Electric Scooter Troubleshooting and Solutions: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Fix An Electric Scooter

You’re riding on your electric scooter, and all of a sudden, it stops moving!

We all know that when our electric scooters break down it can be a major pain in the butt. And if you don’t understand how they work, then this situation will leave you feeling helpless and hopeless.

Never fear, help is on the way! In this article we will show you how to troubleshoot and fix an electric scooter, so that when push comes to shove, you aren’t left out in the rain.

This article has been revised and updated for 2022!

Table of Contents

• Scooter Losing Power
• Kill Switch on
• Blown or Flipped Fuse
• Engine is Too Hot
• Scooter Won’t Accelerate
• Scooter Won’t Charge
• How do I reset my scooter?
• How do I test the throttle on my scooter?
• Why Does my Scooter randomly turn off?
• Battery Troubleshooting
• How to Repair Your Scooter
• Preventative Maintenance
• Motor Troubleshooting

How to fix an electric scooter?

As we mentioned earlier, if you can troubleshoot E-scooter problems on your own, getting them fixed is much easier. Above all else, you should know about electric scooter error codes. These codes will help you to diagnose existing faults more quickly.

So let’s see some of the common issues that you might face with the ride and how you can fix it as fast as possible.

Electric Scooter Troubleshooting

Why My Electric Scooter is Not Working Properly

There are many reasons why your scooter might not be working correctly. Let’s go through some of the most common problems now.

Problem 1: Electric scooter losing Power

The first thing you should do is check the battery. If it’s not been used for a while, it might need charging. Even if you’ve just ridden it, the battery may not be sufficiently charged. This is one of the most common problems we hear about, so it’s always worth checking first.

Interestingly, when the scooter’s battery is low, it will switch on, but the motor will not run. On the other hand, when the battery is empty, it won’t even switch on. So, if you’re not getting any power at all, most likely the battery is empty. The solution to that problem is to recharge it. It is as simple as that.

If the battery is fully depleted, it may take a lot longer to charge than you’re used to. Be sure to give it time and let it charge completely.

You can check the charging status of the battery using a voltmeter to see if your batteries are charging or not. For some reason, if the battery isn’t charging, then you need to get it replaced. You can go to an authorized seller or a trusted shop to get the battery changed suggested by the scooter’s manufacturer. 

Problem 2: Kill Switch On

Many people believe that their scooter isn’t working because of battery problems, when in reality, the kill switch might be the issue.

The kill switch is a small switch located on the handlebars that, when engaged, cuts off the flow of electricity to the motor. This is a safety feature that prevents the scooter from being accidentally turned on, but it also means that if the kill switch is accidentally left on, the scooter won’t work. So, if your scooter suddenly stops working, check to see if the kill switch is engaged. It’s a simple mistake to make, but it can be easily fixed.

Problem 3: Blown or Flipped Fuse

Have you ever flipped a switch and been greeted by a sudden blast of sparks? If so, then you’ve experienced a blown fuse. If you haven’t, you may still have a blown fuse without knowing it.

Fuses are designed to “blow” or break when too much electricity flows through them. This protects the wire from overheating and catching fire. However, it also means that your scooter is suddenly dead in the water.

If you find yourself with a blown fuse, don’t panic! There are a few easy steps you can follow to replace it.

First, locate the fuse box. This is usually located near the battery. Once you’ve found it, open the box and identify the blown fuse. Once you’ve found the blown fuse, remove it and replace it with a new one of the same size and rating. Make sure to check that the new fuse is securely in place before replacing the cover on the fuse box. With any luck, your scooter will be up and running in no time!

Problem 4: Engine is Too Hot

Electric scooters are a great way to get around. They’re easy to use, and they’re much quieter than gas-powered alternatives.

However, one downside of electric scooters is that they can overheat. If the engine gets too hot, it can cause the scooter to lose power or even shut down completely.

There are a few things you can do to keep your ride cool. First, make sure to keep the engine clean and free of debris. Second, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat sources. And finally, be sure to keep an eye on the temperature gauge and stop riding if the engine starts to get too hot. By following these simple tips, you can help ensure that your electric scooter will stay cool and running smoothly.

Problem 5: Electric scooter won’t accelerate

Is your scooter moving slower than usual? Is it refusing to go as fast as it once did?

