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A red light on a Wallbox Pulsar Plus means the charger is in fault mode and won't charge. Wallbox says the problem could come from the charger, the car or the electrical supply, and that you shouldn't try to charge while it's red. Some faults clear by themselves within about 15 seconds. If yours doesn't, unplug the car and power-cycle the charger at its breaker. If the red light comes back, the Wallbox app's error code tells you what kind of fault it is. A repeat electrical fault needs Wallbox support or a licensed electrician.
Pulsar Plus light colours at a glance
Red only makes sense next to the other colours. These come from Wallbox's help center and the Pulsar Plus installation guide:
| Light | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green (rotating, then still) | Starting up, then ready |
| Turquoise | Car connected and waiting, paused, or fully charged |
| Turquoise, blinking | Scheduled charge ready to start |
| Dark blue, slow blink | Charging |
| Yellow | Charger locked |
| White, fast rotation | Firmware update in progress |
| Red | Fault, don't charge |
| Red, on for 30 seconds | Power-sharing secondaries misconfigured |
Wallbox notes that the newer PUP2 model turns the LED halo off by default to save energy, lighting it for 8 seconds when the status changes. On a PUP2, a dark charger isn't necessarily a dead one. Check the app instead.
Step 1: Wait 15 seconds
The installation guide says a red halo means the charger detected a safety issue with the electrical connection or the vehicle, and that some errors reset automatically after 15 seconds if the fault has cleared. Brief voltage dips or a connector that wasn't fully seated can trigger this. Give it a moment before you do anything else.
Step 2: The owner power cycle
If the red light stays, Wallbox's recommended sequence is:
- Unplug the connector from the car.
- Switch the charger's dedicated circuit breaker OFF.
- Wait a few seconds. We suggest about a minute, so everything fully powers down.
- Switch the breaker back ON and wait for the green start-up rotation to finish.
- Plug the car back in.
Step 3: Read the error code in the app
Open the Wallbox app while you're near the charger. It connects by Bluetooth (Wallbox says to stay within about 32.8 feet) or over WiFi. The charger's status will usually show a three-digit error code. These are the standard codes from Wallbox's help center, summarised:
| Code | What Wallbox says it means | Owner step |
|---|---|---|
| 101 | Connection or internal error | Disconnect car, restart charger; if it persists, restore via the app |
| 102 | Internal relay stuck closed | Disconnect car, power cycle at breaker, restore |
| 103 | DC leakage detected (car's onboard charger, charger or installation) | Disconnect car, restart, reconnect |
| 104 | Control pilot (car communication) issue | Switch off, unplug car, restart |
| 106 | Unexpected voltage on the pilot signal | Switch off, unplug car, restart |
| 107 | Couldn't lock the plug (socket models) | Reseat the cable fully, power cycle |
| 109 | Grid voltage outside UK limits (UK units) | Wait for it to clear; voltage checks are electrician work |
| 110 | Can't read the cable's resistor (socket models) | Reseat or try another cable |
| 112 | Supply voltage below 150V | Wait, then restart; voltage checks are electrician work |
"Restore" in Wallbox's instructions is an app function that resets the charger's software settings. Your installer may have set a current limit and other settings during setup, so note them before you restore. Wallbox marks some follow-up steps for codes 109 and 112 "certified electrician only." Measuring supply voltage means working inside live electrical equipment, so leave that to a professional.
Step 4: Narrow down car or charger
Wallbox says a red fault can come from the car. A quick test owners can safely do is to try the car on another charger, such as a public Level 2 station, and if possible, try another EV on your Pulsar Plus. If only one car triggers the fault, especially a 103 (DC leakage) or a pilot code, take it up with the car's dealer. If every car triggers it, the problem is on the charger or supply side.
Also check the connector. Make sure the pins aren't bent, wet or dirty, and that the plug clicks in fully. A holster keeps the plug off the floor and out of puddles, which helps prevent leakage and pilot faults.
