How to Reset an Inverter Fault: Decoding Solar Inverter Fault Codes
- Sarah Lozanova
- Aug 12
- 9 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
If your system stops producing power and you see an inverter fault message, it can be frustrating and confusing. Many homeowners immediately start searching for how to reset an inverter fault and get their solar panels working again. Your solar inverter is the brain of the system. When it detects a problem—whether it’s with grid voltage, temperature, or internal components—it may shut down to prevent damage.
Learning how to reset a solar inverter properly can often solve the issue, especially if the fault was caused by a temporary condition. But not all problems are that simple. Some inverter fault codes or solar inverter error codes indicate more serious issues that need professional attention.
If you're dealing with recurring faults or don’t have support from your original installer, GreenLancer can help. We offer residential solar repair services to diagnose and fix inverter issues nationwide.
Table of Contents
What Is a Solar Inverter Fault?
If your solar system suddenly stops producing energy or shows a warning, you may be dealing with a solar inverter fault. This happens when the inverter detects a problem and either shuts down or limits output to protect your home and the system. Understanding how to reset an inverter fault can help restore performance and avoid unnecessary downtime.
Some issues are temporary and easy to clear, but others may require professional repair. Many solar inverters display fault codes or solar inverter error codes to help identify the cause. These codes are useful when diagnosing the problem or resetting the inverter.
Why Your Inverter Matters in a Solar System
Solar panels produce electricity as direct current (DC), but homes use alternating current (AC). The inverter converts DC to AC so your appliances can use the power. If there’s a solar inverter fault, your system cannot deliver usable electricity to your home. That’s why learning how to reset solar inverter faults or identify fault codes is so important.
Common Signs of a Solar Inverter Fault
Here are some common signs that your system is experiencing an inverter issue:
Flashing red or orange lights: These indicate a system warning or error.
Error messages: Your inverter screen may display text or codes when something goes wrong.
No energy output: Your monitoring app or utility bill may show little or no energy generation.
Inverter fault codes: These codes, made up of numbers or letters, can indicate what’s wrong.
All of these signs may indicate the need to check your system and figure out how to reset the inverter fault or call for service.
What Causes Solar Inverter Faults?
A solar inverter fault doesn’t always mean your system is damaged. In many cases, the inverter is doing exactly what it was designed to do—pausing or shutting down to protect itself. Still, it’s important to understand the possible causes, especially if you’re trying to figure out how to reset the inverter fault or interpret solar inverter fault codes.
Common Reasons for Solar Inverter Faults
Several routine issues can trigger a fault in your solar inverter:
Weather, Wear, and Wiring
Several everyday factors can lead to a solar inverter fault:
Overheating: Inverters from brands like SMA and SolarEdge often reduce output or shut down temporarily in high heat to avoid internal damage. Poor ventilation or direct sun exposure can make this worse.
Grid fluctuations: Enphase microinverters and string inverters like Fronius may detect utility grid instability, like voltage spikes or drops, and trigger a fault to protect your home and the grid.
Wiring issues: Loose or corroded connections between your panels, combiner boxes, and inverter can cause communication errors or faults, regardless of brand.
Internal wear: Like any electronic device, inverters age. After about 10 years, parts like capacitors may degrade, especially in older models from ABB or early-generation SMA units.
Each of these issues might cause specific inverter fault codes, which help technicians (and homeowners with the manual) diagnose the problem.
Poor Installation or Maintenance
Some solar inverter faults trace back to how the system was installed or maintained:
Improper setup: If your system was installed with mismatched components or insufficient grounding, brands like SolarEdge may flag this through specific inverter fault codes shortly after commissioning.
Deferred maintenance: Dust buildup inside fan-cooled inverters like Fronius or pest damage in outdoor units can interfere with performance over time.
Lack of monitoring: With systems that rely on apps, like Enphase Enlighten or SolarEdge Monitoring, it’s easy to miss early signs of trouble if you’re not checking regularly.
How to Reset Inverter Fault Safely
If your solar system has stopped producing power and you see an error message or warning light, you’re likely wondering how to reset the inverter fault. In many cases, a reset is a reasonable first step, especially if the fault is minor or caused by a brief grid issue or weather event. Knowing how to reset a solar inverter can help restore power and avoid unnecessary downtime.
Before you reset anything, take a moment to check the solar inverter fault codes or error messages. These codes are designed to identify specific problems, and some may require professional repair. If you don’t recognize the code, look it up in your inverter’s manual or mobile app. Only move forward with a reset if the code points to a minor or temporary fault.
Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Your Solar Inverter
To safely reset a solar inverter fault, follow these basic steps:
Step 1: Turn off the AC isolator (usually located near your main electrical panel).
Step 2: Turn off the DC isolator (near your inverter or array).
Step 3: Wait at least 60 seconds to allow the system to fully power down.
Step 4: Turn the DC isolator back on, followed by the AC isolator.
Step 5: Watch your inverter display for status updates or cleared fault codes.
Some systems, like Enphase microinverters, may reset automatically after the issue resolves. Others, including SolarEdge and SMA inverters, often require a manual reset like the one outlined above. If the inverter fault returns right away or the same fault code appears again, it may indicate a more serious issue that needs inspection or repair.
When Not to Reset an Inverter Fault
There are times when learning how to reset inverter fault messages isn't the solution—it might actually delay needed repairs. If you see signs of electrical damage, smoke, burning smells, or hear loud noises from the inverter, do not attempt a reset. These can indicate serious issues that require a licensed technician.
You should also avoid resetting the inverter repeatedly if the solar inverter fault keeps coming back. Constant resets can mask larger problems with wiring, grid voltage, or internal components. And in some cases, forcing a reset may clear a code without fixing the issue, leaving your system offline or underperforming.
