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All ABB Inverter Error Codes and How to Fix Them

There are approximately 60 ABB inverter error codes that fall into three broad categories ranging from simple warnings to errors and failures. Most common ABB models are PVI-3.0 / PVI-3.6 / PVI-4.2 TL-OUTD Solar Inverter.

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What are Solar Inverter Error Codes?

Solar inverter error codes are alphanumeric symbols and signs generated and displayed by an inverter to notify of an issue threatening the normal operation of a solar system.

The inverter is a vital component of a solar system. After the PV modules convert sunlight to solar electricity, the solar inverter converts the electricity to a form that is usable in the house.

In that respect, the main function of a solar inverter is power conversion. They convert the DC power the panels produce into AC power that household appliances can use.

However, modern inverters do more than just power conversion. Modern solar inverters are smart devices that can also monitor solar PV system performance and give real-time reports.

The inverter error codes are examples of the reporting function of solar inverters.

Various forces can affect a solar system’s power generation. When the inverter, in its monitoring capacity, detects an issue, it generates and displays a code to notify you of the problem so that you can take appropriate action.

True, the component of the solar system that is most likely to fail is the inverter. However, “inverter error codes” are not always issues with inverters.

Inverter error codes could also represent:

Issues with other components of the solar system (like the solar panel), or
External problems (such as grid outages).

This collection of potential hazards which affect power generation are collectively called “inverter error codes” because the inverter is the device that detects and displays them.

Common Causes of ABB Inverter Error Codes

The most common causes of ABB inverter error codes are:

Grid Issues
Electrical Current Problems
Temperature Fluctuations
Software Troubles

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1. Grid Issues

If you have a grid-tied solar system, inverter error codes can come from grid issues. Inverters are built to operate within specific parameters. If the inputs from the grid are outside those parameters, the inverter will generate and display an error code.

Grid-related events that cause error codes include:

If the grid standard is not set on the inverter,
The grid voltage is outside the inverter’s range (over voltage or under voltage), or
Grid frequency is above the inverter’s capacity (over frequency or under frequency).

2. Electrical Current Problems

If the input and/or output current is outside the allowable range of the inverter, it will display an error code. Thus, current problems that cause error codes include:

Input (DC) overcurrent or undercurrent, or
Output (AC) overcurrent or undercurrent.

3. Temperature Fluctuations

Inverters have an operating temperature range. The inverter will display an error code if the internal temperature or ambient temperature exceeds this range. Thus, temperature problems that cause error codes include:

Broken fan,
Excessive temperature inside the inverter, or
Low ambient temperature.

4. Software Troubles

An inverter makes use of software programs to execute specific tasks. Any problem with the operating information will result in an error message. Examples of software troubles that cause error codes include:

Communication breakdown between internal components,
An excessive difference between the Internal time of microprocessors and the time displayed, or
The inverter takes longer than usual to start up.

All Error Codes for ABB Inverters and Solutions to Fix Them

ABB inverters use three means to display errors. It either displays a code, an error message, or an LED signs (or a combination of these). The ABB solar inverters have about sixty error codes, which can be broadly grouped into three main areas:

In the first group, no code is displayed.
In the second group, the error codes begin with a “W.”
In the third group, the error codes begin with an “E.”

ABB Error Codes – No Code is Displayed

In the first group of ABB inverter error codes, an error message and an LED display are shown, but no alphanumeric code is displayed.

The codes, possible causes, and solutions are as follows:

Code	Error Message	LED Signal	Cause	Solution
E002	Input OV	Yellow	Input overvoltage – the inverter’s input voltage exceeds the allowable limit.	Measure the input voltage and check that the PV generators are correctly configured. If the problem persists, contact customer service.
E003	No Parameters	Yellow	The main microcontroller cannot initialise with the two DSPs because of a communication problem on the inverter’s internal bus.	Customer customer service.
E004	Bulk OV	Yellow	The voltage at the heads of the bulk capacitors exceeds allowable limits.	Check that the PV generator is correctly configured. If grid issues cause overvoltage, the inverter will reset it. If the error persists, contact customer support.
E005	Comm.Error	Yellow	The control devices inside the inverter have communication problems.	Restart the inverter. If the error persists, contact customer support.
E006	Output OC	Yellow	The inverter’s output current exceeds allowable limits.	Restart the inverter. If the error persists, contact customer support.
E007	IGBT Sat	Yellow	One of the inverter’s active devices is saturated.	The inverter will try to rectify the error. But if it persists, contact customer support.
E009	Internal error	Yellow	There’s an error inside the inverter.	Contact customer service.
E010	Bulk Low	Yellow	Low bulk voltage caused by reduced input voltage.	Contact customer service.
E011	Ramp Fail	Yellow	The DC-DC circuit regime takes long to start.	Contact customer support.
E012	DcDc Fail	Yellow	Error in the operation of the DC-DC circuit regime.	Contact customer support.
E013	Wrong Mode	Yellow	The inverter inputs are configured parallel instead of independent.	Ensure that the “IN MODE” switch is set to “PAR” and that the bridges between the two input channels are included. If all is correct, check that the strings are correctly installed. If the problem persists, contact customer support.
E014	Over-Temp.	Yellow	The external temperature is over 60 degrees Celsius.	Ensure the inverter is not under direct sunlight. Allow the inverter to cool down. If the error persists, contact customer service.
E015	Bulk Cap Fail	Yellow	One or more of the bulk capacitors in the inverter has a problem.	Contact customer service.
E016	Inverter Fail	Yellow	There’s a problem in the DC-AC inverter circuit.	Contact customer service.
E017	Start Timeout	Yellow	It takes longer for the DC-AC circuit regime to start.	Contact customer service.
E018	Ground Fault	Red	There’s a leakage current in the inverter’s DC side.	Measure the insulation resistance. If the value measured is lower than 1 megaohm, a check is necessary to identify and correct the problem. If the value is greater than 1 megaohm, contact customer support.
E019	lleak sense.fail	Yellow	The sensors fail to measure the leakage current during the inverter’s self-tests.	Contact customer service.
E020	Self Test Error 1	Yellow	The inverter’s test detects a problem with the relay of the DC-DC circuit regime.	Contact customer service.
E021	Self Test Error 2	Yellow	The inverter’s test detects a problem with the relay of the DC-AC circuit regime.	Contact customer service.
E022	Self Test Error 4	Yellow	The internal tests on the relays inside the inverter times out.	Contact customer service.
E023	DC in error	Yellow	The current continuously fed to the grid exceeds the threshold of normal operating current	The inverter tries to return to normal operation. If the error persists, contact customer service.
E024	Internal error	Yellow	There’s an error inside the inverter	Contact customer service.
E025	Riso Low	Red	The insulation resistance of the PV generator is low due to damaged panels, damaged J-boxes’ terminals, cable joints, etc.	Measure the insulation resistance. If the value measured is lower than 1 megaohm, a check is necessary to identify and correct the problem. If the value is greater than 1 megaohm, contact customer support.
E026	Vref Error	Yellow	The reference voltage is not measured correctly.	Contact customer service.
E027	Error Meas V	Yellow	Error in grid voltage internal measurement resulting in grid voltage outside of range.	Contact customer service.
E028	Error Meas F	Yellow	Error in grid frequency’s internal measurement resulting in grid frequency outside of range.	Contact customer service.
E029	Mid Bulk OV	Yellow	Over-voltage on mid bulk’s measurement in triphase models.	Contact customer service.
E030	Error Meas leak	Yellow	High leakage current on the inverter’s DC side.	Contact customer service.
E031	The	Yellow	The internal voltage on the heads of the output relay is outside of the range	Contact customer service.
E032	Error Read I	Yellow	The output currents are not balanced	Contact customer service.
E033	UTH	Yellow	The temperature outside the inverter is below -25 degrees Celsius.	Wait for the temperature to return to the normal operating range. If the problem persists, contact customer service.
E034	Interlock fail	Yellow	The circuitry of the IGBT is not ready.	Contact customer service.
E035	Remote Off	Yellow	The inverter has been remotely switched off.	Remotely switch the inverter back on. If the error persists, contact customer service.
E036	Vout Avg error	Yellow	The grid voltage average measurements are outside of the range.	Check the grid voltage. If it is outside of the inverter’s range, ask the grid operator to adjust it.
E037	Riso Low	Red	The “Amorphous” mode is on, causing a low level of insulation resistance.	Check that the terminals of the grounding resistance are in contact. Measure the insulation resistance. If the value measured is lower than one megaohm, a check is necessary to identify and correct the problem. If the value is greater than 1 megaohm, contact customer support.
E046	String self-test fails	None	An inverted string is recorded during the automatic check of the string voltages record.	Check the polarity of the string recorded as inverted. Then connect all strings correctly and restart the system. If the error persists, contact customer service.
