My Solar System Isn't Working —
Full Troubleshooting Guide
- Written from real diagnostic experience — not manufacturer PDFs
- Covers all major UK inverter and battery brands
- Free remote diagnostic if you need expert help — no fix, no fee
Most solar faults are diagnosed remotely in a single session. Tell us what you're seeing and we'll work it out.
Book your free remote diagnosticSee the Solar Health PlanSafety: do not open inverter or battery enclosures. If you smell burning or see arcing, isolate at the consumer unit and call 999.
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.
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.
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
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)
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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)
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
5 things to check before anything else
These five checks take under five minutes and rule out the most common causes. Do these before digging deeper.
Look for the solar circuit — often labelled 'PV', 'Solar', or 'Inverter'. If a breaker is tripped (handle down or in the middle position), reset it. If it trips again immediately, stop and book a diagnostic — do not force it.
There are typically two isolators: an AC isolator near the inverter and a DC isolator between the panels and inverter. Both must be ON. Visual check only — do not open any covers or touch internal components.
Write down the exact text, number, or letter code shown. Different brands use completely different coding systems — a photo of the display is ideal. This single piece of information can identify the fault precisely.
These are two different problems. If your inverter display shows a current power output figure (e.g. "2.4 kW") but your app shows offline, you have a monitoring/comms fault, not a generation fault. The system is working — only the data link is broken.
A firmware update, a power cut, a router replacement, a stormy night, or a recently changed electricity tariff are all common triggers. The timing of a fault is often the fastest route to its cause.
Inverter showing a fault or not turning on?
Inverter faults are the most common reason a solar system appears to have stopped working. Most show a code — the code is the starting point for diagnosis, not a cause for alarm.
Red status light typically indicates a protection fault, grid issue, or hardware alarm. Each brand uses different flash patterns — the meaning varies significantly.
Read moreNo display, no lights, no response. Could be a tripped breaker, a failed internal fuse, or a hardware fault. Requires systematic elimination before assuming hardware failure.
Read moreInverter looks fine but output reads zero. Often a configuration issue — export limits, grid impedance, or CT clamp errors — rather than a hardware failure.
Read moreOutput lower than the MCS design estimate. Could be shading, a failed string, optimiser issue, or a misconfigured export limit capping generation.
Read moreInverters display alphanumeric codes that identify specific fault conditions. Look up your brand's fault code index for the exact meaning and recommended action.
Browse fault codesUnderstanding how your inverter converts DC from panels to AC grid power — and what can interrupt that process — makes every fault diagnosis faster.
Read guideBrand-specific inverter fault pages
Our remote diagnostic reviews your monitoring data and fault history to identify the exact issue. Free if we can't fix it.
Battery not charging, not discharging, or showing an alarm?
Battery faults are the fastest-growing category of solar support calls in the UK. Many trace back to configuration errors made at installation — not hardware failure. The most common single cause is a CT clamp installed backwards.
Battery stays empty despite solar being available or cheap-rate tariff being active. Charge window settings, CT clamp orientation, BMS fault, or firmware mismatch are the typical culprits.
Read moreBattery is full but not supplying the house. Discharge schedule, grid settings, minimum SoC threshold, or a CT clamp reading the wrong circuit are typical causes.
Read moreInverter has lost communication with the battery — shows as a comms error code. Common after firmware updates, power interruptions, or on new systems with mismatched firmware versions.
Read moreYou have a battery but the house went dark during a grid outage. EPS must be explicitly enabled — it's off by default on most inverters. Also requires a dedicated EPS output circuit.
Read moreA backwards CT clamp causes the inverter to misread the grid — resulting in battery charging when it should discharge, importing when exporting, or readings with the wrong sign. One of the most frequently missed installation errors.
Read moreUnderstanding BMS logic, SoC thresholds, charge rate limits, and dispatch scheduling makes it much easier to spot when something is wrong versus how the system is designed to behave.
Read guideBrand-specific battery fault pages
We review charge/discharge logs, CT clamp readings, and schedule settings to find the exact cause. Most battery faults are fixed remotely.
Monitoring app offline or not updating?
A monitoring failure is not a generation failure. The two are completely separate systems. Every year, thousands of homeowners think their solar has stopped working — when it's only the data link that's broken. Check the inverter display directly before assuming the system has failed.
App shows no data or 'last updated X days ago'. Could be a local WiFi issue, a data logger hardware fault, a cloud-side outage, or a firmware update that broke the cloud connection.
Read moreMost inverter loggers only support 2.4GHz networks. Changing your router, updating the WiFi password, or switching to a band-steering mesh system are the most common triggers.
Read moreUnderstanding the data logger → cloud → app chain makes it easy to pinpoint exactly where a monitoring failure has occurred and whether the system is still generating behind a broken data link.
Read guideBrand-specific monitoring & connectivity pages
Grid overvoltage, export limit problems, or system tripping on sunny days?
Grid-related faults are often the most frustrating because they're caused by infrastructure outside your property — not your solar system. But they still need to be diagnosed, documented, and escalated correctly to the DNO.
Inverter cuts output on sunny days because grid voltage exceeds 253V AC. This is required by law — the inverter is protecting the grid. Requires a DNO evidence pack to get fixed at the infrastructure level.
Read moreA misconfigured export limit caps generation at the wrong level, sometimes at zero. Can be set wrong at installation, reset by a firmware update, or misapplied when switching between G98 and G99 connections.
Read moreSEG payments not arriving, FiT payments stopped, or export meter not registering generation. These are separate problems with separate fixes depending on which scheme applies to your installation.
Read moreG98, G99, DNO agreements, and what a correctly configured export limit looks like.
Read guideGrid connection standards, thresholds, notification requirements and compliance.
Read guideWe build timestamped voltage logs and formal DNO complaint packs that get the issue escalated properly. Without this, DNO responses typically go nowhere.
Know your brand? Go direct to the right page.
Every major UK solar brand has a dedicated hub page covering its specific fault patterns, fault codes, configuration tasks, and diagnostic guides. Brand-specific advice is always more accurate than generic troubleshooting.
No production · optimiser comms · arc fault · red light
Open brand hub
Battery faults · portal offline · CAN fault · firmware
Open brand hub
Battery not charging · CT miswire · grid faults
Open brand hub
Error 04 · Error 117 · ShineWifi offline · isolation
Open brand hub
Grid overvoltage · no output · monitoring
Open brand hub
Dongle offline · Luna battery · no permission error
Open brand hubOther supported brands
Common questions about solar faults
Still not working? Let's diagnose it properly.
Tell us what you're seeing — fault codes, display behaviour, app status, when it started. We'll review your details and come back with a clear diagnosis path, usually same day.
- Free remote diagnostic · 30 minutes · no fix, no fee
- Written engineer summary included
- Independent — not affiliated with any installer or brand
Got a solar fault or need a quick answer? Drop us a message — we usually reply within a few minutes. Mon–Fri, 9am–7pm.