Diagnostic guide · SolarEdge optimiser N/A

SolarEdge optimiser showing N/A — what's causing it and how it gets fixed

One or more optimisers in your SolarEdge monitoring portal are greyed out or showing N/A. It means those optimisers have stopped communicating with the inverter. This guide explains why it happens, how many panels it's costing you, and what the engineer will do to fix it.

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Optimiser showing N/A?

Tell us how many optimisers are affected, whether it's one unit or a sequence, and share a monitoring portal screenshot if possible. We identify the specific unit and cause from portal data before any site visit.

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One N/A optimiser reduces output proportionally. Multiple N/A units in sequence usually means a string wiring fault, not individual failures.

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13 Trustpilot reviews

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I have a GivEnergy system consisting of two batteries, two inverters and a controlling EMS (Energy Management System) which has not worked since Nov 2025. After six months I discovered Solar Tech Support, reached out to them and Ron phoned me back – how often do you get that service? Could not be more helpful – worked directly with me over the phone, outside what I would call normal working hours. Lucid explanations and we were able to discuss the issues and history using camera and email history. As this was a very rare setup, Ron was able to access an EMS expert in the field to confirm the solution. One sunny day in, I am now only paying for standing charge and a few pence for spikes in grid consumption while battery catches up with house demand.

Ian · May 2026 Trustpilot

When my GivEnergy system had an issue, I was completely left without support and had honestly lost all hope. Thankfully, I searched online and found Ron, which completely turned things around. After sending him a message, he responded incredibly fast and called me to assure me that he would get the problem fixed. I really admire his dedicated, supportive nature and his determination to find a solution. With this kind of outstanding attitude and customer service, he has absolutely secured a future customer in me.

Sree · May 2026 Trustpilot

Ron want out of is way to help, nothing was to much. He was very thorough in what he did Very knowledgeable I would highly recommend Ron and his company He did a fantastic job for me. if you have any problems, he'll do his best to help you out and resolve your problem. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them

Dennis Brown · May 2026 Trustpilot

Ron took me through a diagnostic to confirm my GivEnergy Inverter had a fault. A common one as it turns out with the AC Inverter. As GivEnergy is defunct there is no immediate fix, aside from sourcing 2nd hand replacement. It may be that a fix becomes available over the summer which would make a lot of GivEnergy customers happy (Again)

Tony Deacon · May 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Ron with a problem and he sorted it out quickly with no problems at all. Very knowledgeable on anything solar/ batteries. I would recommend him to anyone

Phill · May 2026 Trustpilot

I've spoken to Ron a couple of times with issues with my Givenergy installation. Such a friendly knowledge guy very highly recommended. Thank you very much for resolving my issues

michael fairhurst · May 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Solar Tech Support in desperation. After explaining the issues I had with my system a diagnosis was made and a solution proposed. Fantastic service, even contacted a manufacturer to arrange replacement parts for me. Great communications, explained all they were doing and what I had to do, clearly and precisly. Followed up to confirm all was ok. Excellent service.

Mr Machin · May 2026 Trustpilot

After GivEnergy went into liquidation, just my luck, my battery started playing up (internal board crashed). Contacted my installer - not interested! Found Solar tech support on a Google search. Sooo glad I found this company! Ron is extremely helpful and has plenty of experience. He soon confirmed what the fault was, and helped me to get my system up and running again. Now moved my GivEnergy account to Solar tech support, and will definitely use again if I have more issues. Unusual to find such a helpful company in these times, no morons reading scripts, just direct contact with the engineer.

Keith Ballard · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Solar Tech Support when trying to understand what my Givenergy inverter problem might be and what might be my options. Received good/honest advise which backed up my thoughts.

Hugh Speirs · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Ron is a super star. Two months ago my GivEnergy battery failed a firmware upgrade leaving it a brick. My installer couldn't/wouldn't fix it. GivEnergy couldn't/wouldn't fix it. Then they went into administration and all hope was lost. A flurry of emails later and Ron had diagnosed the fault (failed USB flash drive, something I'd suspected) and talked me through resolving it. Two months of nothing resolved in about 3 hours. It's great to work with someone who pays attention to the details, knows that they're doing (not just following a script) and gets stuff sorted without a fuss or up-charging.

