This is a serious problem here. After finishing charging and unlocking, you try to pull out the charging cable, but the plug remains locked and stuck, unable to be removed. Having the cable stuck in the charger even after pressing stop is frustrating. Some electric car models experience this issue just two days after purchase, unable to remove the charging cable, rendering the car immobile. When the cable is stuck, the car enters charging mode and cannot move. This usually results from a physical issue, a safety mechanism, or a software glitch controlling the charging. The lock mechanism remains engaged. Mostly, this happens with newly purchased electric cars.
Possible causes include:
Mechanical lock: Certain devices (like electric cars or some appliances) have a latch locking the charging plug for safety, which may not release immediately even after power stops.
Dust or foreign objects: Dust or small debris inside the port can prevent the locking latch or plug contacts from moving.
Excessive temperature: If the device overheats, safety systems might lock the charging plug until the temperature drops to prevent sparks when unplugging.
Port damage: The plug or port may be warped or deformed, causing it to be unintentionally "locked" in place.
Basic troubleshooting methods include:
Do not forcefully pull: Pulling hard may cause more severe damage to the charging port, leading to costly repairs.
Check status again: Try reinserting the plug and pressing "stop" or "unlock" again. Sometimes the software freezes and needs a repeated command.
Wait for cooling.
If the device is hot, wait 10-15 minutes before gently trying to remove the plug.
Consult the manual: Specialized devices (such as electric cars) often include a "manual emergency release" cable to unlock the plug directly.
If you cannot remove the charging plug even after stopping via app or charger, try the following steps:
Basic procedures (try these first):
Unlock the car again: Hold the unlock button on the car remote for 3-5 seconds, or press the unlock button on the car console. Some models require locking then unlocking repeatedly to move the charging latch.
Check charger status: For public chargers, verify the display shows "ready to unplug" (unlock). If not, press the Emergency Stop (red button) on the charger and wait a moment before trying to unplug again.
Emergency release: If the above fails, most electric vehicles have a hidden "emergency release cable" you can activate yourself.
Location: Usually in the trunk (same side as charging port) or under the hood near the high-voltage orange wiring.
Appearance: A pull cable with a brightly colored loop (often red or orange).
Usage: Pull the cable gently and straight to release the charging latch, allowing the plug to come out.
The emergency release cable location varies by brand and model (e.g., MG, BYD, GWM). Check your vehicle manual for illustrated instructions before proceeding.
Using the emergency release forcibly disengages the lock mechanism manually, bypassing the normal electrical system. The vehicle software may not register that the plug has truly been removed, so the car may remain in "charging" status.
What happens if you pull the emergency release but the vehicle status does not change:
Safety system: The car may prevent gear engagement (Drive or Reverse) because it detects the plug as still inserted to avoid driving off with the cable attached.
Warning messages: Error alerts or "Charging Fault" status may appear continuously until the system is reset.
How to restore normal vehicle operation:
After successfully removing the plug but the car still won't move, try the following:
Reset the vehicle system (Power Cycle/Restart):
Turn off the vehicle completely (cut all power).
Walk away with the key to allow the car to enter sleep mode or lock itself for 5-10 minutes.
Return to the car and start the system again (similar to rebooting a computer). The charging port sensors usually re-check their status upon waking and should detect no cable inserted.
Try stopping the charge again from the menu.
If the display still shows charging, press the "Stop Charging" or "Unlock Charging Port" button again to let the system renegotiate the port status.
Lock and unlock the doors.
Sometimes locking and unlocking with the remote sends a signal prompting the charging port mechanism to recheck itself.
If the car still locks the status and won't move, the charging port sensor may be malfunctioning, possibly due to a stuck or damaged microswitch caused by emergency pulling.
You must contact the service center and report: "I have used the emergency release but the car remains in charging status and cannot shift gears." They will assist by resetting the system with special tools or advise a model-specific hard reset.