When a charger in the field stops responding, the first fix that comes to mind is the same as with a home computer: turn it off and on again. OCPP lets you do this without sending a technician: the Reset command restarts the charger remotely. Used correctly, it significantly reduces site visits.
How does the Reset command work?
In OCPP 1.6J, Reset has a single field: type. Its value can be Soft or Hard.
[2, "7001", "Reset", {"type": "Soft"}]
The charger replies Accepted or Rejected. If it accepts, it restarts and sends a new BootNotification when it comes back up. In OCPP 2.0.1 and 2.1 the values are Immediate and OnIdle: Immediate restarts right away, while OnIdle waits for ongoing transactions to finish. It is also possible to target a specific EVSE.
What is a soft reset?
A soft reset is a controlled restart of the charger's software. The charger:
- Ends ongoing charging sessions properly and sends StopTransaction (reason: SoftReset),
- Restarts the application and communication modules,
- Then reconnects with a BootNotification.
A soft reset is usually enough for software freezes, a stuck communication module or when a configuration change needs to take effect.
What is a hard reset?
A hard reset restarts the charger at hardware level; it is similar to cutting and restoring power. Sessions are not expected to close cleanly, but when the charger comes back it should try to send the missing StopTransaction messages (reason: HardReset). A hard reset is used when a soft reset does not help or the charger does not respond to software commands.
Which one and when?
- Soft reset first: It is less risky and preserves session data.
- Hard reset if soft does not work: Especially for communication module or meter reading problems.
- Be careful during charging: Both resets end the active session. If possible, wait for the user's charging to finish or use the OnIdle option in OCPP 2.0.1.
Why is a reset rejected?
Some chargers reject or postpone a reset while charging is in progress. Some models do not support a hard reset at all. When you get Rejected, check the charger's status and try again after the session ends if necessary.
A reset is a symptom, not a solution
If you constantly have to reset a charger, there is an underlying problem: a firmware bug, a heat issue, a weak mobile signal or a power supply problem. Reporting reset frequency per charger shows which models or locations are problematic. In OCPP 2.0.1, the reason field in BootNotification also tells you whether a restart was a remote reset or an unexpected watchdog event.
Places to check first when solving recurring problems:
- The firmware version and the manufacturer's known issues list,
- The charger's temperature readings and ventilation,
- Mobile signal quality and SIM card status,
- Voltage fluctuations in the electrical installation.
For connection-related issues see why OCPP connections drop, and for a comprehensive fault list see our OCPP error codes guide.
The importance of keeping records
Every remote reset should be logged with who sent it, when, to which charger and with what result. This record is evidence both for troubleshooting and for warranty processes. Üreticy's OCPP software lets you send soft or hard reset commands from the dashboard with one click and keeps a record of the result of every command. To plan maintenance processes, see our Maintenance and SLA management page as well.
Resetting in bulk
After a firmware update or configuration change you may need to restart many chargers. In that case, rather than resetting all chargers at once, it is safer to proceed in small groups and during low-usage hours. After each group, confirm that the chargers come back with BootNotification and that the connectors return to Available. If a problem appears, the process can be stopped before it spreads across the whole network.
Conclusion
OCPP Reset is a powerful tool that solves many faults without a site visit. Try a soft reset first, move to a hard reset if needed, and keep active sessions in mind. Monitor reset frequency to spot chronic problems early.