Warning What does this mean?
Your system is down or running degraded, but this is not an immediate safety danger. Work through the safe steps below.
GoodWe Inverter Error 23 — Utility Loss and How to Respond
GoodWe error 23 (“Utility Loss”) means your inverter cannot detect the electricity grid — the grid is down, disconnected, or the inverter's AC connection to it has failed. By law the inverter must shut down when the grid disappears, and it reconnects automatically when power returns. Check whether your home has power: if the whole street is dark, just wait it out.
What should I do first?
Two quick questions — we'll point you to the right starting point.
Is this code still showing on your inverter's display?
Is your system producing power right now?
What this code means
GoodWe's manual defines error 23 simply: “Utility Loss: utility is unavailable.” Your grid-tied inverter is not a backup power source — it needs the grid's voltage and frequency as a reference to operate. When that reference vanishes, anti-islanding protection requires the inverter to shut down within fractions of a second, so it never energises wires that line workers believe are dead. Error 23 is the inverter reporting that it did so. It is not an inverter fault at all; it is the inverter correctly responding to a missing grid.
The most common cause is the simplest: a power cut. If your lights are out too, the inverter is just one more appliance waiting for the grid to return. The next most common cause is local to your property — the solar AC breaker or isolator in your switchboard has tripped or been switched off, or an AC cable connection has failed. GoodWe's troubleshooting for grid-side faults starts with exactly these checks: is the grid present, and are the AC connections sound? A tripped breaker is easy to spot and explains everything.
Recovery is automatic. When the grid returns and stays stable through the inverter's start-up checks, it resumes feeding power — usually within a few minutes. There is nothing to reset and no button to press. If error 23 persists while your home has power, the problem is in the wiring between the switchboard and the inverter, and that is electrician territory — not something to investigate yourself.
What is this downtime costing you?
Rough estimate while your system isn't producing. Adjust the numbers to match your setup.
≈ – kWh of lost production per day.
Estimate only — assumes ~80% real-world output vs. nameplate. Actual losses depend on weather, shading, panel direction, and your tariff.
Common causes
- Grid power outage — the whole street is down; the inverter is correctly shut down along with everything else.
- Solar AC breaker tripped or switched off — the inverter is isolated from a live grid by its own breaker.
- Loose or failed AC connection — a wiring fault between the inverter and the switchboard.
- Grid operator maintenance — planned works with the local network de-energised.
- Blown AC fuse (where fitted) — less common on modern installs, but a failed fuse in the AC path looks identical to the inverter.
Safe steps to try
Work top to bottom, ticking off each step as you complete it. 0 of 5 done.
Is your inverter still under warranty?
Before paying for a repair, check — your installer may fix this free.
Based on typical standard warranty terms — always confirm with your warranty card or installer paperwork, as terms vary by model, region, and purchase date.
When to call an electrician
Call your installer or an electrician if error 23 persists while your home has grid power — that means the break is in your solar AC circuit, not the street. Also call if the solar AC breaker trips again after being reset. Never work on the AC isolator, switchboard wiring, or inverter AC terminals yourself. If the outage is street-wide, your grid operator's outage line is the right contact, not your installer.
Frequently asked questions
Will my solar panels power my house during a blackout?
No — a standard grid-tied GoodWe inverter shuts down during outages, and that shutdown is what error 23 reports. This anti-islanding protection keeps line workers safe while they repair the grid. Only a hybrid or battery system with backup capability keeps your power on during blackouts.
How long before the inverter restarts after the grid returns?
Usually a few minutes. The inverter must see stable grid voltage and frequency for its start-up check period before it resumes feeding power — this is normal and required.
Error 23 shows but my house has power — what is wrong?
Then the grid is fine and the break is in your solar AC circuit — typically a tripped or faulty breaker, or a failed AC connection. That needs an electrician; do not investigate the wiring yourself.
Should I turn the inverter off during a long outage?
You do not need to — it is already safely shut down. Leave it alone and it will restart itself when the grid returns. If the outage lasts for days, there is nothing you need to do to protect the inverter.
Need a professional?
This fault may need professional diagnosis. Contact a qualified solar electrician in your area.
Sources: meaning and troubleshooting verified against the manufacturer's documentation — GoodWe GW XS Series Grid-Tied PV Inverter User Manual (EN), official GoodWe manual hosted on emea-test.goodwe.com (GoodWe EMEA download site) — Error Message table: 23 = “Utility Loss”, “Utility is unavailable”. Grid-fault troubleshooting (check grid availability, AC breaker and cable connections; automatic resumption of grid-tie) per GoodWe's official GW series user manual (admin.goodwe.com).