There are a few issues that can cause this. First you should check your battery and tires, and ensure they are in good shape. If they are, then you may have a more serious problem.

Controller Issues

If the electrical controller is not working properly, it can cause the battery to drain more quickly, resulting in a slower scooter. Likewise, if the fuse is not functioning properly, it can also lead to a slower scooter. In either case, it is important to get the problem fixed as soon as possible to avoid further issues.

If your controller gets wet or dirty, it might be too difficult for you to replace on your own. This is a situation where you might want to contact a mechanic and ask for their help. A mechanic can replace your controller quite easily.

Brake Lever

The brake lever is how you stop your scooter. If the brake lever is not working, then your scooter will refuse to move. This is a safety feature to prevent you from using the scooter with non-functional brakes.

Check your brake lever and ensure that it is disengaged. If it is disengaged and yet the wheels are still locked up, contact a mechanic.

Speed control

Similar to cruise control on vehicles, there is something called speed control on a scooter that keeps the speed within a predefined range. This keeps you from going too fast.

Your speed control can also break down and cause a problem for you. To find the issue and solve it you need to do the following:

• Turn on the scooter
• Check the speed control range.
• If it goes over the range, then check for issues in the circuits, wiring, or fuses.
• If you find a problem, dismantle it and repair it (Check with a mechanic if you’re not confident in what to do)
• Reassemble it again and test to see whether the issue is fixed or not.

Problem 6: Mobility Scooter Charging Troubleshooting

Why can’t I plug my charger into my scooter?

This can happen if your port is too dusty. If you haven’t cleaned the charger port in a while, try that first. It’s a good idea to clean your scooter thoroughly every month or two, depending on how often you use it.

Why is My Electric Scooter Not Charging?

If your scooter isn’t charging, the first thing you should check is if the battery is completely dead. If it is, then you’ll need to buy a new one. You can check the voltage of your battery with a multimeter, it should be between 22 and 26 volts.

If the battery isn’t completely dead, then try the following:

• Check if the charger is plugged in correctly.
• If it’s not, plug it in and try again.
• If the charger is plugged in correctly, check to see if there are any loose wires. If there are, then tighten them up and try charging again.
• If that doesn’t work, then there might be an issue with the charger itself. Try using a different charger and see if that works.
• Finally, if none of the above works, then there might be an issue with the scooter. In this case, you’ll need to take it to a mechanic to have it checked out.

Here’s a tip on charging your scooter: charge it as often as possible. For the sake of your batteries, you don’t want your batteries to get too close to empty. Try to keep them “topped up” and in the green as much as possible. Feel free to charge them overnight, it won’t do them any harm.

Here’s a resource you may find helpful:

Problem 7: How Do I Reset My Electric Scooter?

If your scooter shuts off at random or loses power during use, resetting the scooter will often solve the problem.

This also works when the power switch does not light up. Most Scooters come with a reset button that makes restarting your scooter easy. For instance, the Phaewo electric scooter reset button and the Gotrax scooter reset button work the same way.

On most scooters, the reset button is placed to the left of the battery box. Here is how to reset your electric scooter:

1. Make sure your electric scooter is on a level, flat surface.
2. Turn off the scooter and wait for about 5 minutes.
3. Press the ‘reset’ button to switch it on again.
4. The power switch should light up, and it should be fully functional again.

Scooters often shut off if they are overloaded or stressed. If this happens to you, you may need to lighten your load or use your scooter when the weather is better.

Problem 8: How Do I Test The Throttle On My Electric Scooter?

You’ve tested the battery, and it works fine. You’ve also ensured that it is fully charged. But your scooter still won’t move. It will turn on, but when you try the throttle, it just sits there.

If this is your experience, then your electric scooter throttle is likely not working. You’ll need to test it to know if your throttle needs replacing or not.

There are many types of throttles. Below are instructions on how you can test a generic electric scooter throttle. Whether you have a Gotrax scooter or any other ride, these same steps should help you to figure out if you have an issue with your throttle.

