Display blank, flickering or frozen

The display is how you control most e-bikes, so when it's dark or glitchy the bike often won't assist. Start with power and plugs.

Check first

1. Charge the battery and restart. Velotric suggests switching off, waiting a few seconds and switching on again, then reseating the battery until it's fully secure (Velotric troubleshooting).
2. With the bike off, find the display's plug. Pull it straight apart, don't twist, look for damage, dirt or moisture, and push it back with the arrows lined up (Lectric, Rad no-power guide).
3. Check the display cable for pinching or fraying, especially where it bends at the bars (Velotric troubleshooting).
4. If it flickers or cuts out over bumps, the wiring or a connector is the likely cause. Check the plugs and cables, but don't open the controller (Velotric troubleshooting).
5. If the display shows a code, look it up. See error codes.

Water

If the display started acting up after rain or washing, switch off, dry the bike and let it dry fully indoors before trying again (Hiboy common problems). Bosch says never to clean with a pressure washer or steam jet, and to take the battery and display off before cleaning (Bosch owner guide). See my e-bike got wet.

Get it checked if

• The screen stays blank after reseating and charging. Velotric says to contact support then (Velotric troubleshooting).
• It stays blank after charging and drying, which Hiboy links to an internal wiring or controller problem (Hiboy maintenance tips).
• You see moisture or fog inside the screen, or it works only with the cable held in one spot.

If the whole bike is dead, see won't turn on.

Sources

• Electric bike troubleshooting guide, Velotric
• My bike won't turn on, Lectric eBikes
• Troubleshoot a bike that won't turn on (external battery), Rad Power Bikes
• 14 common electric scooter problems and fixes, Hiboy
• eBike owner's guide (US), Bosch eBike Systems
• Electric scooter maintenance tips, Hiboy

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.