Is your VanMoof no longer charging, or does it seem to just give up for no reason? That happens more often than you think, and sometimes it's something small, sometimes something you can't immediately see. In this piece, we try to explain what you can check yourself and what usually goes wrong per model, although it's not always one simple cause.
Step 1: Is the charger recognized?
When you connect the bike to the charger, pay close attention to the small LED light, that thing says more than you think:
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Red light → the bike is recognized and charging
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Green light stays on → the bike is not recognized (unless the battery is already 100%)
If that green light stubbornly stays on, then something is probably wrong with the charging system or the connection itself, sometimes even just due to dust or a strange angle of the plug.
Step 2: Test with another charger
It sounds too simple, but often it's not the bike. If you can, try another VanMoof charger that matches your model.
That helps to rule out the charger itself as the culprit, because chargers also break, sometimes without warning or with a click sound you don't hear.
Step 3: Reset and environmental factors
Before you look further, do a reset. Put the bike indoors if it's cold, because cold and electronics do not always ge along.
Sometimes the system simply freezes because the temperature is too low; that sounds silly, but it really happens.
Causes per VanMoof model
VanMoof S2 & X2
Here, the charging port often goes wrong.
For the S2, that port can still be repaired, for the X2 unfortunately not, or well, not yet.
VanMoof S3 & X3
These models more often suffer from a broken smart unit or a worn-out battery.
Both can cause the bike to simply stop charging, as if it decides it's had enough.
VanMoof S5, A5 & S6 (Open)
With these newer types, it's sometimes a completely different story.
It could be due to the charging port module, the Power ECU, or something seemingly unrelated like the kicklock or e-shifter disrupting the power.
It's a kind of domino effect, so a diagnosis is often needed to know exactly what's going wrong.
Note: It's not always one clear cause
Sometimes it's a combination of bad connections, minor defects, or internal malfunctions that reinforce each other.
It sounds vague, but electronics sometimes just have a will of their own.
Our approach: first diagnosis, then repair
At WheelGood, we always start with a diagnosis, to know where the problem lies and to prevent us from just replacing parts.
After that, you'll receive an explanation and a quote, clear and without fuss.
When should you visit us?
Come by if:
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the charger stays green
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the bike doesn't respond
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the battery doesn't charge
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or if you just have doubts
In all these cases, further investigation is really necessary.
VanMoof repair in Amsterdam
WheelGood is a certified VanMoof workshop in Amsterdam, experienced in charging problems with S2, S3, and S5 models.
If your bike is still under warranty, please let us know when making your appointment and note the frame number in the comments.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my charger stay green?
Because the bike is not recognized, usually due to a malfunction in the charging system.
Can my charger be broken?
Yes, it certainly can. Test it with another charger to rule that out.
Is my bike not charging due to the cold?
Yes, cold can really throw a wrench in the works. Bring it inside and try again.
Does my battery need to be replaced?
Not always, which is why we do a diagnosis first.