Skip to content
Problem diagnosis · Victron Energy

Victron MultiPlus Not Charging — Charge Parameter, BMS & DVCC Diagnosis

Your Victron MultiPlus or MultiPlus-II has stopped charging the battery. The inverter-charger appears to be running but the battery state of charge is falling or stuck. This is the single most common Victron support question — and it usually has a configuration answer, not a hardware one. This guide covers every common cause.
  • MultiPlus & MultiPlus-II
  • VEConfigure & DVCC diagnosis
  • Third-party battery BMS support
MultiPlus not charging your battery?

We review the VRM alarm log, VEConfigure parameters, DVCC status, and BMS communication to identify why your MultiPlus has stopped charging — and fix it remotely.

Book your free remote diagnosticBack to Victron hub

Independent — not affiliated with Victron Energy.

5.0
13 Trustpilot reviews
Trustpilot Google

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

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

⚡ Safety Warning

Do not open your inverter or interfere with DC cabling. Solar panels produce live DC voltage whenever exposed to light. Always use your DC isolator switch and contact a qualified solar engineer for hands-on fault diagnosis.

ℹ️

Before you start: You need access to VRM (vrm.victronenergy.com) or VictronConnect (Bluetooth app). If you have neither, we can access VRM remotely during a diagnostic session — you just need to share VRM access or provide your installation ID.

Diagnostics

5-step MultiPlus charging fault diagnosis

MultiPlus charging faults are almost always configuration — not hardware. The charger section, AC input limit, DVCC settings, and BMS communication all interact. Work through these steps in order to isolate the cause.

1

Check the MultiPlus charging state in VRM or VictronConnect

Open VRM or connect via VictronConnect over Bluetooth. The MultiPlus device page shows the current charger state:

MultiPlus charger states
Off: Charger section is completely disabled — check VEConfigure charger enable switch
Bulk: Charging at maximum current — if battery voltage isn't rising, current may be limited to zero by BMS
Absorption: Holding voltage at absorption level — normal, battery is nearly full
Float: Trickle charging — if battery SoC is low, the system shouldn't be in float (wrong voltage settings)
Fault: VE.Bus error has locked the charger — check alarm log for the specific error code

Also note the AC input power reading. If it shows 0W AC input, the MultiPlus is not receiving grid or generator power — that's a different problem (AC wiring, breaker, or grid relay fault).

2

Verify the charge voltage and current parameters in VEConfigure

VEConfigure controls the MultiPlus charger settings. The values must match your battery manufacturer's specifications exactly:

Typical 48V LiFePO4 settings
Absorption voltage: 53.2V – 54.0V (varies by manufacturer — Pylontech: 53.2V, BYD: 56.0V)
Float voltage: 52.0V – 53.2V
Max charge current: Must not exceed battery rated charge rate
Temperature compensation: Must be disabled for lithium batteries

The most common mistake: float voltage set too high, so the MultiPlus never enters bulk mode because it thinks the battery is already charged. Or absorption set too low, so the battery never reaches full charge.

Remote VEConfigure access requires a Cerbo GX with internet and VRM two-way communication enabled. Without this, a VE.Bus to USB adapter and physical access are needed.

3

Check the AC input current limit setting

The MultiPlus limits how much current it draws from AC input (grid or generator). If this is set too low, all available power goes to AC loads — leaving nothing for charging:

Grid-connected UK systems: Set to your main breaker rating — typically 32A, 50A, or 63A
Generator-fed off-grid: Must match the generator's rated output — never exceed it
Common problem: AC input limit left at a low default (e.g. 5A–16A) after commissioning, leaving almost no power for battery charging after household loads
PowerAssist interaction: If PowerAssist is enabled, the MultiPlus uses battery power to supplement grid power when load exceeds the AC limit — so a low limit can actually drain the battery faster

The AC input current limit can be set in VEConfigure, VictronConnect, or on the VRM remote console under the MultiPlus device settings.

4

Check DVCC settings and battery BMS communication

If your system has a Cerbo GX with DVCC (Distributed Voltage and Current Control) enabled, the BMS controls the MultiPlus charge behaviour dynamically. This is the most common hidden cause of charging failures:

DVCC values to check (VRM → Settings → DVCC)
CVL (Charge Voltage Limit): The maximum voltage the BMS is allowing — if this is lower than absorption, charging caps early
CCL (Charge Current Limit): The maximum charge current — if this is zero, the BMS has blocked charging entirely
DCL (Discharge Current Limit): If zero, BMS has also blocked discharge — indicates a BMS fault condition

Common BMS lockout triggers: low temperature (LiFePO4 batteries typically refuse charge below 0°C–5°C), cell overvoltage (one cell above safe limit), and communication timeout (BMS lost contact with GX device via CAN bus).

