By: Otaiba Ahsan
One of the conveniences of owning a Tesla is its easy plug-and-play charging system. Most of the time, unplugging your car is as simple as pressing a button on the charging handle or using the Tesla app. But what happens when the cable doesn’t release as expected? Whether it’s due to a software glitch, a frozen connector, or a power outage, knowing how to manually release the charging cable from your Tesla can save you time and frustration. Continue reading for more.
Stopping Charging
Under normal circumstances, the simplest way to stop charging is by disconnecting the cable. This can be accomplished by pressing and holding the button on the connector’s handle to release the latch, then pulling the connector from the charge port. Once out, the charge port door will close automatically.
You can also tap Stop Charging on the touchscreen when in the car, or using the mobile app.
To prevent the unauthorized unplugging of the charge cable, ensure the latch remains locked. This simply means that you must keep your Tesla locked. The cable can be unplugged only if the car is unlocked, or if the vehicle detects the phone key.
NOTE: Not sure how to open your charge port? See our comprehensive guide on how to open the charge port of your Tesla.
Manually Releasing the Charge Cable
If the usual methods for releasing the charge cable mentioned above don’t work, then carefully follow these steps to manually release it:
- Ensure your Tesla is not actively charging by tapping Stop Charging on the touchscreen or via the mobile app.
- Open the rear trunk.
- Pull the charge port’s release cable downwards to unlatch it. See the visual from Tesla for your reference.
- Pull the cable from the charge port.
WARNING: Don’t pull the release cable while simultaneously attempting to remove the charge cable from the port. Instead, always pull the release cable before. Tesla warns that failure to follow these instructions can result in electric shock and serious injury.
The Bottom Line
The steps on how to manually release the charging cable from your Tesla are simple. First, ensure your Tesla is not actively charging by tapping Stop Charging on the touchscreen or using the mobile app. Next, open the rear trunk, then pull the charge port’s release cable downwards to unlatch it. Lastly, pull the cable from the charge port.