Bosch EV home charger will not start charging; display shows E101 shortly after plugging in the vehicle.

Safety first: Turn OFF the charger’s dedicated circuit breaker before touching the cable or opening any covers. Do not work on the unit if you smell burning or see melted plastic.

• Power-cycle the charger: Turn the breaker OFF for 2 minutes, then ON again. Reconnect the vehicle and see if E101 clears.
• Inspect the J1772 connector: With power OFF, check the Bosch charge handle for bent, recessed, or corroded pins, especially the small pilot pins. Clean light debris with a dry, soft brush only. Do not use liquids.
• Check cable strain: Make sure the cable is not sharply bent near the charger housing or the handle. Excessive strain can break the pilot conductors inside.
• Try another vehicle or EVSE: If possible, test your Bosch charger with a different EV, or test your EV on another Level 2 charger. If the error only occurs with your charger, the internal pilot circuit or cable assembly is likely faulty.
• When to call a technician: If E101 persists after power-cycling and visual inspection, the control pilot circuit on the main control board or the J1772 cable assembly likely needs replacement. These require opening the enclosure and should be done by a qualified technician to maintain Bosch warranty and UL listing.