Tesla Wall Connector lights: what each colour and pattern means

The Gen 3 Wall Connector talks through a light bar of seven LEDs on its faceplate: green for standby and charging, blue while it talks to the car, and red blink codes for faults. Tesla says every red blink code pauses for one second and then repeats, so count the blinks between pauses: one to seven blinks each mean a different fault.

These lights come from Tesla’s own J1772 Wall Connector Manual in the Tesla Energy Library. Before contacting Tesla about a red light, Tesla asks for a short video of the LEDs, a photo of the part and serial number from the side label, when it happened, the car’s VIN and a photo of any message on the car’s screen.

Connector: these lights are from Tesla’s manual for the J1772 (Type 1) version. What that connector’s label means is on its own page.

1. Every light on for a few seconds after switching on

   The Wall Connector is starting up. Once it is powered at the circuit breaker, all seven LEDs on the faceplate light for up to five seconds.

   Tesla gives no step for this light.

2. Some green lights for 10 seconds after start-up

   After start-up, some of the green LEDs light for 10 seconds. How many depends on the circuit breaker size the charger was set up for, which sets its maximum output: a 60 A breaker gives 48 A, 50 A gives 40 A, 40 A gives 32 A, 30 A gives 24 A, 20 A gives 16 A and 15 A gives 12 A. Tesla’s manual shows the LED pattern for each size as a picture. If several Wall Connectors are linked for power sharing, the centre blue LED also lights in this window.

   1 step from Tesla on its page.

3. Top green light solid

   Standby: the Wall Connector is waiting for a car to be plugged in.

   Tesla gives no step for this light.

4. Every green light streaming

   Charging is in progress. If the green keeps streaming but three red flashes also show, Tesla says charging has been reduced because of high temperature.

   Tesla gives no step for this light.

5. Green light pulsing

   The Wall Connector is broadcasting its own Wi-Fi network (SSID) and is ready to be commissioned, that is, set up from a phone.

   Tesla gives no step for this light.

6. Blue light solid

   Waiting to charge: the Wall Connector is communicating with the vehicle.

   Tesla gives no step for this light.

7. No lights at all

   Power supply issue; charging is disabled.

   1 step from Tesla on its page. Electrical: only Tesla’s own steps are repeated, none that open the charger or touch wiring.

8. Solid red light

   Internal fault; charging is disabled.

   2 steps from Tesla on its page. Electrical: only Tesla’s own steps are repeated, none that open the charger or touch wiring.

9. One red blink, repeating

   Ground fault circuit interruption: an unsafe current path was detected, and charging is disabled.

   1 step from Tesla on its page. Electrical: only Tesla’s own steps are repeated, none that open the charger or touch wiring.

10. Two red blinks, repeating

    Ground assurance fault: high ground (earth) resistance was detected, and charging is disabled.

    Tesla gives no step for this light. Electrical: only Tesla’s own steps are repeated, none that open the charger or touch wiring.

11. Three red blinks, repeating

    High temperature was detected, and charging is limited or disabled. With the green still streaming, charging has been reduced; if the heat keeps rising, the Wall Connector stops charging. Tesla advises installing it where the air stays below 50 °C (122 °F); in rare cases it may reduce current from 35 °C (95 °F).

    3 steps from Tesla on its page. Electrical: only Tesla’s own steps are repeated, none that open the charger or touch wiring.

12. Four red blinks, repeating

    The internet connection was lost; online features are disabled. Charging itself is not named as stopped.

    3 steps from Tesla on its page.

13. Five red blinks, repeating

    A communication problem between Wall Connectors linked for group power management; charging is reduced.

    2 steps from Tesla on its page.

14. Six red blinks, repeating

    Overvoltage or poor grid quality was detected; charging is disabled.

    Tesla gives no step for this light. Electrical: only Tesla’s own steps are repeated, none that open the charger or touch wiring.

15. Seven red blinks, repeating

    Vehicle overcurrent: the car drew more current than expected.

    2 steps from Tesla on its page.

Find a light by colour, movement and flash count on any maker’s charger →