1. Find an open and isolated place to test the throttle of your scooter.
2. Place your scooter on smooth and even ground.
3. Ensure that the batteries are fully charged.
4. The throttle will have three wires: black, red, and blue or green. To understand if there is any problem with the throttle, twist the throttle. If you have a problem with the throttle, the speed display and lights will not show up. The connection between the controller and the throttle could be faulty as well.
5. Turn off your scooter, and remove the fuse. Lift the back wheels off the ground.
6. Connect a positive multimeter lead to the red wire of the throttle, and connect the negative multimeter lead to the black wire. 
7. Replace the fuse and switch on the electric scooter.
8. To start the motor, turn or twist the throttle. If the motor does not turn on, there is some kind of additional issue: perhaps with the batteries, connection to the control, or the ignition key. On the other hand, if the motor runs without trouble, it indicates a problem with the throttle.
9. The voltmeter will read anything between 0 to 3+ volts. If you see the number is lower than this, there is a problem with the throttle.
10. Now, remove the wires and switch the engine off.

If you find a problem with the throttle, then you likely need to purchase a new throttle and replace it or take it to a qualified mechanic.

Problem 9: Why Does My Electric Scooter Keep Turning Off?

Sometimes electric scooters randomly turn off, and you may have no idea why. This is one of the most common issues we see when it comes to electric scooters. Let’s go over some of the most common reasons why your electric scooter might be randomly shutting down.

The Battery Problem

If your scooter randomly turns off, you may notice that the gauge of the battery has suddenly dropped to zero. There are two reasons why this might happen: either your battery is dead and needs recharging, or your scooter has an electrical problem.

To see how much juice your battery has, you can use a multimeter or voltmeter. If the battery dies shortly after recharging it, then it’s time to replace it. This means that your battery is simply worn out.

If you test your battery and find that it is okay, you might have a connection issue. If that’s the case, you can try cleaning the battery terminals and connectors, and disconnecting and reconnecting them. That can sometimes fix this issue. Consult your manual for details on how to do this.

If your battery is okay and you’ve checked the connections, then you have a more serious electrical issue. In that case, you can contact the manufacturer and check if they will fix it on the warranty, or you can take it to a qualified mechanic.

Loose Connection

If your scooter commonly loses power while riding—particularly on bumpy terrain—then you may have a connection issue. The wires connected to the batteries may be corroded or loose. If that is the case, try cleaning and reconnecting the battery wires.

Faulty Motor

You could also have a faulty motor. This issue isn’t common, but it does happen, and it would cause your scooter to shut off randomly.

What causes a faulty motor? Usually, it’s caused by water. Most scooters are well protected from water, but if your scooter gets too wet it can ruin the motor.

And if that’s the case, then you should take your scooter to a mechanic. Your motor will likely need to be disassembled and cleaned, and even then you might end up having to replace the motor.

Faulty Switch

If none of the above is broken, then the last thing that you can check is the switch. 

A faulty switch can cause your scooter to randomly shut down. If you experience a sudden stop or speed change while using the scooter, then the switch may be the culprit. Your scooter may even suddenly switch to reverse.

Similar to motor issues switch issues should probably be fixed by a mechanic. There could be dirt, water, or lubricant in your switch, and cleaning it may fix the problem. Or you may need to replace it. Whatever you do, don’t lubricate or clean your switch with water: this could break it permanently.

Problem 10: Scooter Battery Troubleshooting

Help! My Scooter Battery Won’t Charge!

Batteries can be finicky, and they don’t always want to charge when we tell them to. If you’re having trouble with your battery, see the below tips.

• Have you charged your battery in the last six months? If not, you may need to replace it.
• Try plugging your scooter in for at least 9 hours without touching it. This can sometimes fix a problematic battery.
• If your battery still isn’t charging, try plugging it into a different scooter, or using an external battery charger.
• If none of the above works, then replace your battery with a new one.

Why won’t my scooter run for long? 

This can happen if your battery is getting old, or if you haven’t used your scooter in a while. If your scooter slows and stops every 10 or 20 minutes, then it’s probably time to replace your battery.

Flat tires can also cause your scooter to work too hard: make sure your tires are properly aired up before any ride, and that will help ensure that your battery and scooter last for a long time.

Problem 11: Repairing Your E-Scooter

Where Can I Repair My Electric Scooter?

It is common to do simple repairs to your scooter. However, if you end up with a major problem, what do you do? Additionally, which things can you repair and when do you need help?

