Why is the app showing External Control Detected?

Charge HQ will detect when charging is stopped or started by something else, including:

• the Tesla app
• the vehicle touch screen
• the vehicle scheduler (as configured by the app)
• another 3rd-party app

Once detected it will display the "External Control Detected, Charging Control Suspended" banner in the app and cease control of charging. This is to prevent Charge HQ from overriding what you are trying to do in the vehicle.

You will also receive a notification when this happens.

This mode may also be triggered:

• intermittently by the application of Tesla software updates
• when charging is started by the vehicle's charging scheduler AND you haven't enabled the override

Charge HQ will stay in the "Charging Control Suspended" mode until:

• the vehicle is unplugged, or
• you select a different mode (Stop, Auto, Charge Now) in the Charge HQ app, or
• a Scheduled Charge Period begins

How can I stop this from happening?

If this issue keeps happening:

• Login to your Tesla account, Account Settings -> Security -> Third Party Apps. Remove any apps that you don't need. You can also do this from the Tesla app.
• For any third-party app you want to keep, make sure that it doesn't send any charging commands. You might need to contact the app provider to confirm.
• On the vehicle's touchscreen, go to Locks. Remove any virtual keys from apps that you don't want to send commands to your vehicle.
• If you have a smart charger ensure there are no schedules or other features enabled that may start or stop charging. These may be configured on the charger itself or on its companion app.
• Always unplug the vehicle when performing a software update.

You can also consider changing Charge HQ to stay in control, however that can have some unwanted outcomes. Please see this article.

Last Resort

If, after following all the above steps, the issue keeps happening, there may be a problem with your charging equipment or vehicle. In that case you can:

• revoke all third-party app access from your vehicle, including Charge HQ
• use the vehicle or Tesla app to manage charging for a few days
• if you still have problems with charging starting or stopping unexpectedly, raise a service request with Tesla

Tesla will likely not help if any third-party apps have access to your vehicle.

Other 3rd-party apps

One common cause of external control events is other 3rd-party apps which have been linked to your Tesla. If any other app sends charging commands to your vehicle, Charge HQ may detect external control. This is to avoid multiple apps "fighting" over charging control, which is not good for the equipment. Apps may include:

• Teslafi, Tessie or similar
• Energy retailer smart charging apps
• Demand response apps that directly communicate with your vehicle

If you have used 3rd-party apps in the past and you want to be sure that they are no longer connected to your vehicle, you can revoke their access using your account on tesla.com. You should also delete any "virtual keys" that have been installed on your vehicle, by going to Settings -> Locks on the vehicle touchscreen.

Incorrect detection

The external control detection may occasionally incorrectly trigger. If this happens repeatedly, please feel free to let us know by emailing info@chargehq.net and describe the date & time when it occurred.