Christopher · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

I can add to the list of customers who had already 'given up' on GivEnergy due to their appalling customer service, and that was before they went into administration (their Trustpilot reviews don't lie!). So you can imagine my desperation when, having changed my ISP and my Inverter, predictably, proving to be the only device that didn't connect automatically to my new network, I found zero prospect of any customer support with GivEnergy having called in the administrators just five days earlier! The salvation came from Solar Tech Support. My IT advisor stumbled across their web site and some very helpful tips for beleaguered GivEnergy customers, as well as an offer to provide direct assistance. Nothing ventured, I decided to drop them an E-Mail, with very low expectations based on my experience of GivEnergy customer support. Within an hour Ron had responded with some pin point advice, and after a few exchanges of E-Mails he had nailed the problem, enabling the combined efforts of my IT advisor and solar installer to resolve it and reconnect my Inverter. Thank you Solar Tech Support, and Ron in particular, for coming to the aid of a deserted and despondent GivEnergy customer. Expert, razor sharp advice and first class customer service, even though I wasn't officially a customer.

customer · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

This company are a rare gem, I had a very unusual problem following a failed firmware upgrade on my GivEnergy kit. I then found out GivEnergy were in administration and had dismissed all their support staff! None of the usual fixes to try and restore my inverter comms would work, and I looked everywhere, forums, GivEnergy youtube support videos - even AI couldn't figure it out. My installer was talking about huge sums for system replacements, and being vague / evasive about if they'd even install replacement GivEnergy inverter. Enter Solar Tech Support, reassuring and knowledgeable from the very start, I've learnt loads about my solar system though the friendly chat while my engineer worked as he diagnosed the problem and figured out a fix procedure that I've not found anywhere else - amazing . If you need solar system repairs - especially if you like me have been left high and dry by GivEnergy, I cannot recommend this company enough. Give them a call.

Andy Thomas · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

I sent a message on their website regarding a problem I have on my Givenergy system. Although not supplied by Ronald, I thought it was worth an email. Within the hour on a Saturday, he phoned and we discussed the problem. He logged in remotely and gave excellent advice. I'm too far away for his on-site help but he did diagnose the problem and was happy also to chat through my thoughts about an upcoming solar/battery install I'm planning. Great bloke.... if only he was nearer!

Philip · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Ian · May 2026 Trustpilot

Sree · May 2026 Trustpilot

Dennis Brown · May 2026 Trustpilot

Tony Deacon · May 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Ron with a problem and he sorted it out quickly with no problems at all. Very knowledgeable on anything solar/ batteries. I would recommend him to anyone

Phill · May 2026 Trustpilot

I've spoken to Ron a couple of times with issues with my Givenergy installation. Such a friendly knowledge guy very highly recommended. Thank you very much for resolving my issues

michael fairhurst · May 2026 Trustpilot

Mr Machin · May 2026 Trustpilot

Keith Ballard · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Solar Tech Support when trying to understand what my Givenergy inverter problem might be and what might be my options. Received good/honest advise which backed up my thoughts.

Hugh Speirs · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Christopher · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

customer · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Andy Thomas · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Philip · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

SolarEdge hub All problems No production Red light Arc fault HD-Wave failure Optimiser N/A Comms failure Fault codes →

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N/A means the optimiser has stopped communicating — not necessarily that it's failed

SolarEdge optimisers send data back to the inverter over the DC power line (power line communication). When that signal stops — whether because the optimiser itself has failed, a connector has developed a fault, or a cable break has interrupted the communication chain — the monitoring portal marks that optimiser as N/A. It is a communication status, not a definitive failure verdict. A soft reset fixes some N/A faults. Others need on-site investigation to find the root cause.

Diagnosis steps

Step by step

How to diagnose SolarEdge optimiser N/A

Work through these in order. Steps 1–3 can be done from inside the house. If the fault doesn't resolve by step 4, an engineer is required.

