--- title: "Tesla CP_a046: Charging Communication Lost - Fix | EV Fix Guide" description: "CP_a046 means charging stopped because the car lost communication with the charger. Tesla says this is usually caused by the charging equipment or its power supply, such as a tripped breaker, a power cut or a faulty station. Tesla Service: $0. Independent: $150 - $600. DIY steps, tools and torque specs included." canonical: https://evfixguide.com/guides/cp-a046-charging-communication-lost lang: en last_updated: 2026-10-24 --- [Tesla Model 3](https://evfixguide.com/models/model-3) · [Tesla Model Y](https://evfixguide.com/models/model-y) · [Tesla Model S](https://evfixguide.com/models/model-s) · [Tesla Model X](https://evfixguide.com/models/model-x) · [Tesla Cybertruck](https://evfixguide.com/models/cybertruck) Charging & Range DIY possible # Tesla CP_a046: Charging Communication Lost - Fix By the EV Fix Guide editorial team · Updated October 24, 2026 · [How we estimate costs](https://evfixguide.com/about#how-we-estimate-costs) ## Quick answer CP_a046 means charging stopped because the car lost communication with the charger. Tesla says this is usually caused by the charging equipment or its power supply, such as a tripped breaker, a power cut or a faulty station. At a Tesla Service Center this typically costs **$0 (Equipment issue; a faulty Wall Connector may be covered by its own warranty)**. An independent shop charges about **$150 - $600 (Electrician: breaker, wiring or Wall Connector repair)**, and doing it yourself costs **$0** — potential savings of **Varies**. DIY difficulty: easy (10 - 30 Minutes). ![CP_a046: Charging Equipment Communication Lost](https://evfixguide.com/assets/images/v4-supercharger.jpg) ## Symptoms - 'Charging equipment communication lost - Check power source and charging equipment' alert - Charging stops in the middle of a session, often overnight - Wall Connector or public charger shows no lights, or a fault light - Car charges fine elsewhere ## Repair cost: Tesla vs independent shop vs DIY | Option | Typical cost (USD) | | --- | --- | | Tesla Service Center | $0 (Equipment issue; a faulty Wall Connector may be covered by its own warranty) | | Independent shop | $150 - $600 (Electrician: breaker, wiring or Wall Connector repair) | | DIY | $0 | | Potential savings | Varies | Ranges are US estimates compiled from owner reports and shop quotes; prices vary by region, model year and parts availability. Report your price. ## Can an independent shop fix it? Home cases are an electrician's job: a tripping breaker, an undersized or loose circuit, or a failing Wall Connector. At a public station, contact the operator. Only if the alert follows the car to multiple chargers is the car's charge port or charger worth inspecting. [Get matched with an independent shop →](https://evfixguide.com/?shop=cp-a046-charging-communication-lost#find-shop-section) ## How to fix it yourself (easy, 10 - 30 Minutes) Check whether the charger has power, reset the breaker if it tripped, and test with different equipment. Leave electrical repairs to a licensed electrician. ### Tools you need - Access to your electrical panel - A second charger or Supercharger to test with ### Steps 1. Look at the charger: are its status lights on? No lights means it has no power. 2. At home, check the breaker for the charging circuit. If it tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, stop and call an electrician. 3. At a public station, try another stall or contact the station operator using the number on the unit. 4. If the charger has power, try different equipment. If the car charges, the original charger is at fault. 5. If you have a Wall Connector, check its status light pattern in the Wall Connector manual and power-cycle it at the breaker. 6. If the alert follows the car to several working chargers, book service. **Pro tip:** A breaker that trips repeatedly during long charging sessions is a warning sign of an overloaded or failing circuit, not just an annoyance. Have it checked before it damages the outlet or wiring. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does it cost to fix a CP_a046 charging alert on a Tesla? Tesla Service Center: $0 (Equipment issue; a faulty Wall Connector may be covered by its own warranty). Independent shop: $150 - $600 (Electrician: breaker, wiring or Wall Connector repair). DIY: $0. Typical savings versus the service center: Varies. ### Can I fix a CP_a046 charging alert myself? Yes. DIY difficulty is easy and it typically takes 10 - 30 Minutes. Check whether the charger has power, reset the breaker if it tripped, and test with different equipment. Leave electrical repairs to a licensed electrician. ### Can an independent shop fix a CP_a046 charging alert instead of Tesla? Yes. Home cases are an electrician's job: a tripping breaker, an undersized or loose circuit, or a failing Wall Connector. At a public station, contact the operator. Only if the alert follows the car to multiple chargers is the car's charge port or charger worth inspecting. ### Which Tesla models are affected by a CP_a046 charging alert? This issue is reported on the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X and Cybertruck. ## Related guides - [Tesla Phantom Drain: Stop Battery Loss While Parked — Independent: $0 - $150](https://evfixguide.com/guides/phantom-drain-parked) - [Tesla Not Charging at Home: Melted 14-50 Outlet Fix — Independent: $150 - $400](https://evfixguide.com/guides/home-charging-outlet-overheating) - [Tesla Battery Degradation: How to Check Range Loss — Independent: $100 - $250](https://evfixguide.com/guides/battery-degradation-range-loss) - [Tesla PCS_a019 / PCS_a016: AC Charging Limited Fix — Independent: $150 - $500](https://evfixguide.com/guides/pcs-a019-ac-charging-limited) - [Tesla CP_a004: Charging Equipment Not Recognized Fix — Independent: $250 - $600](https://evfixguide.com/guides/cp-a004-charging-equipment-not-recognized) - [Tesla UMC_a005: Mobile Connector Voltage Too Low Fix — Independent: $150 - $400](https://evfixguide.com/guides/umc-a005-mobile-connector-voltage-low) This guide is for information only. High-voltage components (orange cables) can be lethal — leave them to trained technicians. Not affiliated with Tesla, Inc.