Electric skateboards are becoming more and more popular as a fun activity and a way of commuting. Like many other electric equipments, electric skateboards are not immune to problems. The most common problems with electric skateboards are that it refuses to turn on. It would be very frustrating if your electric skateboard stopped working and won’t switch on, no matter what you try.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the common situations when an electric skateboard won’t turn on, the possible reasons and how to fix it.
To make things less complicated, this post describes 4 main cases when an electric skateboard won’t turn on.
Why won’t your electric skateboard turn on?
Case 1:
If this describes your situation:
Your electric skateboard can still be charged. The charger indicator flashes a red light during charging, but the power indicator does not light up. If you rotate the motors, the electric skateboard turns on with a beeping sound.
Possible reasons for this:
The light mainboard switch or the battery is defective. To fix this, you need to contact us to replace these parts.
Case 2:
If this describes your situation:
Your electric skateboard can still be charged. The charger indicator flashes a red light during charging, but the power indicator does not light up. If you rotate the motors, the electric skateboard won’t turn on, and there is no beeping sound.
Possible reasons for this:
The mainboard is broken due to water damage. To solve this, you need to get the mainboard replaced.
Case 3:
If this describes your situation:
The power indicator does not light up. Plug in the charger can turn on the skateboard. The remote control can control the motor normally. If you unplug the charger, the skateboard won’t turn on.
Possible reasons for this:
This indicates that the battery is not working, so the power can only be supplied directly by the power supply. If you haven’t used the electric skateboard for a long time, the battery will be broken due to over-discharging. It could also be that the electric skateboard was ridden on rocky roads too often, and the battery was broken due to excessive vibration. In both cases, you need to get in touch with us to replace the battery.
Case 4:
If this describes your situation:
If you plug in the charger to the electric skateboard and rotate the motors, the skateboard still won’t turn on. The charger indicator shows alternating red and green lights.
Possible reasons for this:
If you haven’t charged the electric skateboard for a long time, or the electric skateboard has been kept at low power for a long time, the battery will have problems due to over-discharging. To solve this problem, please follow the steps below:
- Charge the skateboard for 3-4 consecutive hours. The charge indicator turns from showing both red and green lights to only red light, indicating that the battery is activated. Keep charging the skateboard until the charger indicator turns green.
- If, after charging for 3-4 consecutive hours, the battery is still not activated, it means that the battery is broken and needs to be replaced.
More Questions?
These are only the 4 common cases if your electric skateboard won’t turn on. If you find that none of the cases describes your situation, you can send us a video following the steps below:
- Show us if there’s a beeping sound while connecting the board with power, then show us both the indicator of the charger and the skateboard,
- Rotate both the motors manually while connecting the board with power, show us if there’s a beeping sound,
- Disconnect the battery off the skateboard, charge the battery only, show us the indicator of the charger,
- Use 60V-200V range voltmeter to test the DCV of the fully charged battery, show us the voltage, please disconnect the power while you test the voltage.
how to find and fix all of your electric skateboard problems
Like all other electronic devices, you will run into technical electric skateboard problems sooner or later. There are quite a few issues that you might run into.
And if you don’t take the right approach, then you will end up making the situation worse.
That’s why we have created this electric skateboard troubleshooting guide for you. In this guide, we will look into the common electric skateboard issues and show you exactly how to fix them.
Therefore, make sure to follow every step from start to finish if you don’t want to visit a professional to fix your electric skateboard.
Issue 1 – Skateboard not Turning on
This is one of the most common problems that electric skateboard owners face.
There are times when your electric skateboard won’t turn on, you’ve used it fine last time, but now it just isn’t responding. 9 out of 10 times, the reason behind this issue is a problematic battery.
Here are the steps that you can take to solve this problem –
Step 1 – Check the Batteries
If your board isn’t turning on, flip it and take a look at the batteries of your board. Are they properly connected with the rest of the circuit?
Check the voltage of both batteries. If they are connected, then they would show the same voltage on both of them.
Chances are one of their voltages will be lower compared to the other. If that is the case, then you should charge the device for 30 to 45 minutes and try again.
The skateboard should respond, at least.
On the other hand, if you can’t seem to read any voltage from the batteries, then they are probably dead, and or something is preventing them from receiving power.
Step 2 – Plugging Up the Wires
Sometimes if there is no electricity running through the battery, then it may be due to some disconnected wires. Check all the wires in the circuit, especially the ones that are coming straight from the wheels.
There have been many cases where these wires came off due to the stress of the ride or as a result of rough cleaning.
That’s why we suggest that you plug out and then plug in all the wires again and see if the board responds or not.
During this period, also look into if there are any damaged wires in the mix or not.
If they are damaged, then changing them will fix your electric skateboard instantly.
But be careful, don’t end up damaging the wires if you don’t know how to change one.
