Tesla Powerwall › Problems

Powerwall Storm Watch doesn't activate, or opt-out is ignored

Powerwall Storm Watch doesn't activate before severe weather, activates late, won't charge, or keeps drawing from the grid after you opt out. This page covers what to check first and the causes behind it.

What to check first

1. Check which weather alert was issued for your area. Storm Watch activates on warnings, such as a tornado or high wind warning, and on a watch only for hurricanes and tropical storms. A tornado watch alone did not trigger it.
2. If the app says Failed to save Storm Watch settings, wait about 5 minutes, then fully quit and restart the app. If the toggle now shows your change, the setting took and only the app display was lagging.
3. In Storm Watch, Powerwalls charge at up to 3.3 kW each, using solar first, and typically hold at about 97 to 99% rather than reaching 100%.
4. Ask your installer whether grid charging is enabled. An installer said the SGIP incentive program blocks it for the first 5 years except during Storm Watch, but an owner with SGIP-funded Powerwalls installed by Tesla still had grid charging.
5. When severe weather is forecast, raise the Backup Reserve to 100% yourself well ahead of time instead of relying on Storm Watch. Raised only that afternoon, Powerwalls had reached just 68% when Storm Watch kicked in, shortly before the storm.
6. If the system keeps drawing from the grid after you opt out of a Storm Watch event, turn Storm Watch off entirely, though that has not always stopped it. If notifications never arrive with everything enabled, open a support case with Tesla.