- EV charging
- EV charger
Charger does not unlock
Iberdrola 'Charger does not unlock' on EV charger: card limit
Risk level
Low
Usually safe to check without specialist tools.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
If an Iberdrola | bp pulse public charger does not unlock or displays 'It is currently not possible to charge with a card', the POS terminal usually declined the €45 contactless pre-authorisation due to your bank's PIN-free limit. Raise that limit, try another card or start via the app.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Avoid tapping a declined card repeatedly at the POS terminal: multiple attempts can create several temporary €45 holds that take 48 to 72 hours (or 1 to 7 days depending on your bank) to release.
- When stopping a DC (CCS) session to free the cable, never pull the vehicle's emergency mechanical release handle while the car is still actively charging, as there is an electrical risk.
Safe checks you can perform
- Check your bank app for the PIN-free contactless transaction limit
- Try another card or start the session first from Iberdrola Public Charging
- Verify that any €20 or €45 pre-authorisation hold releases on schedule
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: POS pre-authorisation audit and transaction release check
- Do not attempt this professional task: 24/7 remote diagnostics on the charger lock and POS terminal
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
POS pre-authorisation audit and transaction release check
What they doIberdrola | bp pulse 24-hour customer service reviews the POS transaction using the last 4 digits of your card, the date and the amount when a €20 or €45 hold stays past 2 to 3 working days.
They must show youthe POS pre-authorisation status and confirmation of whether any kWh were billed or the transaction was voided.
In writingthe transaction reference or invoice showing the last 4 card digits, date, actual amount charged and release of any remaining hold.
24/7 remote diagnostics on the charger lock and POS terminal
What they doIf the charging point still will not unlock or start after checking bank limits, turning the car off with doors closed and reconnecting, 24/7 customer support inspects the station remotely.
They must show youthe live status of the charging point and the result of the remote station check.
In writingthe 24/7 support incident number, the charging point identifier and the action taken on the terminal.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Check your bank app for the PIN-free contactless transaction limit
- Who:
- you, in your mobile banking app before tapping the card again.
- How:
- open the security or card-limit settings for your Visa, Mastercard or Amex card and check whether the PIN-free contactless limit is lower than the €45 pre-authorised by the charger POS.
- Result that matters:
- preventing automatic rejection caused by your bank asking for a PIN on a charger terminal that has no keypad.
- If your banking app lets you raise the PIN-free limit above €45:
- apply the change and tap your card, Apple Pay or Google Pay again.
- If you cannot raise the limit or have made many consecutive contactless payments:
- switch to a different card or start the session from the app.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the POS message and note of the last 4 digits of the card or digital wallet used.
Evidence: Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
Try another card or start the session first from Iberdrola Public Charging
- Who:
- you, at the charging point without forcing the connector or cable.
- How:
- test a different contactless card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, or send the start command first through the Iberdrola Public Charging app, bp pulse app or a compatible RFID card before plugging in the cable.
- Result that matters:
- unlocking the charger through an enabled payment channel while avoiding the PIN-free block on the first card.
- If the session starts via the app, RFID card or alternate bank card:
- connect the cable with the vehicle turned off and all doors closed.
- If the charger still does not unlock or powers off:
- stop tapping the POS terminal so you do not stack multiple €45 pre-authorisation holds.
- Evidence to keep:
- the time of the attempt, the €20 or €45 hold shown in your bank app and the station location.
Evidence: Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
Verify that any €20 or €45 pre-authorisation hold releases on schedule
- Who:
- you, checking your bank statement after a completed or failed attempt.
- How:
- confirm that the temporary hold (such as €45 adjusted to €30 charged and €15 released) clears within 48 to 72 hours, or within 1 to 7 days depending on your bank.
- Result that matters:
- ensuring that declined attempts or sessions interrupted by a charger error are released without being billed.
- If the hold disappears within 2 to 3 working days after an interrupted session (or 3 days after multiple attempts):
- the bank has already cleared the pre-authorisation.
- If more than 3 days pass (or more than 2 to 3 working days after the charger turned off) and the hold remains:
- contact your bank and 24-hour support.
- Evidence to keep:
- exact date and time of the session, station location, held amount and the last 4 digits of your payment card.
Evidence: Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- EV charging
- Brand
- Iberdrola
- Product type
- EV charger
Known code variants
- Actualmente no es posible cargar con tarjeta
- El cargador no se desbloquea Iberdrola
- Iberdrola bp pulse cannot charge with card
- Iberdrola bp pulse no es posible cargar con tarjeta
- Iberdrola contactless payment declined €45 POS
- Iberdrola Public Charging charger does not unlock
- Iberdrola rechazo pago contactless TPV 45 €
- It is currently not possible to charge with a card
- Recarga Pública Iberdrola cargador no se desbloquea
- The charger does not unlock Iberdrola
What it means
In the official Iberdrola | bp pulse public network FAQs (updated 15/10/2026), when the charger does not unlock or shows 'It is currently not possible to charge with a card', the physical POS terminal has declined the contactless transaction. Because the terminal pre-authorises up to €45 in Spain (or €20 depending on country or terminal) and has no keypad to enter a PIN, banks automatically reject cards whose PIN-free limit is below €45 or that have reached the consecutive contactless limit. The message alone never proves that the POS terminal or charger hardware is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumsource verified
Avoid tapping a declined card repeatedly at the POS terminal: multiple attempts can create several temporary €45 holds that take 48 to 72 hours (or 1 to 7 days depending on your bank) to release.
Evidence: Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
- Highsource verified
When stopping a DC (CCS) session to free the cable, never pull the vehicle's emergency mechanical release handle while the car is still actively charging, as there is an electrical risk.
Evidence: Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- Bank contactless PIN-free amount limit set below the €45 pre-authorisationCommon
Iberdrola | bp pulse explains that the charging terminal pre-authorises up to €45 and lacks a PIN pad, so any bank card with a lower PIN-free limit is automatically declined.
Evidence: Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
- Consecutive contactless payment limit reached on the bank cardPossible
If you have made many contactless transactions in a row without entering a PIN, your bank may block further contactless charges until you complete a PIN transaction at another POS.
Evidence: Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
- Session cancelled after plugging in too early or interrupted by a charger errorLess common
Leaving the car plugged in without starting causes automatic session cancellation, and if the charger turns off mid-session a €20 or €45 hold can remain for 1 to 7 days.
Evidence: Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
Virtual technician
Does Charger does not unlock still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
Preguntas frecuentes coche eléctrico Iberdrola | bp pulse
Iberdrola | bp pulse · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Electric vehicle frequently asked questions Iberdrola | bp pulse
Iberdrola | bp pulse · 2026 · official_doc
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