Victron MultiPlus and Quattro Troubleshooting: LEDs and VE.Bus Error Codes
Victron MultiPlus and Quattro troubleshooting
This guide covers the front-panel LEDs and VE.Bus error codes on Victron MultiPlus, MultiPlus-II and Quattro inverter/chargers (120 V models). It is based on Victron's own manuals and Victron's VE.Bus Error Codes page. Victron says the Victron Toolkit app has the most up-to-date list of blink codes. Check it too if your unit shows a pattern that is not listed here.
Safety first
- These units work with lethal AC voltage and high-current DC. Victron notes that dangerous voltage can remain inside the unit and at its terminals after it is switched off.
- Before opening the case or touching any terminal, disconnect all AC sources (shore power, generator) and the DC battery supply (fuse, disconnect switch or DC breaker).
- Internal repairs, firmware updates and configuration changes should be done by a qualified technician.
Normal LED indications
The front panel has eight LEDs: mains on, inverter on, bulk, absorption, float, overload, low battery and temperature. In normal operation:
- Inverter on lit: the inverter is on and powering the loads from the battery.
- Mains on lit: AC input is accepted and passed through to AC out, and the charger is running. The bulk, absorption or float LED shows the charge stage.
- Bulk lit: bulk charging.
- Bulk and absorption both lit: BatterySafe mode. The charger is on, but the absorption voltage has not been reached yet.
- Absorption lit: absorption charging (also shown during forced absorption).
- Float lit: float charging.
- Bulk and absorption blinking: equalize charging.
- Mains on blinking: PowerControl. AC output current equals the preset maximum input current, so charge current is reduced to 0 A.
- Mains on lit and inverter on blinking: PowerAssist. The load needs more than the preset maximum input current, and the inverter is adding power.
Alarm and warning LEDs
In general, a flashing alarm LED is a warning (the unit keeps running). A steady alarm LED means the unit has shut down.
| Code | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Overload flashing | The load is higher than the inverter's nominal rating. | Reduce the load. |
| Overload on | Inverter shut down because of overload or a short circuit on the output. | Reduce the load. Look for a short circuit on AC out. |
| Low battery flashing | Battery voltage is low (battery almost exhausted). | Charge the battery. Check the battery connections. |
| Low battery on | Inverter shut down because battery voltage is too low. | Charge the battery. Check the battery connections. |
| Temperature flashing | Internal temperature is reaching a critical level. | Reduce the load. Move the unit to a cooler, well-ventilated space. |
| Temperature on | Inverter shut down because the internal temperature is too high. | Reduce the load. Move the unit to a cooler, well-ventilated space. |
| Low battery and overload flashing alternately | Battery is nearly exhausted and the load is too high. | Charge the batteries, then reduce or disconnect loads. Consider more battery capacity. Fit shorter and/or thicker battery cables. |
| Low battery and overload flashing together | Ripple voltage on the DC connection is above 1.5 Vrms. | Check the battery cables and connections. Check that battery capacity is high enough, and increase it if needed. |
| Low battery and overload both on | Inverter shut down because DC ripple voltage is too high. | Add battery capacity. Fit shorter and/or thicker battery cables. Reset the inverter by switching it off and back on. |
| One alarm LED on, another flashing | The unit shut down for the alarm shown by the steady LED. The flashing LED shows an alarm that was about to trip. | Check both alarms using the rows above. |
| Bulk flashing, mains on lit (charger not working) | Bulk protection: the 10-hour maximum bulk time was exceeded. A charge time this long can point to a fault such as a shorted battery cell. | Check the batteries. Switch the unit off and on to reset. Bulk protection is on by default and can only be changed in VEConfigure. |
| Mains on flashing, no output voltage | The unit is in charger-only mode with AC input present, and it is rejecting the AC input or still synchronizing. | Check the AC input voltage and frequency (see the charger table below). |
| Bulk and absorption flashing together | Voltage sense error. The voltage at the voltage sense connection differs by more than 7 V from the voltage on the main DC terminals. The unit keeps running. | Check the voltage sense wiring. If the inverter on LED flashes in the opposite rhythm, it is a VE.Bus error code (see below). |
| Absorption and float flashing together | The measured battery temperature is not plausible. The unit keeps running. | Check the battery temperature sensor and its connection. Replace the sensor if it is faulty. If the inverter on LED flashes in the opposite rhythm, it is a VE.Bus error code (see below). |
Charger and AC input problems
