GoodWe Inverter Error Codes and Troubleshooting in Western Australia
Updated 9 September 2026 · By SolarNevs Research Desk, Dealer surveys + verified sources · 2 sources · Method ↗
Key Takeaways
- Many GoodWe inverter errors, particularly those related to grid conditions, are temporary and resolve automatically.
- The 'Vac Failure' (Error 15) is a common occurrence in Perth, often linked to high grid voltage during peak solar generation.
- Safety-critical faults like 'Arc Fault Detected', 'Ground Failure', and 'PE Loss' require immediate professional attention due to potential fire or electrical hazards.
- Always contact an accredited solar installer for persistent errors, safety-related warnings, or any fault you are unsure how to address.
Understanding GoodWe Inverter Error Codes in Western Australia
GoodWe inverters display error codes to indicate operational issues, ranging from temporary grid fluctuations to critical internal faults. This guide focuses on common GoodWe error codes, with particular attention to conditions frequently observed in Western Australia, as documented by local installers. Understanding these codes can help you determine if an issue is temporary, requires a simple check, or needs professional intervention.
Many issues are temporary and your inverter may restart automatically once conditions normalise. However, some faults are safety-critical and should never be ignored.
What is Actually Going On: Common GoodWe Fault Mechanisms
GoodWe inverters are designed to operate within specific electrical parameters and safety limits. When these limits are exceeded, or an internal component malfunctions, the inverter will display an error code and may shut down to protect itself and the grid.
Grid Voltage and Frequency Issues (Vac Failure, Fac Failure)
One of the most common reasons for a GoodWe inverter to report an error in Western Australia, particularly in Perth, is 'Vac Failure' (Error 15). This occurs when the grid voltage is outside the permitted range. As documented by PSW Energy, this is "Most common error code in Perth" and is "Usually caused by high network voltage during peak solar hours (midday to early afternoon)". The grid voltage on the South West Interconnected System (SWIS) network can rise above nominal during periods of high solar export, especially in suburbs with many rooftop PV systems. Your inverter is designed to respond to this; "Under AS 4777.2:2020, your inverter must disconnect when the voltage exceeds the threshold." This is a protective measure to ensure grid stability and prevent damage. Similarly, 'Fac Failure' (Error 03) indicates the grid frequency is outside its permitted range, though this is "Rare in WA".
Safety-Critical Faults (Arc Fault, Ground Fault, PE Loss)
Certain errors indicate a direct safety risk. An 'Arc Fault Detected' error means the inverter's Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) has identified a potential arc in the DC wiring. This is a serious fire risk, and you should "Contact your installer immediately. Do not restart without professional inspection." Similarly, 'Ground Failure' (Error 22) or 'PE Loss' indicate current leakage to earth or a lost protective earth connection, both of which are safety-critical electrical hazards.
Internal and Component Faults
GoodWe inverters also monitor their internal components and environment. Errors like 'Temperature Too High' (Error 18) indicate the inverter's internal temperature has exceeded safe limits. This can lead to the inverter derating its output or shutting down entirely to prevent damage. Other internal communication errors (e.g., 'SPI Failure', 'DSP Communication Fault') or hardware faults (e.g., 'Relay Check Failure', 'Fan Failure') mean the inverter's internal systems are not functioning correctly.
GoodWe Inverter Fault Code Table
The following table summarises common GoodWe inverter error codes, their meanings, and recommended actions, as documented by Australian installer PSW Energy.
