Where do these Tesla Powerwall fault codes come from?

We compile them from publicly available Tesla Powerwall inverter documentation and field references, then rewrite each entry in plain English. Solar Analytica is independent and not affiliated with Tesla Powerwall.

Can I clear these faults myself?

Some clear automatically once conditions return to normal. Anything involving DC isolators, AC switches, wiring or opening the unit is licensed-electrician work — if in doubt, contact your installer rather than working on a live system.

My exact code isn't listed — why not?

Firmware and model variants differ, and manufacturers occasionally revise their codes. We document the most common ones; if yours isn't here, check your inverter's manual or ask your installer.

How current is this reference?

Last reviewed June 2026. We revise it when the underlying manufacturer documentation changes.

Battery Alert Library

Tesla Powerwall Alert Codes

What Tesla Powerwall's app alerts mean — from Breaker Open to Storm Watch — explained in plain English.

Independent · manufacturer-neutralReviewed June 2026Source: Manufacturer documentationOur methodology

Manufacturer: Tesla (Powerwall 2 / Powerwall 3 home battery)
Codes documented: 11
Source: Manufacturer documentation
Scope: Reference only

Tesla's Powerwall doesn't use short numeric fault codes the way many inverters do. Instead, your Tesla app shows plain-language alerts and status notifications — things like "Breaker Open", "Powerwall Inactive", or a low-energy warning during an outage. The library below covers the most common homeowner-facing alerts documented by Tesla for Powerwall 2 and Powerwall 3, with plain-English explanations and what to check. It is reference material to help you understand what your app is telling you, not a repair manual. Safety note: A Powerwall is a high-voltage battery system. You can safely do the surface-level steps below — toggling the Powerwall enable switch, restarting from the app, or reducing your household load. But anything involving switchboard breakers that won't reset, AC/DC isolators, the rapid-shutdown circuit, wiring, or opening any enclosure is licensed-electrician work. Stop immediately and call your installer or Tesla if you see or smell burning, scorching, melted plastic, or any heat damage — do not touch the equipment.

Key takeaways

11 Tesla (Powerwall 2 / Powerwall 3 home battery) fault and alarm codes, documented in plain English.
Compiled from manufacturer documentation — independent and not affiliated with Tesla (Powerwall 2 / Powerwall 3 home battery).
Codes involving DC/AC isolators, wiring or opening the unit are licensed-electrician work — when in doubt, call your installer.