Map which optimisers are N/A — pattern is everything

Log in to monitoring.solaredge.com and go to the layout view. Open SolarEdge Go on Bluetooth as well if you can, to cross-reference. In the layout view, greyed-out panels are the N/A optimisers. Note their positions carefully — the pattern tells you a lot before the engineer arrives:

Single isolated panel

Most likely a failed optimiser unit itself. Does not affect other panels. Check warranty status.

Consecutive run of panels

Communication chain broken at the first affected unit. Usually a connector, cable break, or one failed unit breaking the PLC chain.

All panels N/A

Wider system or communications fault. Check whether the inverter is powered and whether any data at all is showing in the portal.

Take a screenshot of the layout view — the engineer will ask for this. If multiple N/A panels are not contiguous (scattered randomly), that may indicate individual unit failures rather than a chain break — useful information for the engineer.

Check SolarEdge Go for fault codes — P404 and P500-range

Open SolarEdge Go on your phone via Bluetooth. Stand within 3–4 metres of the inverter. Navigate to Alerts or the Device Status section. The codes to look for:

P404 — Optimiser pairing lost / communication failure. Directly maps to an N/A in the portal.

P500–P599 — Optimiser output fault. The specific code narrows the failure mode.

P401 — String connectivity issue. Could indicate a wiring or connector fault affecting multiple optimisers.

If you see P700 or P701 (Arc Fault Detected) alongside the N/A optimisers, stop here. That is a safety event and takes priority. See the arc fault detected guide before doing anything further.

If SolarEdge Go doesn't show a fault code for the N/A optimisers, note that down — it suggests the inverter has lost contact with the unit entirely rather than receiving an active fault report.

Check whether total system output has dropped — and by how much

In MySolarEdge, compare today's production chart to the same day type last week. If overall output has dropped by roughly the proportion of N/A optimisers (e.g. 2 of 16 panels = roughly 12% drop), the N/A units are contributing zero and the rest of the system is working normally. This confirms the fault is isolated to the affected optimisers and helps quantify the impact.

How to calculate the production impact

Divide the number of N/A optimisers by your total panel count. If you have 14 panels and 2 are N/A, you're losing approximately 14% of potential output on clear days. A single N/A panel on a 16-panel system costs roughly 6–7% of daily generation — about 2–3 kWh per sunny day depending on system size.

If the overall production drop is much larger than the proportion of N/A panels would explain, there may be an additional problem — a wiring fault affecting the whole string or a grid-side issue. Note this for the engineer.

Try a soft reset — AC isolator off for 60 seconds, then on

Before calling an engineer, try one soft reset. Go to your consumer unit and switch the solar PV circuit breaker (usually labelled "Solar PV", "SolarEdge", or "PV Inverter") to the OFF position. Wait 60 seconds. Switch it back on. Allow 10–15 minutes for the system to restart and the monitoring portal to refresh — SolarEdge monitoring can take up to 15 minutes to update after a restart.

If the N/A clears after reset

The fault was likely a temporary communication glitch — perhaps caused by a brief power fluctuation or a firmware event. Monitor for recurrence over the next few days. If the N/A comes back, the fault is persistent and needs investigation.

If the N/A remains after reset

The fault is persistent — either a failed optimiser, a damaged connector, or a broken DC string section. An on-site visit is required. Do not continue resetting.

Only attempt a soft reset if you have not seen a P700/P701 arc fault code. If there is any possibility of an AFCI event, do not restart the system — follow the arc fault guide instead.

Contact a qualified solar engineer with the pattern and fault codes

If the soft reset doesn't resolve the N/A, book an engineer. When you contact them, have ready:

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How many optimisers are N/A and their positions in the layout (screenshot if possible)

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Whether the N/A panels are in a consecutive run or scattered

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Any fault codes from SolarEdge Go (P404, P500-range, P401)

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How long the issue has been present and whether it appeared suddenly or gradually

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Whether the affected panels are on a specific roof face or string

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The inverter model and approximate install date (if known)

The more detail you can provide, the better the engineer can plan the visit — reducing time on site and often allowing them to bring the correct replacement part in advance.

