GoodWe Inverter Not Working? Fix It With This Checklist

A GoodWe inverter that has stopped working is stressful, but most of the time the cause is simple, and the inverter itself is telling you what is wrong. GoodWe units report their status through LED indicators on the front panel and, on many models, a fault message on the built-in screen. Work through the checks below in order and you will either fix it or know exactly what to tell your installer.

Quick Answer

When a GoodWe inverter is “not working,” it is usually waiting on the grid, waiting on sunlight, or showing a fault code you can read on the display. Start with the LEDs: a red fault LED plus a message on the screen points to a specific fault, while a completely dark inverter usually means no AC or DC power is reaching it at all. First confirm the DC switch is ON, the solar AC breaker has not tripped, and the grid is actually up. If the inverter is producing power but your app shows no data, that is a WiFi problem, not a production problem.

GoodWe Inverter Not Working Checklist

1. Read the LEDs and the display first

GoodWe’s official manuals describe three indicator groups on most residential models. The Power LED is on when the inverter is feeding power and off when it is not feeding power at the moment. The Fault LED is on when a fault has occurred and off when there is no fault. The WiFi indicator is on when connected and active, blinks once while resetting, blinks twice when it cannot reach the router, blinks four times when there is a server-side problem, and is off when WiFi is not active. Note the exact combination before touching anything.

2. Nothing at all: no lights, no screen

A completely dead inverter almost always means it has no power supply, not that the electronics have failed. Check that the DC isolator switch on or beside the inverter is in the ON position, and check the dedicated solar breaker in your distribution board — only touch breakers you are certain belong to the solar system. If the whole house has power, the breaker is on, the DC switch is on, and the unit is still dark in daylight, stop there and call your installer. Diagnosing a dead inverter needs a qualified electrician with a meter, not guesswork.

3. Red fault LED: note the exact message

When the red fault LED lights, the display usually names the fault. Common GoodWe messages include Utility Loss (the grid is down or out of range), Vac Fail (AC voltage outside specification), Fac Fail (grid frequency out of range — the inverter restarts itself automatically once frequency normalizes), Isolation Fail (a possible insulation problem in the PV wiring), and Ground I Fail. Note the exact wording. Transient grid faults often clear on their own; persistent isolation or ground faults need a professional.

4. LEDs on, but no production during the day

If the unit has power but is not feeding energy while the sun is shining, check the grid first. A grid outage, a tripped main breaker, or the utility working on your street will keep the inverter in standby — anti-islanding rules require it to disconnect whenever the grid is gone. Also confirm there is real light on the panels: heavy storm cloud, new shade from a grown tree, or an array covered in dust can drop output to near zero. The SEMS portal or app can confirm whether the inverter sees grid voltage.

5. Producing power, but the app shows nothing

This is a communications issue, not an inverter failure. Check the WiFi blink pattern: two blinks means the inverter cannot reach your router, so check the router, confirm the WiFi password has not changed, and check signal strength at the inverter’s location. Four blinks means a server-side problem on GoodWe’s end, which you cannot fix from home. Your panels keep producing regardless — you are only missing remote monitoring, not energy.

6. Look for new shading or panel problems

If output faded gradually rather than stopped suddenly, inspect the array from the ground — never climb on the roof — for new shade, heavy soiling, or debris. One badly shaded panel can drag down a whole string on systems without optimizers. Hose-cleaning from the ground is fine; anything needing roof access belongs to a professional.

7. Perform a safe restart

A controlled restart clears many transient faults. Turn OFF the solar AC breaker, then turn the DC switch to OFF. Wait at least five minutes so the internal capacitors discharge. Then turn the DC switch back ON, followed by the AC breaker. The inverter will run a self-check and attempt to reconnect to the grid, which can take several minutes — on LED-only models a slow single flash means it is still in its pre-connection self-check. If the same fault returns immediately, do not keep restarting it; call your installer. Never open the inverter casing and never touch DC or AC wiring yourself.

When to Call a Professional

Call your installer or a qualified solar electrician if any of these apply: the fault LED stays on after a restart, the same fault returns repeatedly, you smell burning or see scorch marks, the inverter casing is physically damaged, the AC breaker trips more than once, or the display shows isolation or ground faults that do not clear. Also call a professional for anything that requires opening the inverter, touching wiring, or working inside the distribution board beyond a clearly labeled solar breaker. GoodWe’s manuals state explicitly that installation and service work must be carried out by qualified personnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my GoodWe inverter not producing at night?

That is normal. A grid-tied inverter can only convert the DC power your panels produce, and at night there is none. The Power LED will be off and the unit sits in standby until morning. Only worry if there is no production during clear daylight hours.

What does it mean when the WiFi light blinks twice?

Two blinks means the inverter’s WiFi module cannot connect to your router. Check that the router is powered, the WiFi password has not changed, and the signal at the inverter’s location is strong enough. This affects monitoring only — the inverter keeps producing power.

How long should a restart take?

After you restore DC and AC power, allow five to ten minutes. The inverter runs internal self-checks and then waits for stable grid conditions before reconnecting, which is a safety requirement, not a fault.

The fault light came on during a storm. Should I worry?

Not necessarily. Grid voltage and frequency swing during storms, and the inverter is designed to disconnect rather than feed an unstable grid. If it produces normally once the weather passes, no action is needed — but a fault that persists in clear weather needs your installer.

Related Error Codes

• GoodWe 14 — fault details and step-by-step fix
• GoodWe 15 — fault details and step-by-step fix
• GoodWe 21 — fault details and step-by-step fix

Sources: GoodWe XS and SDT G2 series user manuals (en.goodwe.com); GoodWe GW1000-NS troubleshooting guide. LED behavior varies slightly by model — always confirm against the manual for your exact unit.