There are many ways to fix your scooter and many things you can do yourself. Below we’ve listed some of the most common issues that consumers can often do on their own, vs. things that should generally be left to professionals.

1. Repair Your Scooter on Your Own 

Can you repair everything on your scooter by yourself? Unless you’re a mechanic, probably not. Most people have a few things they are comfortable maintaining and repairing, and other things that they would prefer to entrust to a professional.

For instance, here are a few things that most people can do with little to no training:

• Changing tires
• Tightening loose parts
• Adjusting the brakes
• Fixing flat tires
• Replacing the battery

Before you attempt any of these, it’s a good idea to consult the manual for your scooter.

2. Repair Directly from Manufacturer 

Your scooter may still be under warranty. Read your manual to figure that out. If it is, then you might be able to get your scooter serviced or repaired for FREE! What could be better than that? So it’s a good idea to check on that warranty when you need a repair.

3. Send Your Electric Scooter Back to Distributor

If your scooter is still relatively new and you’re experiencing problems, it might need to be sent back to the distributor for repairs. The same goes for if you purchased your scooter used: the company that sold it to you may be able to help with repairs. It’s definitely worth a call or email.

4. Repairing Workshop 

Workshops are a good way to learn how to fix your scooter on your own. If you’d like to learn how to fix your scooter, but aren’t sure how to do so, it’s a good idea to look for scooter repair workshops in your area. You can search online for these sorts of workshops near you.

5. Take it to a Mechanic

Last but not least, if all else fails, take it to a mechanic. You can either find an independent electric scooter mechanic in your area, or take it to a shop that specializes in gas-powered scooters. Many mechanics are comfortable working on both gas and electric scooters, but if they’re not, they can at least point you in the right direction.

Read more: Ultra Lightweight Folding Mobility Scooter Review

12. How Do You Do Preventative Maintenance on Your Scooter?

If you don't want your electric scooter to break down, you need to maintain it regularly. There are many ways to keep your scooter out of the shop, here's a short list of things you should check routinely.

Inspect your scooter: You don't need to be too meticulous here, Just make sure the important parts are all working properly. Pay close attention to the steering, brakes, wheels, throttle, and ensure that they are all working properly.

Tighten loose screws: Your scooter has many parts, and they are all fastened together with bolts and screws. These bolts and screws come loose from time to time. So make sure to check them and tighten them up from time to time. If they come loose often, you might want to apply some thread-locking adhesive.

Tires: All tires have a recommended tire pressure (PSI), and you should ensure that your tires are inflated to that pressure most of the time. This will give you a smoother ride, reduce wear and tear on your scooter, and give you the best battery life.

Brakes: Make sure your brake pads are in good shape. And every time you use your scooter, ensure the brakes work before you start to move too fast. This is a good practice no matter what type of vehicle you are driving (even airline pilots do it!)

Battery: Let the battery unit charge entirely before use. Certain types of batteries can be harmed by intermittent charging, so it's usually best practice to charge it fully before you go for a ride. Also routinely ensure that all the wires going to-and-from your battery are clean and well-connected.

Problem 13: Motor Troubleshooting

Why isn't my scooter motor working?

Several things can cause your motor not to run. It could be a fuse or circuit breaker, battery, BMS, wiring, etc. But no worries, we'll walk you through how to troubleshoot and fix your motor problem.

First of all: Check the Fuse

If your motor has stopped working, first you should check the fuse, and see whether it is burned. If you find it burned, then remove and replace a new one. If the fuse is okay, then the problem may be with the wiring.

Scrutinize the Motor and Connections

If the fuse is okay, next you should check the wiring. You could have a wire loose or corroded, so look at all the wiring on your scooter carefully. If a wire is disconnected you can reconnect it. If it is burned or corroded, you may need to replace it.

Test out the Battery

We've talked about the battery a lot, and we'll mention it again here. Ensure your battery is charged and functional, as we discussed above.

BMS Malfunction

BMS is the amplification of Battery Management Systems that acts to keep a balance between the dead cells of a battery. But if the BMS goes dead, then you need to replace it. You may be able to do this yourself, or you can contact a professional.

Final Words

So, that’s our electric scooter repair guide. Hopefully, you learned a lot, and now feel more equipped to take care of your electric scooter. If you have any questions, feel free to add them below, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.