| Code | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Charger does not run | AC input voltage or frequency is outside the set range. | Check that the AC input is within range: 95-140 VAC on the MultiPlus 3k 120V and Quattro 120V manuals, 97-140 VAC on the MultiPlus-II 120V manual. The default frequency range is 45-65 Hz. |
| Charger does not run | The AC input breaker or fuse opened from overload. | Remove the overload or short circuit on AC out 1 or AC out 2, then reset the breaker or fuse. |
| Charger does not run | The battery fuse has blown. | Replace the battery fuse. |
| Charger does not run | The AC input is too distorted (usually generator power). | Turn on the WeakAC and dynamic current limiter settings. |
| Unit will not switch to generator or shore power | The AC input breaker or fuse opened from overload. | Remove the overload or short circuit on AC out, then reset the breaker or fuse. |
| No voltage on AC out 2 | The unit is inverting. AC out 2 is only live when AC input is present. | Connect an AC source. On the MultiPlus-II 120V, AC out 2 comes on after a 2-minute delay. |
| Inverter will not start when switched on | Battery voltage is too high or too low, or there is no voltage on the DC connection. | Measure the battery voltage at the unit's DC terminals and make sure it is within the correct range. |
| Charge current drops to 0 when absorption starts | The battery is overheated (above 50°C / 122°F), or the battery temperature sensor is faulty. | Cool the battery and reduce the charge current. Check for a cell with an internal short. Disconnect the temperature sensor: if charging works after about 1 minute, replace the sensor. |
How to read VE.Bus error codes from the LEDs
In parallel, split-phase and three-phase systems, units can show VE.Bus codes with the inverter on, bulk, absorption and float LEDs. A GX device (such as a Cerbo GX) or the VRM portal shows the VE.Bus error number directly, which is easier.
- The unit must be in error (no AC output).
- The inverter on LED must be flashing. If it is not, there is no VE.Bus error code.
- Any flashing bulk, absorption or float LED must flash in the opposite rhythm to the inverter on LED (off when it is on, and on when it is off). Otherwise, it is not a VE.Bus error code.
- Read the bulk, absorption and float LEDs. Give each one a value: off = 0, flashing = 1, on = 2.
- Error code = (bulk × 9) + (absorption × 3) + float. For example, bulk off, absorption flashing and float off gives code 3. Bulk on, absorption on and float off gives code 24.
VE.Bus OK codes: when a healthy unit is waiting because another unit in the system has an error, it shows an OK code instead. A flashing bulk LED means the unit can invert. A flashing float LED means the unit can charge. All other LEDs should be off, except that the low battery LED can appear with the "can charge" OK code.
VE.Bus error codes
Victron's first step for almost any VE.Bus error is to update all units (and the GX device) to the latest firmware. Use factory-made network cables, not hand-crimped RJ45 cables. To restart a system, switch every unit off one by one, then switch them all back on.
| Code | Meaning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unit switched off because another phase in the system switched off. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Find the phase that is not showing error 1, and read its LEDs while the fault is present. The cause is usually overload, low battery or high temperature. |
| 2 | New and old type MK2 protocol mixed in the system. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Victron says this should never happen. Contact Victron service through your dealer. |
| 3 | Fewer or more units found than expected. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Often follows error 1, so fix that first. Check that all units are configured as one system. Check the communication cables. Check for a blown DC fuse in one unit: it may only show up when shore power fails. |
| 4 | No other unit found. The master is configured for a multi-unit system but cannot find the others. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Can appear briefly while the system restarts after an error. If it persists, check or replace the communication cables. Do not use self-made cables. |
| 5 | Overvoltage on AC out. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Check the AC wiring, especially on slave units, where wiring may be loose or missing. |
| 6 | Error in DDC program (an Assistant). Restarts automatically when cleared. | Update the VE.Bus firmware in all units. Download the latest VEConfigure and Assistants, then reconfigure. Also check the Assistant settings if a VE.Bus BMS was connected or removed. |
| 7 | External device (such as a VE.Bus BMS) connected, but no Assistant loaded to handle it. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Configure the unit with the right Assistant. |
