Electric scooter does not move forward, what to do?

An electric scooter can experience many malfunctions during its life. Indeed, in addition to being manufactured with many electronic and mechanical components likely to fail over time; it is subjected to bad weather, shocks and vibrations on a daily basis which wear it out all the more quickly. So when your electric scooter does not move as fast as before or at all, know that you are not alone in this situation. However, depending on the origin of the problem, it will be more or less easily repairable. So, find out in this article everything you need to know about this breakdown to try to repair it. We will explain to you at the end of the article how to unlock a Xiaomi scooter, the most widespread brand to date.

Electric scooter that no longer advances normally: why and what to do?

You may be faced with two types of failure a electric scooter not moving fast enough, or a scooter not moving at all. Depending on the failure you are experiencing, the solutions to resolve it will be different. Generally, a scooter that no longer moves fast enough is easily repairable on your own. On the other hand, if it is no longer advancing at all, the repairs will most certainly require electrical clearances.

First of all, we will see the factors and solutions to repair a scooter that does not move fast enough. Then, in a second step, we will see the causes that can affect your machine when it no longer advances at all. Depending on your breakdown, we invite you to go directly to the part concerned.

Note: If your scooter is a Xiaomi, we invite you to read our more specific article on this brand: Xiaomi scooter does not move fast enough or at all, what to do.

Scooter not moving fast enough: the causes and their solutions

First of all, be aware that all electric scooters intended for riding on public roads are flanged, i.e. limit to a certain speed (25km/h in France), to comply with the law. It is therefore normal that you cannot exceed this speed unless your model is a counterfeit, it was bought abroad or it was jailbroken.

If your scooter has lost power over time, that she does not reach maximum speed authorized, or that it not moving fast enough for your liking, several factors may be the cause. You will then have to check and test the different elements below to try to identify the problem and thus solve it effectively:

• First, check that your electric scooter is not moving fast simply because it is on a bad fashion. Indeed, some models of electric scooters are equipped with the “Economic” or “Beginner” mode which limits the speed to less than 15km/h. Refer to your owner's manual if in doubt.

• Check that your electric scooter has the Last update. If you have just upgraded and the power loss problem occurs as a result, the brand may have throttled the scooter to a lower speed. In this case, consult the changes provided by the update or contact the after-sales service of the brand for information on this subject.

• If your scooter has lost power and speed over time, try replacing it. reset. Indeed, it may be that a firmware bug is the cause. The reset then makes it possible to delete the bugs and errors saved in the device's memory. Not all electric scooters have a reset option. If your model can be reset, you will find the procedure in the manual.

• Check the tire pressure. If the tires of your electric scooter are not sufficiently inflated, this will affect the speed of the machine but also the autonomy of the battery. If the tires are too worn, you can also replace them with new tires. Preferably, choose flat tires which can save you a few significant kilometers per hour.

• Adjust the brakes. They can get stuck in a semi-active position and press the wheel constantly, which will tend to slow the speed of the electric scooter. If you hear a scraping noise coming from your brakes, that's most likely the case. In this case, adjust your brake pads or realign the calipers. If necessary, contact a professional to do it for you. Be careful if you release the brake too much, you risk an accident!

• It may also be that your scooter moves slower because of the battery. First check that it is fully charged. Then if this is the case, check the supply voltage at the battery terminals. If the voltage is not as it should be, it is faulty and will need to be replaced. If you want the detailed procedure to test your battery, we invite you to read our article: Electric scooter that no longer charges, what to do? part “Testing the battery of your electric scooter that no longer charges”.

• Finally, if the electric scooter does not move fast enough in your opinion or its speed is limited or slowed down by external factors (near maximum weight, gradient or road condition), the only solution will be to unleash the scooter. We invite you to inquire on the internet because the procedure is different depending on the model of scooter. In addition, it presents risks and is not necessarily legal if you plan to use the scooter on public roads. So do your research before making this decision.

Scooter that no longer advances at all: the causes

If your electric scooter does not move forward at all, unfortunately the problem is most certainlymaterial origin. In this case, the problem may come from the car's battery performance, engine, fuse, An connectors, motherboard or of the accelerator. It can also happen that the problem comes from the firmware (software) that has crashed or shut down due to a power surge or an overly demanding effort (such as a violent uphill climb). In this case, a system reset sometimes solves the problem.

How to fix your electric scooter that won't move?

If your electric scooter does not move at all, you will first need to check that the problem is not simply a software bug. Then, check the various components likely to be responsible for the failure.

Important :
– If your electric scooter is under guarantee, do not carry out the manipulations below which would make you lose your rights. Contact the after-sales service of the manufacturer or the dealer store directly for a repair or an exchange free of charge.
– Risk of electric shock and irreversible damage to the device. If you are not competent for certain manipulations, contact a professional or a person with electrical clearances. Always work with the power off when dismantling the scooter.

