How to Reset Your Solar Inverter

A solar inverter reset is the first thing to try when your system throws an error code, stops exporting, or behaves strangely. It clears temporary faults and forces the inverter to reconnect to both your panels and the grid.

Most resets take less than five minutes and do not require any tools. This guide covers the general process that applies to nearly all residential inverters, along with brand-specific steps for the most common units we see on the Mid North Coast.

When You Should Reset Your Inverter

Not every problem calls for a reset. But if you are seeing any of the following, a reset is a sensible starting point.

• A red or orange fault light on the inverter display
• An error code on the screen (grid fault, isolation fault, or arc fault)
• The inverter display shows 0 W output during daylight hours
• Your monitoring app shows the system is offline
• The inverter restarted on its own after a power outage and has not reconnected
• Generation has dropped sharply without any change in weather

Good to know: Brief grid outages and voltage fluctuations are common on the Mid North Coast, especially during storm season. Your inverter is designed to disconnect during these events for safety. A reset after the grid stabilises usually gets things running again.

General Reset Steps (All Brands)

This process works for most residential string and hybrid inverters. If your brand has specific steps, check the next section as well.

1. Turn off the AC isolator. This is the switch on your switchboard labelled “Solar” or “Inverter”. Flip it to the OFF position.
2. Turn off the DC isolator. This is typically a rotary switch on or near the inverter itself, or on the roof next to your panels. Turn it to OFF.
3. Wait 60 seconds. This allows the inverter’s internal capacitors to discharge fully. Skipping this step can prevent the reset from clearing the fault.
4. Turn the DC isolator back ON first. The inverter needs DC power from the panels before it reconnects to the grid.
5. Turn the AC isolator back ON. The inverter should begin its startup sequence.
6. Watch the display. Most inverters take 30 seconds to 3 minutes to complete their grid compliance checks and begin exporting. You should see the fault light clear and generation numbers appear.

Important: Always turn DC on before AC during startup. Reversing the order can trigger a grid fault on some inverter models, which defeats the purpose of the reset.

Brand-Specific Reset Instructions

The general steps above cover most situations, but some brands have additional reset options or slightly different procedures.

Fronius

• Fronius inverters have a physical power switch on the bottom right of the unit. Turn it OFF, wait 60 seconds, then back ON.
• If the fault persists, log into Fronius Solar.web and check the event log for the specific error code.
• Fronius State 241 (grid frequency too high) and State 306 (isolation fault) are the most common codes we see. A reset clears 241 in most cases. State 306 may indicate a wiring issue and needs investigation.

GoodWe

• GoodWe inverters can be reset using the DC and AC isolators as described above.
• For a factory reset, press and hold the button on the front panel for 10 seconds. This clears WiFi settings and fault history, so only use it if a standard reset did not work.
• Check the SEMS monitoring portal for stored error codes before resetting, as the reset clears them from the display.

Sungrow

• Sungrow residential inverters follow the standard DC-then-AC restart procedure.
• If the unit shows a “Forced Shutdown” message, check that your export limit settings in iSolarCloud have not been misconfigured.
• Persistent earth fault codes on Sungrow units can sometimes be cleared by disconnecting each DC string individually and reconnecting them one at a time.

Enphase Microinverters

• Enphase microinverters sit behind each panel, so you cannot access a reset button directly.
• To reset, turn off the AC breaker for the Enphase system, wait 60 seconds, then turn it back on.
• If individual microinverters are not reporting in Enlighten, the issue is usually communication rather than the inverter itself. Check that the Envoy gateway has power and network connectivity.

What to Check After a Reset

A successful reset should have your system generating within a few minutes. Run through this checklist to confirm everything is back to normal.

• Display reads normally: Power output in watts, no error codes, and the grid indicator shows “connected”.
• Generation matches conditions: On a clear midday, a 6.6 kW system should show 4 to 6 kW depending on temperature and panel angle.
• Monitoring reconnects: Your inverter app (Solar.web, SEMS, Enlighten, or iSolarCloud) should show the system online and reporting data.
• Export meter is running: If you have a separate export meter, check that it is ticking over during peak generation.

How Often Should You Reset Your Inverter?

A well-functioning inverter should not need regular resets. If you find yourself resetting more than once a month, something else is going on.

• Once after a storm or outage: Completely normal. The inverter disconnected for safety and needs a nudge to reconnect.
• Once every few months: Could be a firmware issue or intermittent grid instability. Worth monitoring.
• Weekly or more: Points to a hardware fault, wiring problem, or grid compliance issue. Get it looked at before the problem escalates.

When a Reset Will Not Fix the Problem

Some faults need more than a restart. Do not keep resetting if you see any of these.

1. Burn marks or melted plastic around the DC terminals or inside the inverter housing.
2. Buzzing or clicking sounds that were not there before.
3. The same error code returns within minutes of every reset.
4. Isolation fault codes that persist in dry weather. These can indicate damaged cable insulation or water ingress.
5. The inverter is more than 12 years old and faults are becoming frequent. It may be more cost-effective to replace than repair.

Can a Reset Damage Your Inverter?

No. A proper reset following the DC-then-AC sequence is a standard maintenance procedure that every inverter is designed to handle. Manufacturers build their startup routines around exactly this process.

The only risk comes from doing it wrong. Turning AC on before DC can cause a grid fault. Flipping switches rapidly without waiting for the capacitors to discharge can prevent the reset from clearing the fault. Follow the steps above and give the unit a full 60 seconds of rest between power-off and power-on.

SolaXs has 25+ years of experience with residential solar across the Mid North Coast. If your inverter keeps dropping out and a reset is not holding, our electricians can diagnose the fault, check your wiring, and recommend a repair or replacement that gets your system back online properly.

Contact SolaXs to book a service call or get a quote on an inverter upgrade.

When a Reset Is Not Enough

A reset fixes temporary glitches, but some problems run deeper. If the same error keeps coming back after resetting, something else is going on.

• Recurring fault codes: If the same error code appears within 24 hours of resetting, the inverter may have a hardware fault. Write down the code and contact your installer.
• No power output after reset: Check that the DC isolator on the roof is turned on. If it tripped during a storm, the inverter will not produce power regardless of how many times you reset it.
• Grinding or buzzing noises: Inverters should be nearly silent. Unusual sounds after a reset suggest a failing fan or loose internal component.
• Burn marks or smell: Turn off the inverter immediately at the AC and DC isolators. Do not attempt another reset. Call a CEC-accredited electrician.

Mid North Coast homeowners can contact SolaXs for a free diagnostic assessment. With 25 years of experience, we can identify whether the issue is a simple fix or a warranty claim.

For more information, see the Clean Energy Council solar inverter buyers guide and the Australian Government Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.