Step 3 – Check the Charger
Maybe it is not the battery that is the problem, but the power supply is. Make sure that your charger is functioning properly.
Also, if you have started to use a new charger or a set of new wheels on your electric skateboard, then remove them. Put on the new parts to see if there is any development in the situation or not.
If you find that the electric skateboard is responding, then you need to reconsider those latest add-ons.
Step 4 – Battery Replacement
If you have followed steps 1 to 3 and there is still no response from your board, then you can be assured of the fact that your batteries have died and you will have to replace them.
Find out the battery model; every brand and model of electric skateboard have different type of batteries, so you can’t just go ahead and pick up one.
Visit the manufacturer’s website and find out the name & model of your skateboard’s battery. If you have a warranty, then you should go ahead and claim it if this happens.
Issue 2 – Skateboard Won’t Charge
When this happens, there are two possible issues. The first one is fairly easy to guess, the charger is damaged and needs to be replaced.
But the second one is a bit complicated because not charging is a sign of the circuit board taking water damage.
If the skateboard has gone through water in recent rides, then you might have this problem.
Here is what you can do to fix the issue –
Step 1 – Turning off the Skateboard and Clean the Insides
First, open up the circuit and battery area of the board and make sure that there is no sign of water whatsoever.
Take a clean, dry cloth and thoroughly clean the circuit board.
Make sure to take your time and be cautious because you don’t want to break or damage any of the parts inside.
Step 2 – Charge the Battery
Once the board is cleaned, connect the board to the power supply unit. Ensure that the power input is stable and functioning properly.
Now hold the battery button and turn the skateboard on and off for a minute or so.
The battery should end up showing signs of charging; if not, then change the charger and try again.
If the result is still negative, then you will have no other option but to seek professional help.
Issue 3 – Slow and Delayed Acceleration
If your electric skateboard isn’t responding optimally and has delayed acceleration, then this might be an indication that the parts are damaged, or some of the wires have come loose.
You can do the following to get rid of this issue –
Step 1 – Look for Damaged or Loosed Wires
Slow acceleration may be caused because the electric response was slow due to the wires being loosely connected or damaged.
If that is the case, then just reconnecting them firmly or replacing the damaged ones will get rid of the problem.
Step 2 – Check and Replace Components If Necessary
Overheating can damage the components surrounding the motor and the circuit board. Sometimes, these components will keep functioning but would’ve lost most of their prowess which can be the reason for getting delayed acceleration.
If you find any burned or partially damaged components inside of your skateboard, then replace them instantly and see if there is any change in the acceleration situation.
Issue 4 – Skateboard Goes to Only One Direction
This is an annoying issue where you will find your skateboard going one way.
This can indicate that there is a problem with the electric skateboard’s remote or the wires connecting the wheels are faulty, or the motor fuses have stopped functioning.
Here are the steps that you can take to solve this issue –
Step 1 – Check Out the Remote Control
Maybe your wireless controller has lost its edge. Check to see if all the command functions are working or not.
You might have to change the battery of the remote controller. The input sender can also be damaged.
Most electric skateboards come with a spare remote control. Connect that one instead of the one you have been using and see if the issue gets solved or not.
If you had a faulty remote, then this would fix the problem. Sometimes frequency interference can also be the reason for this.
Step 2 – Look into the Wheel Wires
If the remote isn’t the root of the problem, then look into the wires connecting the wheels to the board.
It is because they are damaged or loose then they won’t receive the instructions provided by you through the controller.
If the wires on the wheels are working fine, then it’s time to check the fuses on the motor of your electric skateboard. Check whether or not it is burned.
If that is the case, then there is no other option but to change the component.
Issue 5 – Improper Speed Wobbling
Almost every electric skater faces these issues once in their skateboard journey. This can lead to control difficulty on the board and, in extreme cases, lead to accidents.
Therefore, you should know how to fix this issue no matter what.
Here is what you should do if you encounter speed wobbling with your electric skateboard –
Step 1 – Tighten Loosen Trucks
Wobbling mainly occurs due to loosening trucks, so before you go out to ride your electric skateboard, make sure that they are tightly connected.
Also, ensure that the trucks and wheels are aligned with each other.
Sometimes, making the trucks too tight can lead to riding difficulties. So, make sure not to tighten the trucks way too hard.
Step 2 – Swap the Wheels
If tightening the trucks didn’t lead to any changes, then you might have to change the wheels. Check the new wheels for their size and shape before you swap them.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it; the mentioned issues are the most common problems that an electric skateboard owner faces.
You might run into some other issues like hearing loud breaking noise or thump-like sound when you are riding the board.
These are common problems that are mainly generated when something is stuck on the board. So, they aren’t that important.
Nevertheless, follow this electric skateboard troubleshooting guide whenever you see the first signs of the mentioned issues and treat them accordingly.