Reset electric scooter software

When your scooter does not move forward after recharging the battery or after a steep climb, it may be that automatic software lock be the cause. Indeed, the software of most scooter models is designed to secure the battery when it detects a malfunction or pulls too much. To remove this safety, you will then have to reset the scooter via the application or the control panel if there is a procedure on your model (see the user manual). Otherwise, it will take reset electrically the electric machine by proceeding as follows:

1. Turn off the scooter and turn it off
2. Remove the battery cover (often under the footrest of the device)
3. Disconnect battery power
4. Connect the charger to the scooter for about 30 seconds (do not touch anything while charging)
5. Unplug the charger and reconnect the battery power

Reassemble the cover and then try to ride your electric scooter. If it still refuses to move forward, the problem is of hardware origin. It will then be necessary to test its various components.

Test the different components of the scooter

Battery

When your electric scooter loses power and stops moving, first check that the battery is fully charged.

If your electric scooter does not move forward at all, it may be that while the car's battery performance either broken down. This is all the more likely if it won't turn on, won't charge, or has battery issues (long charging, reduced autonomy, maximum charging capacity never reached, etc.).

Be aware that all batteries have a limited lifespan. The average life of lithium-ion batteries (the most used on electric scooters) is for example estimated at around 1000 charge cycles.

The battery test is relatively simple. You will need to raise the supply voltage to the battery power terminals. If the supply voltage is zero or lower than the capacity of the battery, then it is defective and it will be necessary to either test these different components to see if the battery can be repaired, or directly replace it. If you want the detailed procedure to test your battery, we invite you to read our article: Electric scooter that no longer charges, what to do?. If you want the exact procedure corresponding to your model of scooter, we advise you to try to find a video tutorial on the net or to contact a professional.

Engine

If your electric scooter turns on but does not start and therefore does not advance, it may be the engine which is broken down or connector disconnected or damaged between the control board and the motor. In this case, open the scooter, then check that the cables and connectors are not disconnected, melted, burned, or damaged. Push in all wires and wire connectors to be sure they have not come loose. You can also mechanically check and electrically test the motor if you have electrical clearances. The motor is usually located in the front wheel or in the frame.

Note: Some electric scooters are equipped with a safety system preventing the motor from starting if the brake is activated. If so, you will need to disconnect the brake wire connector from the cruise control. Then test if the motor runs and your scooter moves forward again. If so, you will need to replace the brake lever wire.

The fuse

It can also be blown scooter fuse or circuit breaker which then prevents him from moving forward. If your electric scooter is qualitative, it is necessarily equipped with one of these two elements. Indeed, they make it possible to protect the other components of the scooter in the event of a problem (short circuit, overvoltage). The fuse or circuit breaker is either at the motor level or at the battery level.

To test the fuse, visually check that it has not blown. If so, it must be replaced with a fuse of the same amperage. If your electric scooter is equipped with a circuit breaker, press the circuit breaker to reset it. If it jumps, the problem is a short circuit in the scooter. It will then be necessary to find it to solve the problem.

The motherboard

When your electric scooter no longer starts it may also be that the motherboard is faulty. In this case, the electric scooter will not start because its role is to control and power the other components of the scooter.

The motherboard can be found in different places on the scooter, but very often it is located next to the battery. First, check that all the wires are firmly seated in the connectors. Then, visually check if any elementary component present on the card does not appear damaged, melted or burnt. If this is the case, the problem most likely comes from this component that has given up the ghost. It will either have to be replaced or the entire motherboard replaced.

Then you will have to electrically tested. Depending on its configuration, you will need:

• or you test the input and output supply voltages of the card. If the output voltages are lower than the input voltage or zero, the card is faulty. Otherwise, it operates normally.
• or you are testing the board's MOSFETs. If one of them is faulty, the card is faulty and will need to be replaced.

The accelerator

Finally, when your electric scooter does not move forward, the problem may come from the accelerator. Since scooter models use different components for acceleration, we advise you to consult a tutorial video on the net corresponding to your scooter model.

Contact the after-sales service or a professional

If you can't figure out why your scooter isn't moving, or you're not good at handling it, call a professional. If the scooter is under warranty, contact the manufacturer's after-sales service. Otherwise, you can also try to contact the manufacturer's after-sales service to obtain personalized information on the breakdown. And if this does not give any results, then you can contact an independent professional repairer. In this case, do not forget to ask for an estimate concerning the price of the diagnosis and the repair.

Unlocking a Xiaomi scooter: the first steps

If you want to go beyond regular maintenance of your electric scooter and want to optimize its performance, unclamping is a procedure commonly considered by owners of Xiaomi brand models. This operation allows you to exceed the speed limits imposed by the manufacturer in order to benefit from a faster and more exciting driving experience. Before proceeding, be sure to understand the legal and security implications associated with this change. Then turn to trusted resources to learn how to unlock a Xiaomi scooter while remaining within the legal framework. These guides provide detailed instructions for performing unclamping safely and efficiently without compromising the scooter's electronic systems.

Safety advice and maintenance after unclamping

Unlocking a Xiaomi scooter not only increases its speed, but also the stress on its components, which makes regular maintenance even more important. After unclamping, carry out frequent checks of the general condition of your scooter, especially brakes, tires and battery. These elements are fundamental to guarantee safety when driving at higher speeds. Also stay informed about firmware updates that could affect the changes made. Finally, note that although unclamping offers an improved experience, you must still respect traffic rules and take into consideration the safety of other road users. Adopting responsible driving ensures your safety and contributes to harmonious coexistence on public roads.