If BMS communication has dropped, check the CAN bus cable between battery and Cerbo GX. See our battery BMS disconnect guide for detailed CAN bus troubleshooting.

5

Check for VE.Bus error lockout or firmware mismatch

VE.Bus errors can lock the MultiPlus into a fault state where it refuses to charge until the error is manually cleared:

Error 11 (relay test): Internal relay test failed on startup — usually clears on retry, persistent failure indicates relay wear
Error 14 (device not found): VE.Bus network cannot locate the unit — check RJ-45 cable and daisy-chain connections
Error 17 (phase master missing): In parallel/three-phase systems, the designated master unit has lost communication

Firmware mismatch: If your system has multiple MultiPlus units (parallel or three-phase), all must run the same firmware version. A mismatch after a partial update is a common cause of VE.Bus communication errors. Update the GX device first, then all MultiPlus units together.

See our VE.Bus error codes guide for the full error code reference.

Why MultiPlus charging faults are almost always configuration

The Victron MultiPlus is an inverter-charger — it combines a mains inverter, a battery charger, and a transfer switch in one unit. Unlike simpler hybrid inverters that handle everything internally, the MultiPlus charger behaviour is controlled by a layered stack of settings: VEConfigure parameters, ESS assistant rules, DVCC limits from the BMS, and AC input current restrictions. When any one layer sends a conflicting signal — the charger stops. The hardware is almost always fine. The challenge is finding which layer is blocking the charge.

This is especially common in third-party battery integrations. Victron publishes compatibility lists and recommended settings for batteries like Pylontech, BYD, and Dyness, but installers frequently use slightly different parameters or forget to enable DVCC. Over time, firmware updates on either the Victron or battery side can change the BMS communication protocol, causing a previously-working system to stop charging. We see this pattern weekly — a system that worked fine for months suddenly stops after a firmware update or a seasonal temperature drop triggers the BMS low-temperature lockout.

FAQ

MultiPlus charging faults — common questions

The most common causes are incorrect charge parameters in VEConfigure (wrong absorption or float voltage for your battery type), an AC input current limit set too low (leaving no headroom for charging after AC loads), a BMS lockout via DVCC where the battery management system has set the charge current limit to zero, or a VE.Bus error that has put the MultiPlus into a fault state.
For a standard 48V LiFePO4 bank, typical settings are absorption 53.2V–54.0V and float 52.0V–53.2V — but you must use the exact values from your battery manufacturer. Pylontech, BYD, and Dyness each have different recommended settings. Temperature compensation must be disabled for lithium. If DVCC is enabled, the BMS overrides these values dynamically.
If your system has a Cerbo GX with DVCC enabled, open VRM and check Settings then DVCC. Look at the CCL (Charge Current Limit) being sent by the BMS. If CCL is zero, the BMS is actively blocking charging — usually due to low temperature protection, cell overvoltage, or a CAN bus communication timeout. Also check the battery device page in VRM for alarm flags.
Sometimes. If paralleled units run different firmware versions, or if the GX device firmware is incompatible with the MultiPlus firmware, updating everything can resolve the fault. Update the GX device first, then all MultiPlus units. Never update during a fault condition. If the cause is incorrect parameters or a BMS lockout, firmware alone won't fix it.
Our free remote diagnostic covers the full VRM alarm history, VEConfigure parameter review, DVCC and BMS communication audit, and VE.Bus error analysis. Most MultiPlus charging faults are configuration issues that we resolve remotely. If physical work is needed, we provide a clear scope and quote before booking.
Book

MultiPlus not charging your battery?

Tell us your MultiPlus model, battery brand, and what VRM or VictronConnect is showing. We'll review the VEConfigure parameters, DVCC status, and alarm history to identify the cause.

  • Free remote diagnostic · no fix, no fee
  • VEConfigure & DVCC specialist
  • Third-party battery BMS support

By submitting you agree to be contacted about your diagnostic request. We don't share your data with 3rd parties.

Call 07944 877 329 Book free diagnostic