Root causes

Causes

What causes SolarEdge optimisers to show N/A?

N/A appears for three distinct reasons. Understanding which applies to your system points the engineer to the right place on the roof.

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Failed optimiser unit — most likely cause of a single N/A

SolarEdge power optimisers are electronic units mounted to each panel on the roof. Like any electronic component, they can fail — typically after 8–15 years, though early failures do occur. A completely failed optimiser stops communicating, and the monitoring portal marks it as N/A. The inverter loses visibility of that panel.

SolarEdge optimisers carry a 25-year manufacturer warranty. If the unit is confirmed as failed by an engineer within that period, it should be replaced under warranty. The engineer will confirm the serial number, document the fault with SolarEdge Go diagnostic data, and manage the warranty replacement process.

When to suspect a failed unit:

A single N/A panel that does not recover after reset, particularly if the panel is otherwise unshaded and the rest of the string is performing normally. Older systems (pre-2015 installs) have a higher incidence of individual optimiser failures — the early S250 and S270 series units are known to have had higher early failure rates.

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MC4 connector fault — most likely cause of a consecutive run of N/A panels

SolarEdge optimisers pass their data signal along the DC power line from panel to panel back to the inverter. If an MC4 connector develops a fault — corrosion, physical damage, or poor original installation — it can break the communication chain. All optimisers from that point onwards lose communication and appear N/A, even though they are physically undamaged.

This is the most important diagnostic insight for consecutive N/A panels: the root cause is usually at or just before the first panel in the N/A run, not distributed across all the affected panels. A single faulty connector can produce 4, 6, or 8 N/A panels simultaneously.

Common connector fault scenarios:

Connectors at panel edges and string junction points are more exposed to UV and weather cycling. Connectors that were not fully locked at installation develop micro-resistance over years. Systems installed before 2018 on south-facing roofs in particular may have connectors approaching end-of-life.

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DC cable damage — pest damage, abrasion, or UV degradation

DC string cables run from the roof array down to the inverter, often passing through the roof structure. Cable damage can break both the power circuit and the communication chain, causing N/A. Three failure modes are most common in UK installations:

Rodent damage in the roof space: squirrels and rats routinely strip or sever DC cable insulation in lofts and under-eave areas. This can cause both N/A faults and, in severe cases, arc fault detection events. It is the fastest-growing cause of solar PV faults in UK properties.

Cable chafing at penetrations: where cables pass through roof tiles, fascias, or conduit ends, the insulation can abrade over years of thermal expansion and contraction, eventually creating a short or break.

UV degradation on exposed cable runs: DC cables rated for outdoor use have a finite UV resistance lifetime — typically 20–25 years. Older installations on exposed south-facing roofs may develop insulation micro-cracking that eventually breaks down under thermal stress.

On-site investigation

What to expect

What the engineer will do on site

SolarEdge's per-panel monitoring system means the engineer can usually narrow the fault to a specific panel, connector, or short cable section before going on the roof. Most N/A investigations are completed in a single visit.

SolarEdge Go review — fault code and optimiser-level data

The engineer will connect to the inverter via SolarEdge Go Bluetooth to pull the full fault log, optimiser communication status, and any P404 or P500-range codes. The layout view in SolarEdge Go, combined with the monitoring portal history, will show exactly which optimiser the communication chain broke at and when. This is done before any roof access.

DC string continuity check and voltage measurement

The engineer will measure DC voltage at the inverter input and along the string. A lower-than-expected DC voltage or an open-circuit reading confirms a break in the string — caused by a failed optimiser, a connector, or a cable fault. The position of the voltage drop narrows the search zone on the roof.

Physical inspection of connectors and cable runs at the identified location

With the fault location narrowed from Step 2, the engineer accesses the roof and physically inspects the connectors and cable in that section. All MC4 connectors in the affected area are tested for correct engagement, inspected for corrosion or cracking, and resistance-tested. If pest damage or cable abrasion is found, the engineer will check the full accessible cable run for further damage.