If you're unsure whether it's safe to proceed or you need help interpreting inverter fault codes, GreenLancer offers affordable solar repair services—even if your original installer is no longer in business.
Understanding Inverter Fault Codes
If you're seeing an error message or your solar system isn’t producing power as expected, chances are you're dealing with one or more inverter fault codes. These codes are your inverter’s way of flagging a specific issue—whether it’s a temporary hiccup or something that needs professional attention.
Understanding what those codes mean is a key part of resolving a solar inverter fault, especially before you try to figure out how to reset the inverter fault safely. Each inverter brand has its own system of codes, and while they may look cryptic, they’re designed to help diagnose the problem quickly and accurately.
What Inverter Fault Codes Mean
Inverter fault codes are like a status report from your solar system. They typically signal issues related to voltage fluctuations, temperature limits, communication problems, or internal hardware failures.
Here are a few common examples:
Enphase microinverters often report issues like "Grid Instability" or "Power Line Communication Lost."
SolarEdge may display numeric inverter error codes like 18x or 33x, which relate to DC voltage range issues or ground faults.
SMAÂ inverters might show inverter error codes tied to overheating or inverter self-test failures.
Seeing one of these codes doesn’t always mean something’s broken—it could just be a sign your system needs a reset or quick inspection. Still, it’s important not to guess, especially if you’re unsure how serious the solar inverter fault might be.
Where to Find Your Inverter Fault Code Definitions
If you’re staring at a string of letters and numbers, the good news is that you don’t have to decode them alone. You can usually find inverter fault code definitions in one of these places:
Your inverter’s user manual
The manufacturer’s website or support portal
A solar monitoring app like Enphase Enlighten or SolarEdge Monitoring
Understanding the code before trying to figure out how to reset the inverter fault can save time—and potentially prevent a bigger issue down the line. And if the code isn’t listed or keeps reappearing, it might be time to call in a solar repair pro.
What to Do If Resetting the Inverter Doesn’t Work
If you’ve already tried to reset the inverter fault and your system still isn’t working properly, don’t worry—you’re not out of options. Sometimes, a solar inverter fault is more than just a quick fix. When the fault code keeps coming back, or your inverter won’t reboot at all, it’s likely pointing to a deeper issue that needs expert attention.
Persistent inverter fault codes can indicate anything from internal component wear to grid compatibility problems, especially in older systems. At this point, it’s a good idea to document what you’re seeing and prepare to reach out for support.
Contacting Your Installer or Support With Inverter Faults
Before you call for help, gather the details that will speed things up:
The inverter brand and model (e.g., Enphase IQ7, SolarEdge HD-Wave, SMA Sunny Boy)
Exact inverter fault codes showing on the screen or app
What symptoms are you noticing, such as blinking lights, no power output, or recent weather events
Steps you've already taken, including whether or not you tried to reset the fault
With this info ready, your installer—or the inverter manufacturer’s tech support line—can better advise you on the next steps or determine if your issue is covered under a solar inverter warranty.
When to Consider a Solar Repair Service
If your original installer is no longer in business, or if the inverter is 8 to 10 years old, it may be time to contact a qualified solar repair service. Ongoing solar inverter faults could be a sign that key components are starting to fail. In some cases, you might need a replacement inverter or upgraded components to keep your system running efficiently.
When you’re stuck trying to make sense of stubborn inverter fault codes or unsure how to reset inverter faults without risking further issues, GreenLancer can help. Our solar repair network is available nationwide, even for orphaned systems with no active installer support.
Preventing Future Solar Inverter Faults
While it’s impossible to prevent every solar inverter fault, there are a few simple habits that can reduce the chances of running into recurring issues. Keeping your inverter in good shape and catching problems early can help you avoid confusing inverter fault codes or the need to figure out how to reset inverter faults again and again.
Keep Your System Clean and Well-Ventilated
Your inverter needs proper airflow to stay cool, especially during summer months or in warmer climates. If it's installed outdoors or in a garage, make sure there’s enough clearance around it for ventilation. Inverters from brands like Fronius and SolarEdge often rely on internal fans, which can get clogged with dust or debris over time.
Keep weeds, leaves, and dust away from the equipment
Avoid stacking storage or blocking airflow around the solar inverter
Check periodically for pests like wasps or rodents that might nest nearby
Overheating is a common trigger for solar inverter faults, and good airflow goes a long way in preventing unnecessary shutdowns.
Monitor System Performance Regularly
One of the best ways to stay ahead of inverter problems is to monitor your system regularly using the tools provided by your installer or manufacturer. Platforms like Enphase Enlighten, SolarEdge Monitoring, or SMA Sunny Portal allow you to spot drops in performance or view inverter fault codes as soon as they occur.
By checking in every so often—or setting up automatic alerts—you can catch small issues before they grow into costly repairs. Plus, if you ever need to figure out how to reset an inverter fault, having clear performance data and error codes at your fingertips makes the process easier.
Final Thoughts on Dealing With a Solar Inverter Fault
Running into a solar inverter fault can be frustrating, especially if it seems to come out of nowhere. But in many cases, the issue is minor—something like a temporary grid fluctuation, a temperature spike, or a brief communication error. Once you identify the problem using inverter fault codes, it’s often possible to get things running again with a simple reset.
The key is staying proactive. Regularly checking your solar monitoring app and keeping your system clean and well-ventilated can go a long way in preventing future faults. And when something does go wrong, knowing how to reset inverter faults safely—and when to ask for help—can save you time and avoid bigger issues down the road.
If your inverter problems aren’t going away or you’ve lost touch with your original installer, GreenLancer’s solar repair services are here to help. We offer fast, affordable support for homeowners nationwide, including troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repairs for orphaned systems.
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