Code / Alarm Name | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
Fac Failure (Error 03) | Grid frequency outside the permitted range | Automatic. The inverter restarts within five minutes once frequency normalises. If persistent, contact your installer. |
Vac Failure (Error 15) | Grid voltage outside the permitted range | The inverter restarts automatically when voltage drops. If this appears daily, your installer can request a Western Power network voltage assessment or review the inverter’s volt-watt response settings. |
Isolation Failure (Error 14) | Ground insulation impedance between the PV array and earth is too low | Contact your installer. Possible causes: degraded cable insulation, moisture in a rooftop DC isolator or MC4 connector, or a panel junction box fault. |
Ground Failure (Error 22) | High ground leakage current detected | Contact your installer. Do not ignore. This is a safety-related fault indicating current is leaking to earth through the PV array or wiring insulation. |
GFCI Failure | Ground fault circuit interrupter detection circuit has failed | Contact your installer. The safety monitoring circuit itself has a fault, which means it cannot properly detect earth leakage. The inverter cannot safely operate until this is resolved. |
Utility Loss | Grid disconnection. No mains supply detected | Check your main switchboard circuit breakers. Confirm whether there is an area-wide outage. If the grid is available and this code persists, check that the Solar Supply Main Switch (SSMS) and inverter AC isolator are both turned on. |
PV Over Voltage (Error 17) | DC input voltage from the solar panels exceeds the inverter’s maximum limit | Contact your installer immediately. This should not occur in a correctly designed system. Do not restart without professional inspection. |
PV Input Configuration | PV input voltage or current is outside expected parameters | Turn off the DC switch, disconnect the DC connectors, and check the PV module voltage with a multimeter (licensed electrician only). If the voltage is below 250V, the string configuration may need review. Contact your installer. |
No AC Connection | The inverter cannot detect an AC grid connection | Check that the Solar Supply Main Switch (SSMS) and inverter AC isolator are both turned on. Verify no circuit breakers have tripped. If wiring appears intact and the grid is live, contact your installer to check the AC terminals. |
Temperature Too High (Error 18) | Internal temperature has exceeded the safe operating limit | Check ventilation around the inverter. Clear any debris, spider webs, or vegetation within 300mm of the heatsink fins. Consider installing a shade hood if this occurs regularly. |
PE Loss | Protective Earth connection lost. The inverter has detected a problem with grounding | Contact your installer. This is safety-critical. The system should not operate without a functioning earth. |
DC Injection Too High (Error 12) | The DC component of the AC output current exceeds the permitted level | Switch off both the AC and DC isolators. Wait five minutes, then restart (DC on first, then AC). If the error persists, contact your installer. |
Output Over-Current (Error 17) | AC output current exceeds the inverter’s rated limit | Check that all AC connections are secure. Contact your installer if persistent. |
Arc Fault Detected | The inverter’s AFCI (arc fault circuit interrupter) has detected a potential arc in the DC wiring | Contact your installer immediately. Do not restart without professional inspection. Arc faults in DC wiring are a fire risk. |
Relay Check Failure (Error 01) | The internal relay self-test has failed. The inverter cannot confirm its isolation relay is functioning correctly | Restart. If persistent, the relay may need replacement. Contact your installer. |
SPI Failure (Error 07) | Internal communication failure between the inverter’s processor and control board | Restart. If persistent, the inverter needs service. This is not a user-resolvable fault. |
EEPROM R/W Failure (Error 25) | The inverter’s internal memory chip has failed to read or write data | Restart. If persistent, contact your installer. The control board may need replacement. |
Fan Failure — External (Error 16) | The external cooling fan is not operating | Restart. Check whether the fan is physically obstructed by debris or spider webs. If the fan is clear and the error persists, the fan motor may need replacement. Contact your installer. |
Fan Failure — Internal (Error 20) | The internal cooling fan has failed | Restart. If persistent, the fan needs replacement. Contact your installer. |
Bus Voltage High (Error 21) | The DC bus voltage inside the inverter has exceeded the safe limit | Switch the DC isolator off and on (wait 30 seconds between). Repeat once. If the error persists, contact your installer. |
DSP Communication Fault | Communication failure between the ARM processor and DSP processor inside the inverter | Restart. If persistent, the inverter likely needs a firmware update or hardware service. Contact your installer. |
Internal Communication Error | General internal communication failure | Restart. If persistent, contact your installer. |
Sensor Fault / Temperature Sensor Error | An internal temperature sensor is providing implausible readings | Restart. If persistent, contact your installer. The sensor or associated circuit board may need replacement. |
RSVD Fault | Reserved error code. This is a catch-all for uncommon internal faults not assigned a specific code | Restart. If persistent, contact your installer. This fault typically requires diagnostic software to identify the root cause. |
No Display | The inverter LCD screen is blank despite DC power being available | Turn off the DC switch. Disconnect the DC connector and measure the PV string voltage (licensed electrician only). Reconnect and turn on the DC switch. If the voltage is present but the screen remains blank, the display board or power supply may have failed. Contact your installer. |
Battery BMS Communication Failure | The inverter has lost communication with the battery’s management system | Check that the BMS communication cable between the inverter and battery is securely connected. If the cable is secure, restart the battery. If persistent, contact your installer. |
Battery Voltage Too High | The battery voltage exceeds the inverter’s maximum battery input specification | Contact your installer. This should not occur with a correctly configured compatible battery. The battery type selection in the inverter settings may be incorrect. |
Battery Voltage Too Low | The battery voltage has dropped below the minimum operating threshold | If the battery has been fully discharged or disconnected for an extended period, it may need to be manually restarted. Contact your installer or battery manufacturer. |
Battery SOC Low | Battery state of charge is critically low | The battery will stop discharging when it reaches the minimum SOC threshold. This is protective behaviour. The battery will recharge from solar when generation resumes. If the battery is not recharging despite available solar, check for other active faults. |
Back-up Overload | The load on the backup output exceeds the inverter’s rated backup capacity | Reduce the load on your backup circuit. Turn off high-draw appliances connected to the backup supply. The inverter’s backup output has a lower power rating than its grid-connected output. |
Battery Over-temperature | The battery temperature exceeds the safe operating range | Check ventilation around the battery installation. Ensure nothing is blocking airflow. If the battery is installed in a non-ventilated enclosure or exposed to direct sunlight, the installation may need modification. Contact your installer. |
Battery Under-temperature | The ambient temperature is too low for the battery to operate | Most lithium batteries will not charge or discharge below 0°C to 5°C. The battery will resume operation when it warms up. |
BMS Status: Abnormal | The battery management system is reporting a fault condition | Contact your installer or battery manufacturer. The specific fault will be detailed in the battery’s own monitoring system or app. |
SOC Reset to 95% | The battery state of charge has been automatically reset to 95% | This typically occurs when BMS communication drops out while using lithium batteries. Re-establish BMS communication (check cables) and the SOC will recalibrate over a few charge-discharge cycles. |
Source: PSW Energy, an Australian installer
What You Can Check Yourself, and What You Cannot
As a homeowner, you can perform a few basic checks for certain GoodWe inverter errors:
- Restart the Inverter: For many non-critical faults, a simple restart can clear temporary glitches. Follow the manufacturer's recommended shutdown and startup procedure, typically involving turning off the AC isolator, then the DC isolator, waiting a few minutes, and then turning them back on in reverse order (DC first, then AC).
