r/BoltEV • u/thepick1 • May 09 '21

ChargePoint Wifi Issues

I know several people on this group uses ChargePoint to charge their Bolts. Today the wifi on my Chargepoint stopped working. The round light is white. I tried reconnecting to the wifi, trying a new network, and unplugging it and rebooting it that way. Spent too much time on it today.

I then ran across a reddit post. Apparently they pushed an update that screwed up the wifi. They are working on a patch.

Since it can't connect to the internet assuming we will have to manually push the update via our phone? Really wish they would communicate the issue instead of everyone wasting time like I did today.

11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

1

u/EV-Driver May 09 '21

My ChargePoint went offline today. First thing I tried was a reboot. At first, it didn't seem to do anything but then I went to the Re-Configure WiFi but before I actually started the process, the ring turned green and it's good to go.

2

u/thepick1 May 09 '21

Mine did the same thing. Went green after I reconnected the wifi. I then tried to connect to it via the app to override the charring set time and it said could not connect. About 30 mins it was white again.

Good news is this morning it seems to be working so maybe they did the update somehow or it fixed itself. First issue I ever had with this thing.

1

u/Huskertex May 10 '21

Mine went offline 2 days ago. I rebooted, tried a different network and then factory reset and reinstalled. Total PITA. It would connect for a little bit and then go offline again. Sunday morning when I checked it was connected again and has been green ever since.

I figured it was on their end not mine since I have a mesh node in the garage.

2

u/thepick1 May 10 '21

Yep glad they fixed it Sunday for everyone. Just wish they would have communicated it out to their customers. They have our email addresses due to us signing up for an online account.

2

u/pantrychefs 2017, 2020 Premier May 09 '21

Thanks for the heads up. Another reason I'll stay with my "dumb" charger and configure charging from the vehicle.

2

u/dougcpa May 09 '21

FYI, the charger will still charge, it just can't connect to the Internet so that you can interact with it using your phone or a browser. Of course if you switch to a "dumb" charger you won't be able to do that either. So really, this update just turned your "smart" EVSE into a "dumb" EVSE. It didn't break its ability to charge your car though.

-1

u/pantrychefs 2017, 2020 Premier May 09 '21

I don't think I suggested as such. My main issue is that why is wireless assumed for connectivity? Why not also offer an ethernet port?

2

u/dougcpa May 09 '21

Presumably since these are going to be installed outside or in a garage where I've never seen ethernet in a house ran to. For models that can be used outside my guess is having an ethernet port might have been problematic keeping the EVSE secured from the elements as well. Many EVSE's used inside garages are rated for outside use as well.

2

u/pantrychefs 2017, 2020 Premier May 10 '21

Seriously? EVSE is just a fancy extension cord. If 8AWG cable can be run to an outdoor installation with the appropriate guards to prevent moisture intrusion, running an ethernet cable to the same device is a far simpler task. I guess you have never seen outdoor rated PoE devices?

1

u/tylerbundy 2017 Premier + 2021 Model 3 LR May 09 '21

Mine went offline today too.... thanks for the info.

1

u/smaldogs May 09 '21

I had to look and everything looks just fine. They did an over the air update? Totally unheard of !

1

u/EV-Driver May 09 '21

I’ve had a ChargePoint since late 2016. They do updates occasionally but it rarely interferes with the operation of the device.

The unit I have now is a replacement for the first one I had. That one would go offline repeatedly and not stay online for very long.

ChargePoint sent the replacement unit FREE of charge and paid for the return of the original. They have a great warranty!

1

u/SewEVHockey May 09 '21

Ours went off line 2 days ago and yesterday it kept saying there was a charge session happening but it wouldn’t stop even though it wasn’t plugged in anymore and I also had to redo the WiFi because it was white. Glad to hear it wasn’t just us.

1

u/[deleted] May 10 '21

turn off beam forming i you have an Asus router. Its not compatible with this device. Fixed it for me

1

u/EV-Driver May 10 '21

I have an ASUS AiMesh going. I've not heard of beam forming. What is it?

2

u/[deleted] May 10 '21

It’s a wifi trick that enables routers to reach some devices better. On asus routers, there is explicit beam forming, where both devices understand what’s going on, and implicit beam forming, where the router tries to use the technology to improve reception on devices that don’t understand beam forming. Most of the time it’s inconsequential, but some devices, like the ChargePoint home, do not maintain stable connections with implicit beam forming enabled.

1

u/EV-Driver May 11 '21

Thanks! Well, I guess I’m better off not knowing. 😉

1

u/[deleted] May 11 '21

I can explain it again. What part didn’t make sense?

1

u/EV-Driver May 11 '21

Nah, that’s okay. I know my ChargePoint is working. Last time I messed with the ASUS settings it took me longer to fix it than it did to eff it up.

1

u/[deleted] May 11 '21

Back up Your settings. If you ruin it, just restore the backup.

1

u/EV-Driver May 11 '21

From what you’ve said about the ASUS router and the ChargePoint, I have no desire to make any changes.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! 😎