EV Charger Not Working Here are the Top Fixes Before Calling an Electrician

With the convenience of charging at home, an EV charger is no longer a luxury. It is part of your everyday routine. But when your charger suddenly stops working and your car refuses to charge, panic kicks in. Is it the charger? The car? The fuseboard?

Before calling an electrician, there are several quick checks you can do. In many cases, the problem is something small that can be solved in minutes. In this guide, we walk you through the most common issues, why they happen and what you can do to fix them safely.

1. Check the Power Source

It sounds simple, but it is the first step. Your charger might not be the problem at all.

Start with these checks:

• Is the fuseboard switched on
• Is the dedicated EV circuit switched on
• Has a breaker tripped

EV chargers draw more power compared to standard household appliances, especially fast chargers. If your home’s fuseboard is older or already working at maximum capacity, the sudden load can trip the breaker automatically.

Try this:

Turn the circuit breaker for the EV charger off then back on. If it keeps tripping, stop and leave it. This means something else is causing the overload and a professional needs to inspect it.

2. Inspect the Cable and Plug

Your charging cable works hard every single day. It gets bent, twisted, stepped on and sometimes even rolled over by the car tyre. Wear and tear is normal.

Look for:

• Frayed areas
• Cuts or exposed wires
• Burn marks or melted plastic near the plug
• Loose connection where the cable attaches to the charger

Do not use the charger if you see damaged wiring. EV chargers handle high voltage and it can be dangerous. A replacement cable might be all you need.

3. Make Sure the Charger is Connecting to the Car

Sometimes the charger itself is fine, but the connection to the vehicle is not secure.

Check:

• Is the charging plug fully inserted
• Are there any obstructions in the charging port
• Is there dirt, dust or moisture inside the connector

Use a dry cloth to clean the plug. Do not spray anything into the charging port. If your vehicle has a locking mechanism on the port, make sure it is not jammed.

Tip:

Try unplugging and plugging it back in. Some EVs need the plug inserted firmly until you hear a click.

4. Restart the Charger

Just like WiFi routers and laptops, EV chargers sometimes need a quick reset.

To reset:

• Turn off the charger at the breaker
• Wait 20 to 30 seconds
• Switch it back on

This clears temporary faults or software errors. Smart chargers rely on software updates and internet connectivity, so occasionally they freeze or glitch.

5. Check Your App or WiFi Connection

If you have a smart EV charger, the issue could be digital rather than electrical.

Ask yourself:

• Has your internet dropped out
• Does the charger show offline in the app
• Is there a scheduled charging time set that prevents immediate charging

Smart chargers can be programmed to charge during off peak hours to save on electricity costs. If that is set, your EV may be waiting for the scheduled time rather than charging instantly.

Open the app and check whether:

• Scheduling is turned on or off
• Firmware updates are pending
• The charger status shows ready or fault

If an update is available, install it. Updates fix bugs that may be preventing charging.

6. Verify the Vehicle Settings

Sometimes the car is the real culprit.

Check:

• Is the charging limit set too low
• Did the car stop charging because it reached its pre set limit
• Is the charging port locked

Many EVs allow you to set a percentage limit such as charging only up to 80 percent to protect the battery. If that is active, the charger may appear to not work when in fact the car has stopped charging as instructed.

Go into the vehicle settings and review your charging preferences.

When You Should Stop Troubleshooting

There are situations where a professional is needed immediately:

The charger trips the breaker repeatedly

• You smell burning
• The fuseboard or charger gets unusually hot
• You see burned or melted parts
• You get any type of electrical shock sensation

These signs indicate a deeper fault. Continuing to use the charger can be dangerous.

When to Call an Electrician

If none of the simple fixes work, it might not be the charger but the electrical system in your home. EV chargers require a dedicated circuit and a fuseboard that can handle the additional load. Older fuseboards may not meet today’s safety requirements, especially if they still use outdated RCDs.

A qualified electrician should inspect:

• The fuseboard capacity
• The wiring
• The circuit protection (RCD type)
• Earthing and bonding

At JJB Electrical, we regularly upgrade fuseboards that are not compatible with EV charger installations. A quick inspection can prevent repeated faults and ensure the charger is safe to use.

Home EV charging should be simple. Most issues have easy fixes, such as resetting the charger, securing the cable connection or adjusting app settings. But if you notice anything related to overheating, tripping circuits or exposed wiring, stop immediately and book an inspection.

Your safety always comes first.

Need Help With an EV Charger

If you live in Cheshunt, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire or Essex, we can diagnose and repair EV charger issues or recommend the right charger for your home.

Call 01992 276087 and speak to our team, or request a quote online and we’ll get back to you right away.