- Check Isolators and Circuit Breakers: For 'Utility Loss' or 'No AC Connection', verify that your main switchboard circuit breakers, the Solar Supply Main Switch (SSMS), and the inverter's AC isolator are all in the 'ON' position.
- Check for Grid Outages: If 'Utility Loss' persists, check with your electricity distributor (e.g., Western Power in WA) for area-wide outages.
- Clear Obstructions: For 'Temperature Too High' or 'Fan Failure', inspect the inverter's vents and fans for dust, spider webs, or other debris. Ensure there is adequate airflow around the unit.
- Battery Cable Connections: For 'Battery BMS Communication Failure', ensure the communication cable between the inverter and battery is securely connected.
What you cannot do: You should never attempt to open the inverter casing, modify wiring, or adjust grid-protection settings yourself. These actions can be dangerous, void your warranty, and breach your connection agreement with the network distributor. For any persistent error, safety-critical fault, or if you are unsure about the nature of the problem, always contact an accredited solar installer. They have the training and equipment to safely diagnose and repair complex issues.
What the Published Sources Do Not Tell You
While this guide provides comprehensive information based on Australian installer documentation, there are inherent limitations in publicly available information:
- Specific Voltage Limits: The exact voltage trip thresholds for inverters are set according to AS/NZS 4777.2, a paid standard. Public sources do not provide these specific numbers. Your installer or electricity distributor can confirm the configured limits for your system.
- Network Rules Vary: Australia has multiple electricity distribution networks, and their specific rules and voltage management strategies can differ. While this article highlights Western Power's context, other distributors across Australia may have different approaches. Always check with your local distributor, whose name is on your electricity bill, for specific network information.
- Manufacturer's Detailed Manuals: GoodWe's official SEMS Portal manual focuses on monitoring, not detailed fault code explanations or troubleshooting steps for the inverter hardware itself. Comprehensive technical manuals with in-depth diagnostics are typically provided to accredited installers and service technicians.
- Firmware-Specific Behaviour: Inverter behaviour and error codes can sometimes vary slightly between different firmware versions. An installer will have access to the latest firmware and diagnostic tools.
Frequently asked questions
What does Vac Failure (Error 15) mean on a GoodWe inverter?
Vac Failure (Error 15) indicates the grid voltage is outside the permitted range. This is a common error in Perth, often occurring during peak solar hours due to high network voltage. The inverter will restart automatically when the voltage normalises.
What should I do if my GoodWe inverter shows an Arc Fault Detected error?
If your GoodWe inverter displays 'Arc Fault Detected', contact your installer immediately. This error indicates a potential arc in the DC wiring, which is a fire risk. Do not restart the inverter without professional inspection.
Why does my GoodWe inverter shut down on hot days?
If your GoodWe inverter displays 'Temperature Too High' (Error 18), its internal temperature has exceeded the safe operating limit. This is common in Perth on very hot days, especially for inverters in direct sunlight. Check for obstructions around the inverter's ventilation and consider a shade hood if it occurs regularly.
What does PE Loss mean on a GoodWe inverter?
PE Loss means the inverter has detected a problem with its protective earth connection. This is a safety-critical fault. Contact your installer, as the system should not operate without a functioning earth connection.
Can I fix a GoodWe inverter error myself?
Some GoodWe errors, like temporary grid issues or communication faults, may resolve with a simple restart. However, safety-critical faults such as Arc Fault Detected, Ground Failure, PE Loss, or PV Over Voltage require immediate attention from an accredited installer and should not be self-diagnosed or restarted without professional inspection.
References
- PSW Energy: GoodWe Error Codes — accessed 26 August 2026
- GoodWe Technologies Co.,Ltd.: SEMS Portal User Manual — accessed 26 August 2026
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