How to Reset Solar Inverter: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide

System acting weird? The classic IT trick works here too. Learning how to reset solar inverter units is easy: Turn off the AC breaker, then the DC switch, wait 5 minutes, and restart. It clears glitches in solar inverters instantly.

Read on to save money on service calls!

Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only. Dealing with electrical panels involves risk. If you are unsure which switch is which, or if you see exposed wiring, stop immediately and call a professional. Safety first!

Why Your Inverter Might Need a Hard Reset

Think of your solar inverter as a specialized computer. Just like your laptop gets sluggish or freezes after running for months, your inverter can suffer from "digital brain fog."

Inverters are constantly monitoring the grid, adjusting voltage, and communicating with the internet. Sometimes, a sudden grid spike, a brownout, or a Wi-Fi dropout can confuse the software.

The system might show a red light or a strange error code that doesn't make sense. In many cases, the hardware is perfectly fine. The software just needs a fresh start to clear its temporary memory (RAM) and get back to work.

The Standard Reset Procedure: The "Off-and-On" Method

This process is known as a "power cycle." It forces the unit to completely shut down and wake up fresh. Follow this order strictly to avoid damaging the components.

Step 1: Disconnecting the AC Main Breaker

You need to cut the connection to the grid first. This stops the inverter from pushing power into your house.

Go to your main electrical panel (breaker box) or the dedicated AC disconnect switch usually mounted near the inverter. Look for a breaker labeled "Solar Supply," "PV Inverter," or simply "Photovoltaic." Flip this switch to the OFF position.

Step 2: Turning Off the DC Isolator/Solar Input

Now you need to cut the power coming from the roof. Even with the AC off, the sun is still powering the inverter's internal electronics.

Look for a rotary switch (often red and black) located directly on the inverter or in a separate box next to it. It is usually labeled "DC Disconnect" or "PV Switch." Rotate it to OFF or 0.

Step 3: The Waiting Period (Discharging Internal Power)

This is the step most impatient people skip.

You will notice that even after turning everything off, the inverter screen might stay lit for a minute or two. This is because internal components called capacitors are still holding a charge.

You must wait until the screen goes completely black. Once it's dark, wait another 60 seconds just to be safe. This ensures all the "ghost power" is gone and the processor has truly shut down.

Step 4: Sequence for Powering Back Up

Now we reverse the process to wake it up.

1. Turn on the DC Disconnect first. This allows the DC power from the roof to enter the unit and wake up the computer brain. The screen should light up.

2. Turn on the AC Breaker second. This reconnects the unit to the grid.

The inverter will likely flash a "Checking" or "Syncing" message. It typically takes about 60 seconds for it to monitor the grid safety checks before it starts producing power again.

Factory Resets via the Digital Display or Mobile App

If the hard reset didn't clear the error, you might need a "Factory Reset." This is a software command that wipes custom settings.

Warning: This will often erase your Wi-Fi password and grid profile settings. Only do this if you know how to reconfigure the device.

• On the Screen: Navigate to the "Settings" or "Advanced" menu. You may need a passcode (often found in your manual, like '0000' or '1234'). Look for "Factory Reset" or "Restore Defaults."

• On the App: If your inverter is online, open your monitoring app (like Solarman, FusionSolar, or Enphase Enlighten). Go to the device settings and look for a "Restart" or "Reset" command. This sends a signal over the internet to reboot the system remotely.