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EV Charger Status Lights Explained (Green, Yellow, Red)
Public charger status lights are not universal — Tesla, ChargePoint, Electrify America, EVgo, and site hosts each use slightly different LED patterns. Still, most drivers see the same question at the stall: is it charging, waiting, or broken?
Use the diagram and color legend below as a starting point, then confirm with your car’s screen and the network app. The light alone is never the full story.
Green — usually good news
Green often means the charger is ready, actively charging, or finished but still connected. A solid green with zero kW on your dashboard usually means the session ended or the car stopped accepting power — not that you should unplug immediately if you still need the spot.
Yellow or amber — wait or investigate
Amber commonly appears when:
- The stall is preparing to start after you plug in
- Payment or app authorization is still pending
- Another vehicle is connected but not drawing much power yet
- The unit is occupied in a “shared” bank of chargers (power split across ports)
Give it 2–3 minutes. If the session never starts, cancel in the app and try the next port on the same pedestal before you assume the whole site is down.
Red — assume unavailable
Red usually indicates a fault, emergency stop, or offline hardware. Do not force the connector or hit the e-stop unless there is a safety issue. Move to another stall or open Near Me for the closest backup.
Practical checklist at the stall
Confirm the connector latched
CCS, NACS, CHAdeMO, or J1772 should click in fully. A loose plug often shows amber forever.
Start the session in the right app
ChargePoint, EA, EVgo, Tesla — each network has its own app. Match the label on the stall.
Watch the car screen, not just the pole
kW, time remaining, and “charging” status on the dashboard beat guessing from LED color.
Three-minute rule
No progress in 3 minutes? Stop, swap stalls, or drive to a backup on the Florida map.
For sessions that never authorize at all, see EV charging session won’t start. For connector confusion, read connector types in Florida.
FAQ
Does a green light always mean my car is charging?
Usually it means the charger is actively delivering power or ready to charge, but patterns differ by brand. Confirm in the network app or your car’s charging screen.
Is yellow or amber always an error?
Not always. Some units use amber for preparing, waiting for payment, or occupied. If nothing happens after a few minutes, stop the session and try another stall.
What should I do if the light is red?
Treat it as a fault or unavailable stall. Unplug safely, pick another port, and use Near Me to find a nearby backup charger.