as WPA2/3 may not be compatible.
• Charger Power Cycle: Unplug your car, let the charger reset, and try charging again.

If you are still experiencing issues, inspect the charging cable for visible damage such as frayed wires or bent pins. Ensure you are using the appropriate Level 2 Charging method for efficient charging. Also, check the charger’s LED light strip to determine its status, such as solid green for standby or green streaming light for charging.

These methods can resolve common issues and get your charger working again.

How Do I Know If My Tesla Is Charging?

When you plug in your Tesla for charging, keep an eye on the charge port light and the instrument panel. They have some cool tricks to show you!

While your Tesla is charging, the charge port light will pulse in a friendly green color. It’s like a little heartbeat for your car, letting you know that the charging process is in full swing. And hey, don’t forget to glance at the instrument panel! It’ll display the real-time charging status, giving you the inside scoop on how quickly those electrons are flowing.

As your Tesla gets juicier and the charge level inches closer to full, you’ll notice something interesting—the pulse of the charge port light starts to slow down. It’s like your car is taking a breather, saying, “Hey, I’m almost there, just a little more to go!” It’s a neat way for your Tesla to keep you updated on its charging progress.

Now, here’s the grand finale! When your Tesla is fully charged and ready to hit the road, the charge port light stops pulsing and turns into a solid, confident green. It’s like a green light at an intersection, giving you the go-ahead to unplug and embark on your next adventure.

Further Troubleshooting Steps

If you have ruled out software and firmware issues, inspect the charger for installation-related problems like no power or ground faults. This involves checking the circuit breaker and voltage at the terminal block.

For electrical and wiring issues, verify the power supply voltage, check for high ground resistance, and inspect for overcurrent detection.

The process can be a bit tedious, but it is worth it in the end.

If basic troubleshooting does not reveal the issue, reset the charger according to the generation type. For Gen 3 chargers, this means turning the circuit breaker off for 10 seconds. For Gen 2 chargers, press and hold the reset button for 3 seconds until the top light changes from red to green.

Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that the installation meets Code Compliance to prevent any electrical hazards.

After resetting, check if the charger works. If not, contact Tesla for further assistance.

In short;

Check the charger’s indicator lights for unusual patterns or error codes, and ensure the power supply is functioning correctly. If issues persist, try pressing the physical reset button or flipping the circuit breaker off and on. Sometimes, a charger power cycle or inspecting the charging connection resolves the problem. Common causes for a non-functioning Tesla wall charger include faulty electrical connections, tripped circuit breakers, or malfunctioning charging units. Identifying and addressing these potential issues can help get your Tesla charged and back on the road.

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: