If you own a Tesla, you probably know how convenient it is to charge your car at home using a Tesla Wall Connector or a Mobile Connector. However, like any advanced technology, it can sometimes present challenges to users. One such issue is when the Tesla charger flashing red.
In this article, we will explain what this red blinking means and what to do when this occurs.
Quick Glance
- A Tesla charger flashing red indicates a problem with the charging process.
- Gen 3 Wall Connector flashing red: Check power supply, grounding, and temperature. Contact Tesla for hardware failure.
- Gen 2 Wall Connector flashing red: Look for ground faults, wiring errors, and voltage problems. Adjust charge settings or contact Tesla for assistance.
- Gen 2 Mobile Connector flashing red: Flash codes indicate temperature-related or electrical faults. Try disconnecting and reconnecting or contact Tesla.
What Does It Mean When Is Your Tesla Charger Flashing Red?
A flashing red light on Tesla charger means that there is a problem with the charging process. It could be due to a variety of reasons, such as:
- A faulty cable
- A problem with the Wall Connector
- A problem with the charging system in your vehicle
- A ground fault circuit interruption
- A power outage or voltage fluctuation
Depending on the number and pattern of the flashes, you can identify the specific cause of the problem. Here is a table that summarizes the meaning of Gen 3 Wall Connector, Gen 2 Wall Connector and Gen 2 Mobile Connector each flash code:
Gen 3 Wall Connector
| Red Light | Meaning | What to do |
| No Lights | Power supply issue, charging disabled | Make sure the electricity is on. If the problem persists, have an electrician remove the Wall Connector from the wire box and check the terminal block voltage using a voltmeter. Then record voltage readings for: L1 to Ground, L2/N to Ground. |
| Solid red | Internal charging disabled | Turn off the circuit breaker, wait 5 seconds, and turn it back on. If the solid red light persists, document part and serial numbers and contact Tesla Energy. |
| One red blink | Ground fault circuit interruption due to unsafe current path, charging disabled | Check handle, cable, Wall Connector, and vehicle charge port for damage or water ingress. Ensure that an electrician verifies that the ground is not directly connected to a conductor wire in the branch circuit. |
| Two red blinks | Ground assurance fault, high ground resistance detected, charging disabled. | Make sure the Wall Connector is grounded. Proper operation requires bonding the upstream power supply ground connector. All physical connections, including wire box terminals, electrical panels, and junction boxes, should be checked. Check the main panel ground-neutral bond in residential power supplies. Ask the transformer’s manufacturer how to join the ground connection. |
| Three red blinks | High temperature detected; charging limited or disabled | Make sure the Wall Connector is connected to Wi-Fi and has the latest firmware for temperature detection. Check the faceplate and cable handle for overheating. An electrician should remove the Wall Connector from the wire box and check the conductor sizes and terminal block torque. |
| Four red blinks | Internet connection lost; online features disabled | Find things that could weaken Wi-Fi signals. Verify the local Wi-Fi router functioning. If the Wi-Fi password changed lately, update the settings using your mobile device’s commissioning method. |
| Five red blinks | Power-sharing communication issue, charging reduced | Look for any objects that may disrupt the Wi-Fi signal in the area. Use your mobile device to follow the commissioning process for re-linking the Wall Connectors to enable power-sharing. |
| Six red blinks | Power-sharing communication issue, charging reduced | Verify that the power supply is nominal 200-240 volts. If the problem persists, have an electrician remove the Wall Connector from the wire box and use a multimeter to check the terminal block voltage. Record voltages for L1 to L2/N, L1 to Ground, and L2/N to Ground. |
| Seven red blinks | Vehicle overcurrent detected | Make sure to decrease the charge current setting of the vehicle. If the problem persists when the associated car is a Tesla, contact Tesla with the VIN and approximate trouble time. If not Tesla, contact the vehicle’s manufacturer. |
Related Post: Tesla Wall Connector Not Connecting to Wi-Fi: A Comprehensive Guide
Gen 2 Wall Connector
| Green Light | Red Light | Meaning | What to do |
| Off | 1 flash | Ground fault. An unsafe path is being traversed by the current leak. Also, possible defects between the Line and Ground or Neutral and Ground. | Disconnect the handle from the car. Reconnect and try again. If the problem persists, switch off the circuit breaker for the Wall Connector and wait 10 seconds. Switch the circuit breaker back on and attempt again. If problems persist, call Tesla. |
| 2 flashes | No ground connection is detected in the Wall Connector. | Ensure that the Wall Connector is correctly grounded. If you are unsure, please consult an electrician for correct grounding at your circuit breaker or power distribution box and for proper connection to the Wall Connector. | |
| 3 flashes | Input mis-wired: possibly Line and Neutral are swapped. | The wiring connecting the wall power to the Wall Connector has been installed incorrectly. Consider getting advice from an electrician. | |
| 4 flashes | Over or under voltage protection. | Consult an electrician for the correct voltage on the circuit breaker for the Wall Connector. | |
| 5 flashes | Over current protection. | Make sure to decrease the charge current setting in the vehicle. If the issue continues with the Tesla vehicle, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Tesla for assistance. If the issue continues and the vehicle attached is not a Tesla, please reach out to the original manufacturer. | |
| 6 flashes | Pilot fault: The pilot level is incorrect, or a communication error occurred between the Wall Connector and the vehicle. | If available, connect the vehicle to another Wall Connector or use the Mobile Connector provided with the vehicle. If the issue continues, please contact Tesla. | |
| Solid | Wall Connector hardware failure. Possible failures include the following:Contactor failedSelf-test failed in CCID circuitryPotential hardware malfunctions could include the MCU, 3V3 output, or the thermal sensor. | Contact Tesla. | |
| Top light on | 1 flash | Over temperature protection (latch off) | Ensure that the Wall Connector, vehicle connectors, and wall plug (if applicable) remain uncovered and are not in close proximity to any heat sources. If the issue persists at temperatures below 38°C, please reach out to Tesla for assistance. |
| 2 flashes | Non-Tesla vehicle Attempting connection to non-compatible input distribution. | The compatible input distributions are single-phase distribution or 400V, three-phase distribution. | |
| 3 flashes | Incorrect rotary switch setting. | Ask for assistance from an electrician. | |
| 4 flashes | Circuit Breaker Sharing Network: More than one Wall Connector is set to Master. | Make sure to configure one of the Wall Connectors as a Slave. | |
| 5 flashes | Circuit Breaker Sharing Network: More than three Wall Connectors are set to Slave. | Make sure to relocate the Wall Connectors to a different circuit and disconnect them from the Circuit Breaker Sharing Network. | |
| 6 flashes | Circuit Breaker Sharing Network: The networked Wall Connectors have different maximum current capabilities. | Contact Tesla. |
Related Post: Differences Between Tesla Mobile Connector Gen 1 vs Gen 2
Gen 2 Mobile Connector
| Green Light | Red Light | Meaning | What to do |
| Streaming | 1 flash | A high temperature found in the car connector causes the charging current to be lowered. | Disconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle and then reconnect it. Make sure to charge in a cooler location, such as indoors or in the shade. If the issue continues, please reach out to Tesla. |
| 2 flashes | Because of a high temperature found in the input plug connecting to the Mobile Connector controller, the charging current is decreased. | Disconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle and the wall. Be sure that the adapter is fully inserted. Then, plug the Mobile Connector into the wall and connect it to the vehicle. If the issue continues, please reach out to Tesla. | |
| 3 flashes | The high temperature detected in the Mobile Connector controller results in a lower charging current. | Disconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle and then reconnect it. Make sure to charge in a cooler location, such as indoors or in the shade. If the issue continues, please reach out to Tesla. | |
| 4 flashes | Because the wall plug’s temperature was found to be high, the charging current was decreased. | Ensure that the power outlet is appropriate for charging and that the plug is properly inserted. Try connecting to another outlet. If uncertain, kindly seek guidance from the electrician. | |
| 5 flashes | Because an adapter fault has been discovered, the charging current is lowered. | Ensure that the adapter of the Mobile Connector is properly attached. | |
| Off | 1 flash | Ground fault. A potentially dangerous path is being traversed by electrical current leakage. | Disconnect and reconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle. Also consider using an alternative outlet. If the issue continues, please reach out to Tesla. |
| 2 flashes | Ground loss is detected by the Mobile Connector. | Ensure that the power outlet is appropriately grounded. Consider connecting to another outlet. If uncertain, kindly seek guidance from the electrician. | |
| 3 flashes | Relay/contactor fault. | Disconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle and then reconnect it. Consider using an alternative outlet. If the issue continues, please reach out to Tesla. | |
| 4 flashes | Over- or under-voltage protection. | Ensure that the power outlet is appropriate for charging and that the plug is properly inserted. Try connecting to another outlet. If uncertain, kindly seek guidance from the electrician. | |
| 5 flashes | Adapter fault. | Ensure that the adapter of the Mobile Connector is securely attached. | |
| 6 flashes | Pilot fault. The pilot level is incorrect. | Disconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle and then reconnect it. Also consider using an alternative outlet. If the issue continues, please reach out to Tesla. | |
| 7 flashes | Software error or mismatch. | Update the vehicle’s software if it is available. If no update is available, contact Tesla. | |
| On | Self-check failed. | Disconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle and then reconnect it. If the error continues, disconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle and power outlet, then reconnect it. | |
| All on | 1 flash | Thermal fault. | Make sure to charge in a cooler location, such as indoors or in the shade. If the issue continues, please get in touch with Tesla. |
| 5 flashes | Adapter fault. Charging current is limited to 8A. | Disconnect the Mobile Connector from the vehicle and then reconnect it. If the error continues, disconnect the Mobile Connector from both the vehicle and the power outlet, then reconnect it. | |
| Off | Off | Power lost. | Make sure to disconnect the Mobile Connector and verify the power outlet’s functionality. |
Related Post : Differences Between Tesla Mobile Connector vs Wall Connector
