Hover-1 scooter troubleshooting: kick start, charging, error codes and the Dynamo recall

This page covers common problems on Hover-1 electric scooters, including the Alpha, Journey and Dynamo. Codes, charge times and tire specs differ by model, so check your own support page and manual.

Before you start

• Find your model on the Hover-1 support center. It links to model support pages, manuals, parts, warranty details and a support ticket form.
• Open your manual from your model's page. For example, the Alpha support page links the Alpha manual, and the Journey support page links the Journey manual.
• Check the Recalls section below before you ride.

Common problems and what to check

Throttle does nothing from a standstill

• Hover-1 scooters need a kick start: push off with one foot while you hold the throttle. Hover-1 says this safety feature stops accidental take offs (Journey support page).
• The Alpha and Journey manuals list ride alerts where the motor stops on purpose: a blocked tire stops the scooter after 10 seconds, and a battery below its protection level or a long steep climb shuts the motor off after 15 seconds (Alpha manual). Release the throttle, let it rest and charge before you try again.

More help: throttle not working and motor cuts out.

Won't turn on

• Charge fully first. The battery icon flashing means the battery is nearly empty (Journey manual).
• Hover-1 says its batteries can go into a protective sleep mode, and the support center explains how to wake one while it is on the charger. If that does not work, open a support ticket from the same page.

See won't turn on.

Won't charge

• Use a clean, dry charging port and a grounded outlet, and never force the plug (Alpha manual).
• The charger light is red while charging and green when full. A full charge takes up to 5 hours, and Hover-1 says to stop charging if it does not finish in that time (Alpha manual). The support pages give 4 to 5 hours for the Alpha and Journey.
• Use only Hover-1 chargers. Hover-1 says its products use non-standard voltage chargers, and a generic charger can void the warranty and create a fire risk (support center).
• Bent or broken charge port prongs need a new port. Hover-1 sells the part, and a pro can fit it.
• For storage, the Alpha manual says to keep it indoors, dry and between 32 and 104°F, and to recharge every 2 months if unused.

See battery won't charge, check your charger and store your battery for winter.

Brakes

• The Alpha and Journey use a hand-operated rear disc brake that is pressure sensitive, so the manuals say to apply it gradually (Journey manual).
• Check that the brakes work before every ride, as both manuals say.
• Neither manual gives a brake adjustment procedure. If the brake feels weak or the display shows E9, have a pro look at it.

More on brakes.

Tires and flats

• The Alpha manual lists 10 inch air-filled tires at 340 kPa (about 49 PSI). Check your own manual or sidewall, since models differ.
• Check that tires are inflated and have enough tread before each ride.

See set tire pressure and fixing a flat.

Loose stem or folding hinge

• Lock the folding hinge and steering column before riding, and never ride with a loose column. The Alpha manual explains tightening the hinge with a hex key, or loosening it slightly if the lock will not close.
• Replace any part with cracks, scratches or color changes in high stress areas, as the manuals say.

Water

Hover-1 says a scooter damaged by water cannot be repaired and is a fire hazard, so do not turn it on, charge it or ride it (Alpha support page). Clean it without liquids, as the manuals say. See e-bike got wet.

Recalls

• Hover-1 Dynamo: CPSC announced a recall on July 25, 2024 because the brakes can fail. It covers Dynamo scooters sold on Walmart.com from November 2021 to July 2022 with "WY" in the seventh and eighth places of the serial number, which is on a label under the scooter (CPSC notice). The Hover-1 recall page gives the affected serial range as starting DMO-BLK-WY-2109-21729. Stop riding an affected scooter and follow the refund steps on either page.

Error codes

From the Alpha manual and Journey manual. Codes can differ by model, so check yours.

• E1: motor hall sensor failure.
• E2: accelerator failure.
• E3: motor blocked. Release the accelerator.
• E4 or MOS: mainboard failure.
• E6: controller to display communication failure.
• E7: battery over-voltage protection.
• E8: controller error.
• E9: brake failure.

Apart from E3, the manuals' fix is a part replacement, which is a job for a pro or Hover-1. More on error codes.

Videos

Official help

Start at the Hover-1 support center for model pages, manuals, parts and the support ticket form. The Alpha page notes a 90 day limited warranty that excludes tires, charge ports and water damage (Alpha support page). For general upkeep, see e-scooter maintenance.

When to get a pro

• Error codes that need a new motor, controller, mainboard or brake.
• Charge port, wiring or battery faults.
• A weak brake, since the manuals give no adjustment steps.

Sources

• Customer support, Hover-1
• Alpha support, Hover-1
• Journey support, Hover-1
• Alpha user manual, Hover-1
• Journey user manual, Hover-1
• Dynamo recall, Hover-1
• DGL Group recalls Hover-1 Dynamo e-scooters, CPSC

Stuck after these checks? Find a shop near you.