Optimiser replacement or connector repair — and post-repair confirmation

If a failed optimiser is identified, it is replaced — using the warranty process if within the 25-year warranty period. If a connector is faulty, it is replaced with a correctly-rated MC4 connector. After repair, the engineer will restart the system and confirm the affected optimisers re-appear in the monitoring portal and show expected output. A final DC string measurement is taken to confirm the repair.

Understanding SolarEdge optimisers

How SolarEdge optimiser communication works — and why N/A happens

SolarEdge uses a distributed architecture where a power optimiser is attached to every panel. Each optimiser independently manages that panel's output — performing maximum power point tracking (MPPT) per panel rather than per string. This means shading on one panel does not drag down the rest of the string, which is the core advantage of the SolarEdge approach over traditional string inverters.

Communication between the optimisers and the inverter happens over the DC power line using power line communication (PLC). The optimisers form a daisy-chain: each unit relays data from the previous one towards the inverter. This is why a break at a single point in the chain — whether a failed connector, a damaged cable, or a failed optimiser — causes all subsequent units to appear as N/A. They are not necessarily failed; they have simply lost their communication route back to the inverter.

The monitoring portal displays this as N/A rather than a specific fault code because the inverter cannot receive any data from those optimisers — it doesn't know why they are silent, only that they are. SolarEdge Go provides more granular fault codes when you connect via Bluetooth directly to the inverter, which is why the engineer's first step is always a SolarEdge Go diagnostic session before any physical investigation.

SolarEdge's SafeDC feature, which reduces panel voltage to approximately 1V per panel when the system is shut down, applies to N/A scenarios as well. If the inverter shuts down or loses DC communication, the optimisers automatically reduce to SafeDC voltage. This means the roof is passively safe when the system is isolated — but DC cabling should still not be handled by anyone who is not a qualified electrician.

SolarEdge optimiser N/A — frequently asked questions

What does N/A mean on a SolarEdge optimiser?

N/A means the inverter has lost communication with that optimiser. SolarEdge optimisers communicate over the DC power line (PLC) back to the inverter — when that signal stops, the monitoring portal marks the optimiser as N/A and stops reporting output data for that panel. The cause could be a failed optimiser, a faulty MC4 connector breaking the communication chain, a damaged cable, or a temporary glitch that clears on reset.

Can a N/A optimiser stop the whole SolarEdge system from working?

Yes. If a failed optimiser breaks the PLC communication chain, every optimiser after it in the string also goes N/A — even though those downstream units are physically functioning. This is why a block of 4, 6, or 8 consecutive N/A panels often has a single root cause at the start of the run. The engineer focuses investigation on the connector and cable at or just before the first affected panel, not on every N/A panel individually.

Why do multiple optimisers in a row show N/A on SolarEdge?

Yes — a failed or N/A optimiser reduces the system's output, which in turn reduces the electricity generated and potentially exported. On the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), payments are based on actual metered export, so lower generation means lower export payments. On the older Feed-in Tariff (FiT), generation payments are typically based on deemed (estimated) generation, but lower actual output still affects the export element. Either way, an N/A optimiser is costing you money for every day it goes unrepaired.

Can I fix a SolarEdge N/A optimiser myself?

Most N/A optimiser repairs are completed in a single half-day visit. The SolarEdge Go diagnostic session typically takes 20–30 minutes and narrows the fault to a specific panel or connector location. Physical access, inspection, and repair of a connector or optimiser replacement usually takes 1–2 hours on site. If the cause is widespread cable damage (such as significant rodent damage), the visit may extend to a full day. The engineer will provide an accurate time estimate once the SolarEdge Go diagnostic is complete.

What warranty covers a failed SolarEdge optimiser?

SolarEdge power optimisers carry a 25-year manufacturer warranty. If the optimiser is confirmed as failed by an engineer within that period, the replacement unit should be covered. The warranty claim requires documentation: the serial number of the failed unit, SolarEdge Go fault data, and the engineer's diagnosis report. Labour costs for the site visit and installation of the replacement are typically not covered by the manufacturer warranty. An independent engineer can manage the warranty claim process on your behalf.

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