E049	AC FF Error	Yellow	There’s an error in the “AC-feed forward” circuit.	Contact customer service.
E056	Over-Temp. (from the external box)	Yellow	High temperature in the inverter’s wiring box.	Ensure the inverter is not under direct sunlight. Wait for the temperature to return to the normal operating range. If the error persists, contact customer service.
E057	Vbulk reading error	Yellow	The input voltage exceeds the voltage on the DC-DC circuit.	Measure the input voltage. If it exceeds the operating range, check that the PV generators are configured correctly. If it is lower than the operating range, contact customer service.
E058	Pin vs Pout check	Yellow	The input and output power difference exceeds the inverter’s imposed limits.	Contact customer service.
E001	Input OC	Yellow	Input overcurrent – the inverter’s input current exceeds the allowable limit.	Check that the PV generators are correctly configured. If the problem persists, contact customer support.
W024	Energy data reset	None	The energy data saved in the inverter’s memory (EEPROM) becomes zero.	Reset the inverter’s memory in the advanced configuration setting software or inverter display.
W023	Date/ time changed	None	The inverter’s date and time varies.	Make the change through the advanced configuration software or inverter display.
W022	Reactive power mode changed	None	The means of managing reactive power varies.	Make the change through the advanced configuration software or inverter display.
W019	SPD AC Err	Yellow	One or more overvoltage surge arresters on the AC side is damaged.	Check the inspection window on the AC side surge arresters. If it is red, it is damaged and must be replaced. If they are all green (undamaged), contact customer support.
W018	SPD DC Err	Yellow	One or more overvoltage surge arresters on the DC side is damaged.	Check the inspection window on the DC side surge arresters. If it is red, it is damaged and must be replaced. If they are all green (undamaged), contact customer support.
W017	String Err.	Yellow	One or more string protection fuse is damaged.	Check the state of the fuses with a multimeter. If any fuse is open, replace it. If none are damaged, contact customer support.
W013	Clock broken	Yellow	The clock is malfunctioning, causing a difference of over one minute between the time o the microprocessors and the time displayed.	Contact customer support.
W012	Batt. Flat	Yellow	The buffer battery’s voltage is too low.	Check if the date and time are correct. Then switch off the inverter for a few minutes before restarting. If the date time resets to 01/01/2000, replace the battery.
W011	Bulk YV	Yellow	The voltage at the heads of the bulk capacitors is below the inverter’s operation threshold.	Raise the Vstart to sufficient power when the inverter connects to the grid. If the input voltage is less than the Vstart, check for sufficient irradiation. If it exceeds the Vstart, contact customer support.
W010	Fan Broken!	Yellow	The inverter’s internal cooling fan is malfunctioning.	Contact customer support.
W009	Empty Table	Yellow	The characterisation board for the wind generator is not compiled.	Contact customer support.
W003	Grid Failure	Yellow	The grid voltage is absent or outside the inverter’s operating range.	Check for the presence of grid voltage on the supply point. Contact the grid operator to change the parameters if it is present but is either too high or too low. If it’s within the inverter’s range, contact ABB customer service.
W002	Input UV	Yellow	Low voltage when you switch off the inverter.	If the input voltage is lower than normal, check for sufficient irradiation. If it exceeds the operating range, contact customer support.
W001	Sun Low	Yellow	Low input voltage when you switch on the inverter because the modules are incorrectly configured.	If the input voltage is lower than normal, check for sufficient irradiation. If it exceeds the operating range, contact customer support.
None	Awaiting Sun	Green	The input voltage is less than the activation voltage (Vstart).	If the input voltage is lower than the Vstart, esnure that there’s sufficient irradiation.If it exceeds the Vstart, contact customer support.
None	Mem. broken	Yellow	There’s a communication problem with the memory board on which daily energy production is saved	Remove the memory board and check that its connector terminals are intact before reinserting. If the problem persists, contact customer support.
None	Vac absent	Yellow	The inverter is not recording output voltage.	Check that the grid voltage on the inverter’s AC terminal block is present and that there’s grid voltage on the supply point.
None	Set Country or No Nation	None	The grid standard was not set when the inverter was installed.	Set your country’s grid standard. If the error persists, contact customer support.
None	New Component Refused	Yellow	The components inside the inverter are not interlinked due to a component being replaced.	Link the components (using Settings> Service> Accept boards). If the error persists, contact customer support
None	Ground F	Red	Ground fault in the photovoltaic generator due to a leaked current on the system’s DC side.	Contact customer support.

Will I Need to Replace My ABB Inverter?

ABB inverters are durable devices with a sizable product lifespan. However, since no device is entirely fail-proof, an ABB inverter will sometimes suffer from software or hardware issues. Most ABB inverter issues require full replacements.

How to Claim a Warranty Replacement for an ABB Inverter?

Since FIMER has acquired ABB's solar inverter business, you may be wondering how you can obtain a warranty replacement for your ABB solar inverter if it's still under warranty. The good news is that FIMER is honoring all existing warranties of ABB.

The ABB inverters come standard with a 5-year relacement warranty with an option to extend it to 10-years for a fee. Since FIMER absorbed the company in 2019, many ABB inverters are still under the original manufacture warranty.