E-bike or scooter won't turn on
Nothing happens when you press the power button. Work through the battery, the key and the plugs before assuming the worst.
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Battery and electrical safety. Lithium-ion batteries can catch fire if they're damaged or charged wrong. Never open a battery pack, and stop using any battery that's swollen, hot, wet or smells burnt. Every edit to this page is checked by a second person before it goes live.
Most no-power problems are simple: a flat or unseated battery, a key that's off, or a plug that came apart. Go through these in order and stop at the first one that fixes it.
Check first
- Charge the battery fully. Lectric says to keep going until the charger shows full, which can take a few hours (Lectric).
- Check the charge level. On many packs you press and hold a button next to the LEDs. On Rad's external batteries the key has to be turned on first (Rad no-power guide).
- Check any key or switch. Some models need the key in a set position to power on (Lectric).
- Take the battery out and put it back until it's fully secure. Velotric says to check the contacts are clean and dry, and never to bend or force them (Velotric troubleshooting).
- With the bike off and the battery out, Rad's guide has you press and hold the power or MODE button to drain leftover power, then reinstall the battery and try again (Rad no-power guide).
- Follow the cable from the display to its plug. Pull it straight apart without twisting, look for damage or moisture, and push it back with the arrows lined up (Lectric, Rad no-power guide).
If the battery shows charge but the bike is dead
The fault is somewhere between the battery and the display: a contact, a connector, a fuse, the display or the controller. Rad's guide goes on to connectors inside the frame and to battery fuses (Rad no-power guide). That's the point where we suggest a shop. Also see display blank or flickering.
Stop and get it checked if
Stop using the battery if it's swollen, cracked, hot, leaking or smells odd. Don't charge it, keep it away from anything that burns, and call a pro. These are warning signs listed by UL Standards and Engagement. See battery care and find a shop.
- The battery or mount contacts look dirty, damaged or wet. Rad says to contact support instead of continuing (Rad no-power guide).
- The battery won't charge at all. See battery won't charge.
- The screen stays blank after reseating and charging. Velotric says to contact support at that point (Velotric troubleshooting).
Sources
- My bike won't turn on, Lectric eBikes
- Troubleshoot a bike that won't turn on (external battery), Rad Power Bikes
- Electric bike troubleshooting guide, Velotric
- E-bike and scooter safety tips, UL Standards and Engagement
Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.
If these steps didn't fix it, find a shop near you in our partner network. For battery or wiring trouble, look for shops marked Battery and electrical.
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