Step 5: Installer settings and power sharing
Two red-light causes come from how the charger was set up, not from a failure.
- Current selector position. Wallbox's product overview lists a wrong current selector setting as a cause of a red error, and says the selector must not be at position 0, 8 or 9. The selector is inside the charger, so ask your installer to check it. Don't open the unit yourself.
- Power sharing (Static Load Management). If two or more chargers share one circuit and the light turns red for 30 seconds, Wallbox says the secondary chargers are misconfigured and can't pair. This is a setup fix in the app or by your installer.
Helpful accessories
These don't fix a faulty charger, but they help prevent common causes. Specs are from the Amazon listings, and we haven't tested them.
Lectron J1772 Nozzle Holster Dock and J-Hook Combo
Fits J1772 connectors; holster latches onto the nozzle; J-hook for cable; anti-corrosive steel per listing; indoor or outdoor; includes 4 screws and 4 wall plugs
Pros
- Keeps the connector off the floor and out of water
- Latching dock holds the plug securely
- Cable hook reduces strain on the cord
Cons
- J1772 only, not for NACS/Tesla plugs
- Has to be screwed to the wall
If your Pulsar Plus keeps losing its WiFi link, so you can't read error codes remotely, a 2.4 GHz extender near the garage can help:
TP-Link RE315 AC1200 Dual-Band WiFi Extender
Dual band: 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz; two external antennas; one Ethernet port; EasyMesh compatible; plugs into a wall outlet
Pros
- Extends 2.4 GHz, the band most chargers prefer
- Small plug-in unit for a hallway or garage outlet
- Ethernet port for a wired device
Cons
- Indoor unit, not weatherproof
- Extenders add coverage, not speed
| Product | Key specs | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Lectron J1772 Nozzle Holster Dock and J-Hook Combo | Fits J1772 connectors; holster latches onto the nozzle; J-hook for cable; anti-corrosive steel per listing; indoor or outdoor; includes 4 screws and 4 wall plugs | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| TP-Link RE315 AC1200 Dual-Band WiFi Extender | Dual band: 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbps on 5 GHz; two external antennas; one Ethernet port; EasyMesh compatible; plugs into a wall outlet | Check price on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Specs are from manufacturer and retailer listings and can change between versions; check the listing before you buy. We don't show prices because they change often; the button shows the current price on Amazon.
For more WiFi steps that work on most chargers, see our ChargePoint Home Flex WiFi guide. Wallbox also says the charger needs TCP port 80 and UDP port 123 open on closed networks. If you're comparing how other brands report faults, our Grizzl-E blink code guide covers a charger that uses flash counts instead of an app.
When to contact Wallbox or an electrician
- Wallbox support: the red light returns after a power cycle and restore, the app shows 101, 102 or 104 repeatedly, or the charger is under warranty.
- Licensed electrician: the breaker trips, the code points to supply voltage (109, 112), leakage (103) persists with more than one car, or anything at the charger, plug or panel feels hot or smells of burning.
FAQ
What does a red light on a Wallbox Pulsar Plus mean?
It means the charger is in fault mode. Wallbox says the cause can be the charger, the car or the electrical supply, and you shouldn't try to charge until it clears.
How do I reset a Wallbox Pulsar Plus?
Unplug the car, switch the charger's breaker off, wait, then switch it back on. If the fault remains, you can use the restore function in the Wallbox app, then contact Wallbox support.
Why does my Wallbox go red for 30 seconds?
On chargers set up for power sharing, a red light for 30 seconds means the secondary chargers are misconfigured and can't pair. Check the load management setup in the app or with your installer.
Can my car cause a red light on the Wallbox?
Yes. Wallbox lists the vehicle as a possible source, and code 103 says DC leakage can come from the car's onboard charger. Try the car on another charger to check.
Why is my Pulsar Plus light off?
On a PUP2 model the halo is off by default and only lights for 8 seconds when the status changes. Check the app. If the app can't reach it and the breaker is on, contact support.