| 8 | Ground relay test failed (MultiPlus-II and EasySolar-II). Restarts automatically when cleared. | Read the detailed error on the GX device. On newer hardware, repeated errors point to that unit's ground relay. On older hardware, check for neutral-out tied to ground externally, a neutral bypass, and leakage or shorts in the loads. |
| 10 | System time synchronization problem. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Often shows briefly during a restart and is not a real fault. If it persists, check the communication cables, and check for a blown DC fuse in one unit. |
| 11 | Relay test fault (MultiPlus-II and EasySolar-II). Often an installation or wiring issue, sometimes a failed relay. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Update the firmware. Check the earth connection on AC in. Check that neutral-in and neutral-out are not joined externally, and that line and neutral are not swapped on the input. Disconnect the AC out wiring to rule out a faulty load. A detailed error 11 report is on the GX device. |
| 12 | Configuration mismatch between the unit's two microcontrollers (for example, on the MultiPlus-II). Restarts automatically when cleared. | Connect VEConfigure 3, check the settings, and send them using "all settings", not "modified settings". |
| 14 | Unit cannot transmit data. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Most likely a short circuit in the communication cables. If not, a board component may have failed and the unit needs repair. |
| 15 | VE.Bus combination error between products, firmware versions or commands. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Update the firmware. Check for external BMS commands being sent while a VE.Bus BMS is connected. |
| 16 | VE.Bus dongle missing. Stays off until restarted. | Update to the latest firmware (dongles are no longer needed). |
| 17 | Phase master missing: a slave lost contact with the master. Restarts automatically when cleared. | Check and replace the network cables, and inspect the RJ45 sockets on the units. Check the DC fuse in every unit. Update the firmware and Assistants on the units and the GX device. |
| 18 | AC overvoltage on the output of a slave while it is switched off. Stays off until restarted. | Check that AC wires are not swapped. A switched-off unit should never have voltage on AC out. |
| 19 | A slave has no AC input. Stays off until restarted. | Connect AC input to all units, or disable "Switch as Group" in VE.Bus System Configurator (not available in ESS systems). |
| 20 | Configuration mismatch: extended VE.Bus options are not allowed when a grid code is selected. Stays off until restarted. | Correct the configuration. |
| 22 | This unit cannot work as a slave. Stays off until restarted. | The unit is an obsolete, unsuitable model and should be replaced. |
| 24 | Switch-over system protection: current is flowing through the back-feed relay while it should be open. Stays off until restarted. | Reduce the AC load at the moment of transfer. On 120 V MultiPlus-II units, Victron suggests raising the AC input low-voltage limit to 110 VAC (factory setting 90 VAC). On a MultiPlus-II with an external current sensor, enable "External current sensor connected" in VEConfigure. If it persists, the relay or current measurement may be faulty. |
| 25 | Firmware incompatibility or incompatible VE.Bus configuration. Stays off until configured correctly and restarted. | Use the same, latest firmware in all units. Check the compatibility IDs on the unit stickers: the 4-digit number must match in all units, and units on the same phase must have the same letter. |
| 26 | Internal error. Stays off until restarted. | Switch all equipment off and on. If it returns, contact Victron through your dealer. |
| 30, 31 | "Ghost" errors caused by a corrupted message on the VE.Bus. | Check the RJ45 network cables and connections. |
| 128 | Connection to the grid prevented: the relay test has kept failing for more than 5 minutes (Quattro-II with a grid code selected). | The unit keeps repeating the relay test until it passes. Victron gives no separate steps for this code, so have the installation and the unit checked by a qualified technician. |
Useful parts and tools
- Victron Cerbo GX MK2: a GX device that shows VE.Bus errors and alarm status per phase.
- Victron Interface MK3-USB: VE.Bus to USB interface.
- Victron VE.Bus Smart Dongle
- Victron VE.Bus Cable with RJ45
- Victron Digital Multi Control 200/200A GX
- Inverter/chargers: MultiPlus 3000VA 120V, MultiPlus-II 3000 120V, MultiPlus-II 48V 120V, Quattro 5000 120V, Quattro 48/3000 120V.
Manuals and datasheets for these products are listed on our Manuals and datasheets page.
Still not working? Contact our repair service — we repair marine inverter/chargers.
Source: Victron Energy, VE.Bus Error Codes; Victron MultiPlus-II 120V manual (Operation and Error Indications chapters); Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120-50 and 24/3000/70-50 120V manual (firmware xxxx400 or higher); Victron Quattro 5k-10k 120V manual.