11 of 11 codes

Breaker Open
Powerwall breaker is open / off
The AC circuit breaker that connects your Powerwall to your home is in the open (off) position, so the Powerwall is disconnected and can't charge or store energy. Left like this, the battery can slowly drain its reserve and may eventually need a service visit.
What to do
Find the breaker labelled 'Battery' or 'Powerwall' (often at the bottom of your main switchboard or in the Backup Gateway) and switch it back to on/closed, then follow the app prompt to restart the Powerwall. If the breaker won't stay on, trips repeatedly, or you notice any burning smell, discolouration, or heat damage, do NOT keep resetting it — this is licensed-electrician work; contact your installer or Tesla.
Powerwall Overloaded
Powerwall is overloaded — reduce load
During a grid outage your home is drawing more power than the Powerwall can supply at once (for example several high-draw appliances running together), so Powerwall has stopped supplying power to protect itself.
What to do
Turn off high-power loads such as air conditioners, ovens, kettles, pool pumps, EV charging or instantaneous hot water, then wait. Powerwall automatically retries within about two minutes and should resume powering the home once the load drops; you can also restart it with a quick toggle of its on/off switch. If it keeps overloading with very little running, have your installer review your backup load setup.
Powerwall Inactive
Powerwall has stopped powering the home (inactive)
Powerwall has entered an inactive state — commonly after running very low on energy during an outage or after repeated overloads — and is no longer supplying your home. Tesla notes that when low, if the remaining energy decreases by more than about 2.5% it becomes inactive and waits for the next hour to try charging again.
What to do
If your phone is paired to the Powerwall and online, open the Tesla app, tap 'Powerwall Inactive', review the prompt and tap 'Restart Powerwall'. Only restart when there's enough daylight/solar (or grid) available to power the home and recharge the battery. If the app restart fails, you can power-cycle the system per Tesla's instructions; if it still won't come back, contact your installer or Tesla.
Powerwall Low on Energy
Powerwall is low on energy
Battery charge is getting low (typically during a grid outage). Backup time is limited and will run out sooner if your usage stays high.
What to do
Reduce your household power use — switch off non-essential and high-draw appliances — to stretch the remaining backup time until the grid returns or solar recharges the battery. No technical work required.
Powerwall Energy Very Low
Powerwall energy very low — limited backup remaining
The battery is nearly empty during an outage and may fully discharge if usage isn't cut back. Tesla's wording is along the lines of 'Powerwall energy is very low, and you will have limited backup time remaining.' Once it gets too low it stops providing power to protect the cells.
What to do
Immediately reduce your home's power use to the essentials to extend backup duration. If the battery does run out, it will resume during daylight hours once solar provides enough charge. No technical work required.
Powerwall Stopped (Discharged)
Powerwall too low and stopped powering the home
The battery dropped to its minimum and has stopped supplying power to protect the cells. Tesla documents that if an outage occurs while stored energy is below about 5% you immediately lose backup and Powerwall saves the remaining energy to recharge from solar the next morning; separately, once a Powerwall drops below roughly 10% during an outage it enters standby and stops providing power. Either way this is normal protective behaviour, not a fault.
What to do
Wait for recharge — when paired with solar, Powerwall periodically tries to recharge (Tesla cites automatic attempts roughly hourly between about 8am and 4pm) and resumes powering the home during daylight once it has charged enough, or when grid power returns. You can also reduce load so incoming solar goes toward recharging faster. No technical work required.
Rapid Shutdown (RSD) Initiated
Rapid shutdown triggered — Powerwall won't power home
The rapid-shutdown safety circuit has been triggered, so Powerwall will not power your home. Tesla's alert typically reads 'Rapid Shutdown Initiated. Check AC breaker and low-voltage rapid shutdown circuit.' This is a safety function tied to the AC breaker and the low-voltage RSD wiring, not a simple consumer button you reset.
What to do
Check that the relevant AC breaker is on. If that doesn't clear it, leave the system as-is and contact your installer or Tesla — diagnosing the rapid-shutdown circuit (jumpers, low-voltage wiring, any system shutdown switch) is licensed-electrician work. Do not attempt to bypass the rapid-shutdown circuit.
Internal Fault — Replacement Required
Powerwall disabled by an internal fault
Powerwall has been disabled because of an internal hardware fault, and you may see a flashing red logo LED on the unit with an app alert such as 'Powerwall Disabled' or 'Internal Fault Detected'. Powerwall and its components are not user-serviceable — a persistent internal fault means the unit needs professional support or replacement.
What to do
You can attempt a single basic reset per Tesla's instructions (e.g. power-cycling at the breaker for at least 10 seconds). If the logo LED keeps blinking red or the fault persists, turn off the Powerwall enable switch and contact your installer or Tesla. Do not attempt to open or repair the unit.
Arc Fault Lockout
Arc fault detected — system locked out (PV)
Powerwall 3 (which has a built-in solar inverter) detected arc faults on the DC solar wiring. Tesla states that five arc-fault alerts within 24 hours triggers an arc-fault lockout. Arc faults are usually caused by damaged insulation, loose or poorly seated DC connectors, or frayed wiring — a genuine fire-safety concern.
What to do
This is not a homeowner fix. Leave the system locked out and contact your installer or Tesla — a qualified person must inspect the DC string connections and wiring (tug-tests, insulation checks, junction boxes, string voltages) before the system is cleared to run again. Do not bypass the lockout.
Going Off-Grid / Grid Outage
Grid is down — running on backup
Status notification (not a fault): the grid has gone down (or you initiated Go Off-Grid) and your home is now running on Powerwall backup. Tesla sends this so you can manage your energy use during the outage. Note that if your internet is also down during an outage, this notification may not arrive.
What to do
No action needed — this is informational. Manage usage to make your backup last (prioritise essentials), and your system will reconnect automatically when the grid returns.
Storm Watch Activated
Storm Watch is active — charging to full
Status notification (not a fault): Tesla's Storm Watch detected a severe-weather forecast in your area (via national weather services) that could cause an outage, so Powerwall is charging to maximum capacity to give you the most backup protection. It stays in Storm Watch until the weather event passes.
What to do
No action needed — this is automatic and informational. Avoid discharging the battery (e.g. heavy loads or EV charging from the battery) if you want it to reach full before any outage. It returns to your normal settings once the weather alert clears. You can opt out in the app if desired.

Sources

Good to know

Frequently asked

Where do these Tesla Powerwall fault codes come from?: We compile them from publicly available Tesla Powerwall inverter documentation and field references, then rewrite each entry in plain English. Solar Analytica is independent and not affiliated with Tesla Powerwall.
Can I clear these faults myself?: Some clear automatically once conditions return to normal. Anything involving DC isolators, AC switches, wiring or opening the unit is licensed-electrician work — if in doubt, contact your installer rather than working on a live system.
My exact code isn't listed — why not?: Firmware and model variants differ, and manufacturers occasionally revise their codes. We document the most common ones; if yours isn't here, check your inverter's manual or ask your installer.
How current is this reference?: Last reviewed June 2026. We revise it when the underlying manufacturer documentation changes.

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