Summary

Pod Point is the UK's largest home and public EV charging network, and its domestic units (Solo, Solo3, Solo3S, and the older Pod Point Home) are among the most commonly fitted smart chargers on UK driveways — often supplied through car dealerships, Octopus Energy, and other partner schemes as part of a bundled install. Because the units are smart-connected (wifi on most models, with some commercial units using 4G), a large share of "fault" calls are actually connectivity or app-sync issues rather than electrical faults, which matters when deciding whether to send an electrician or tell the customer to power-cycle the unit.

The electrical fundamentals are identical to any Mode 3 AC charger installed to BS 7671 Section 722: a dedicated circuit with correct DC fault detection (built-in RDC-DD or a Type B RCD upstream), open-PEN protection on PME supplies, and a Control Pilot handshake with the vehicle. What differs between Pod Point and other brands is how the fault surfaces to the customer — through the app's status text, the physical LED ring colour, and (for networked models) remote diagnostics Pod Point support can run without a site visit.

Hardware has changed across generations: the original Solo, the Solo3, and the Solo3S each have different LED behaviour and slightly different fault-reporting in the app, so always confirm the exact model before relying on a colour code — Pod Point has revised LED meanings between hardware revisions, and getting this wrong on-site wastes a visit. For the brand-agnostic fault logic this article builds on, see ev charger faults.

Key Facts

Quick Reference Table

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App / LED symptom Likely cause First action
App shows "Fault" Internal unit fault logged Check app fault detail; power-cycle at the isolator once; call Pod Point support if it recurs
App shows "Unavailable" persistently Connectivity drop or stuck relay Check wifi signal at the unit; power-cycle; escalate if still unavailable after reconnect
LED off, no app contact No power to unit Check MCB/RCBO at consumer unit, isolator switch, incoming supply
Trips the circuit on plug-in RCD type / open-PEN / earth fault Confirm RCD type (A vs B) and open-PEN device status per BS 7671 722
Car plugged in, app shows "Available" not "Charging" Control Pilot or vehicle-side issue Check vehicle's own charge settings/schedule; try a different cable/socket if untethered
Charging starts then stops Overtemperature, load management (CT clamp), or scheduled cap Check connection temperature, CT clamp fitting, app schedule/cap settings
App shows charging, car disagrees Wifi/app sync lag, not electrical Refresh app; check actual charge rate on the vehicle's own display
Unit stuck "Updating" Firmware update in progress Leave 15–20 minutes; do not isolate power during update

Detailed Guidance

Decision tree

POD POINT WON'T CHARGE
=======================
1. Check the app status first.
   "Fault"       -> go to 2 (device fault)
   "Unavailable" -> go to 3 (connectivity / relay)
   "Available"   -> go to 4 (vehicle-side / schedule)
   No app contact at all -> go to 5 (supply side)

2. DEVICE FAULT
   - Read the fault detail text in the app (varies by model)
   - Power-cycle once at the isolator (30 sec off)
   - Fault clears -> monitor; recurs -> relay/contactor wear, book
     a Pod Point-authorised repair/replacement
   - Fault persists immediately on restart -> internal component
     fault, do not keep retrying the breaker

3. UNAVAILABLE / CONNECTIVITY
   - Check wifi signal strength at the unit location (app shows this
     on some models)
   - Power-cycle the unit and the home router if signal is weak
   - Unit still charges locally even if "Unavailable" in-app — ask
     the customer whether the car is actually charging at the car
   - Still unavailable after reconnect -> may indicate a stuck relay;
     escalate to Pod Point support for remote diagnostics

4. VEHICLE-SIDE / SCHEDULE
   - Check for an active smart-charging schedule in the Pod Point
     app (off-peak default under the 2021 Smart Charge Points Regs)
   - Check the vehicle's OWN charge timer/schedule — many EVs have
     an independent schedule that can override or conflict
   - Try unplugging/replugging the cable to re-trigger the Control
     Pilot handshake
   - Untethered unit: try a different cable

5. NO POWER / SUPPLY SIDE
   - Check dedicated MCB/RCBO at the consumer unit (reset once)
   - Check the external rotary isolator if fitted
   - Confirm 230 V present at the unit's incoming terminals
   - Still dead -> internal PSU fault, needs a qualified electrician
     and likely a Pod Point-authorised replacement

Earth and RCD faults

Trips at the protective device are an electrical fault, not an app/connectivity issue, and should be treated exactly as for any EVSE under BS 7671 Section 722: confirm whether the circuit uses a Type A RCD with a built-in RDC-DD (6 mA DC detection) or a Type B RCD, and check the open-PEN protection device isn't latched from a prior PME supply event. A unit that trips repeatedly on plug-in, regardless of brand or app status, points to the protective device chain rather than anything Pod Point-specific — see ev charger faults for the full earth-fault branch of the decision tree.

Connectivity vs genuine fault

The single most common misdiagnosis on Pod Point units is treating a connectivity drop as an electrical fault. Because the unit charges locally even when it can't reach the Pod Point servers, "the app says it's broken" and "the car isn't charging" are two different problems. Always ask the customer to check the vehicle's own dashboard/app for actual charge status before assuming the Pod Point unit itself has failed — this avoids unnecessary call-outs.

When to call Pod Point support vs an electrician

Pod Point support can remotely diagnose and often remotely restart connected units, pull fault logs, and authorise warranty repairs or replacement parts — this is the right first call for app/connectivity faults and suspected internal component faults within the warranty period. An electrician is needed for anything upstream of the unit itself: the consumer unit, protective devices, supply cable, isolator, and earthing arrangement. A competent installer should always check the supply side first, because a genuine upstream fault (e.g. a failing RCBO) will present identically to an internal unit fault in the app.

Firmware updates and "stuck" units

Pod Point pushes firmware updates to connected units periodically. During an update the unit may show no lights, a static LED pattern, or an "Updating" status and will not respond to plug-in attempts. This is expected and typically resolves within 15–20 minutes. Isolating power during a firmware update risks corrupting the update and should be avoided — wait it out before escalating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Pod Point show "Unavailable" but the car still charges?

The unit has lost its connection to the Pod Point servers (usually a home wifi issue) but is still operating locally — Mode 3 charging doesn't require an internet connection to function, only to report status to the app. Check the actual charge rate at the vehicle, not just the app.

What does the LED colour on my Pod Point mean?

It depends on the exact model and hardware revision — Pod Point has changed LED colour meanings across the Solo, Solo3, and Solo3S generations. **** rather than assuming a colour means the same thing across all Pod Point hardware.

How do I reset a Pod Point charger?

For a soft reset, use the restart function in the app if available; otherwise isolate the unit at the dedicated circuit breaker or external isolator for around 30 seconds. Avoid repeated rapid power-cycling, as this can mask or worsen an underlying relay fault.

Is a Pod Point fault always an electrician's job?

No. App/connectivity issues and most "Fault" statuses are resolved via Pod Point support's remote diagnostics or a straightforward unit swap under warranty. An electrician is only needed when the fault traces back to the consumer unit, supply, or protective devices — always check the supply side before assuming it's the Pod Point unit itself.

Regulations & Standards