- Solar and energy
- Solar inverter
Err 38
Victron solar charger Err 38: PV input shutdown on overvoltage
Risk level
High
Professional inspection is recommended.
Urgency
High
Quick answer
Error code Err 38 on a Victron SmartSolar or BlueSolar MPPT charger means the unit has internally shorted its PV input to protect the battery bank from overcharging. Check the configured system voltage in VictronConnect and arrange professional recovery if the latch remains active.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not disconnect PV cables or MC4 terminals yourself: certain solar charger models carry PV voltages up to 250 Vdc, and voltages above 50 V must only be handled by a qualified technician.
- Overcharging batteries carries a serious risk of battery explosion, fire, or acid leakage: do not smoke, create sparks, or have open flames in the room where the batteries are located.
Safe checks you can perform
- Check the active error and maximum battery voltage in VictronConnect
- Verify the 'Battery voltage' setting in the VictronConnect app
- Check whether a MultiPlus or external charger is equalising the battery
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Firmware update and charge profile alignment in VictronConnect
- Do not attempt this professional task: Staged PV-first disconnect and battery-first reconnect recovery for Error 38
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.
Firmware update and charge profile alignment in VictronConnect
What they doPrior to other troubleshooting, the technician updates the MPPT solar charger to the latest firmware version and aligns the 'Battery voltage' and equalisation settings across all chargers.
They must show youthe updated firmware version on the Product Info screen and the configured battery voltage parameters in VictronConnect.
In writingthe installed firmware version and the nominal, absorption, float, and equalisation voltages set on each device.
Staged PV-first disconnect and battery-first reconnect recovery for Error 38
What they doUsing proper DC isolation, the technician first disconnects the solar panels, then disconnects the battery, waits for 3 minutes, and then first reconnects the battery and then the panels.
They must show youthe VictronConnect status screen operating normally without Error 38 after reconnecting the battery first and the panels second.
In writingthe DC voltages measured at the battery and PV terminals, the outcome of the 3-minute reset, and whether replacement is needed.
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 the active error and maximum battery voltage in VictronConnect
- Who:
- you, using the VictronConnect app or VRM portal without touching any wiring.
- How:
- open the status screen and the 30-day history tab in VictronConnect to inspect the Err 38 alert and the highest recorded battery voltage.
- Result that matters:
- knowing what battery voltage level triggered the internal PV input shutdown.
- If the app connects and displays Err 38 along with the peak voltage:
- save a screenshot for your installer.
- If none of the LEDs illuminate and Bluetooth is unresponsive:
- do not touch the terminals and contact your technician.
- Evidence to keep:
- screenshots of the VictronConnect Status and History screens showing the date and voltage.
Evidence: MPPT Solar Charger Error Codes · MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
Verify the 'Battery voltage' setting in the VictronConnect app
- Who:
- you, checking the battery settings screen in VictronConnect.
- How:
- open the battery settings page in VictronConnect and verify whether the configured 'Battery voltage' parameter (12/24/36/48 V) matches your connected battery bank.
- Result that matters:
- confirming whether an incorrect nominal voltage setting caused the protection to trip.
- If the nominal setting does not match your battery bank:
- set the correct 'Battery voltage' in VictronConnect per the battery documentation or ask your installer.
- If the 12/24/36/48 V setting is already correct:
- check whether another charging source raised the battery voltage.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of the Battery settings page in the VictronConnect app.
Evidence: MPPT Solar Charger Error Codes · MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
Check whether a MultiPlus or external charger is equalising the battery
- Who:
- you, reading your GX display, VRM portal, or VictronConnect.
- How:
- check whether an inverter/charger or auxiliary charger connected to the same battery is running an equalisation or absorption charge at a higher voltage than configured in the MPPT.
- Result that matters:
- identifying whether an external charger pushed the battery bus above the solar charger limit.
- If another device is configured to a higher voltage such as a 17 V equalisation:
- note it so the installer can align the charge profiles.
- If no external charger raised the voltage or Err 38 stays latched:
- ask your technician to update the firmware and run the recovery disconnect sequence.
- Evidence to keep:
- a screenshot of the inverter/charger voltage settings or VRM battery voltage graph.
Evidence: MPPT Solar Charger Error Codes · MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
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
- Solar and energy
- Brand
- Victron Energy
- Product type
- Solar inverter
Known code variants
- Cierre de la entrada FV
- Err 38 Cierre de la entrada FV
- Err 38 PV Input shutdown
- Error 38
- Error 38 PV Input shutdown
- PV Input shutdown
- Victron MPPT Error 38
What it means
In the Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT manual and official MPPT error code reference, Err 38 ('PV Input shutdown') means the solar charger has internally shorted its photovoltaic input to protect the battery from overcharging. Victron documents two main causes: the 'Battery voltage' parameter (12/24/36/48 V) is set incorrectly in the VictronConnect app, or another device connected to the same battery is configured to a higher voltage (for example, a MultiPlus inverter/charger set to equalise at 17 V while equalisation is not configured in the solar charger). Seeing Err 38 by itself does not prove that the solar charger is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Highsource verified
Do not disconnect PV cables or MC4 terminals yourself: certain solar charger models carry PV voltages up to 250 Vdc, and voltages above 50 V must only be handled by a qualified technician.
Evidence: MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
- Highsource verified
Overcharging batteries carries a serious risk of battery explosion, fire, or acid leakage: do not smoke, create sparks, or have open flames in the room where the batteries are located.
Evidence: MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- 'Battery voltage' parameter (12/24/36/48 V) set incorrectly in VictronConnectCommon
Victron notes that if the nominal 'Battery voltage' setting in VictronConnect does not match the actual system voltage (such as after moving a charger between systems), overvoltage protection triggers.
Evidence: MPPT Solar Charger Error Codes · MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
- Another charger on the battery bank is configured to a higher voltageCommon
The manual cites an inverter/charger such as a MultiPlus configured to equalise at 17 V while equalisation is not configured in the MPPT solar charger.
Evidence: MPPT Solar Charger Error Codes · MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
- Outdated firmware or latched shutdown requiring staged power-downPossible
Victron instructs updating to the latest firmware version prior to any other troubleshooting and notes that Error 38 requires disconnecting solar panels and battery for 3 minutes to clear.
Evidence: MPPT Solar Charger Error Codes · MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
Virtual technician
Does Err 38 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
MPPT Solar Charger Error Codes
Victron Energy · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
MPPT solar charger manual SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 & 150/45 Rev 12 - 06/2026
Victron Energy · 2026 · manual
- 3
Manual del cargador solar MPPT SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 & 100/50 Rev 12 - 06/2026
Victron Energy · 2026 · manual
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