There’s an issue preventing your switch

  • Creator
    Topic
  • #354070
    kdwolf
    Participant

      I wonder if anyone has encountered the same issue, please:

      I’ve had EVs for years and never had any problems switching between energy providers until now. Last year I joined E.ON for the first time, and it now seems I can’t get away from them. I’ve tried to switch to EDF and Scottish Power, but received the following message:

      “Unfortunately, there appears to be a problem with the remote communications link to your smart meter. This communications link is essential to ensure that the meter is in the correct payment mode when you switch to us.”

      So it looks as though I can’t leave E.ON.

      I’ve tried to escalate this with all three providers, but to no avail so far. Any suggestions?

      Sent from a mobile device.
      Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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    Viewing 25 replies - 1 through 25 (of 26 total)
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    • #354074
      Fartoostrong
      Participant

        This usually comes down to the smart meter losing its WAN (wide area network) connection, which suppliers rely on during the switching process.

        A few things worth trying / checking:

        Confirm if your meter is communicating at all

        Check your in home display (if you have one), is it showing current usage or has it gone blank? If it’s not updating, your meter likely isn’t sending data. Ask E.ON to check the comms status. Specifically ask them to confirm whether your meter has an active WAN connection. They can run a remote check, sometimes the meter just needs a reset/recommission. Request a DCC “adoption / rejoin”

        The issue is often with the meter not being properly enrolled in the national smart network (DCC). Ask them to re-establish the connection rather than just saying “it’s not working.” Try switching in “traditional mode”

        You can still switch supplier even if the smart features aren’t working. The new supplier may install a replacement meter or run it as a dumb meter temporarily.

        If E.ON won’t fix it, raise a formal complaint. After 8 weeks (or deadlock), go to the Energy Ombudsman.

        #354076
        kdwolf
        Participant

          Thank you @Fartoostrong
          The issue that none of the new suppliers wants to progress without a valid smart meter.
          I will have a chat with E.On.

          Sent from a mobile device.
          Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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          #354077
          kezo
          Participant

            What make and model is your electricity meter or do you know what meter you have Smets 1 or 2?

            The WAN light on the communications hub ontop of the meter (not in home display) should flash 5 times – pause – 5 times – pause and so on.

            If it flashes every second the meter, it likely down to a bad communications hub or failed firmware update.

            You can carry out a health check but need to know meter manufacturer/model.

             

            #354078
            kezo
            Participant

              Theres also the £40 compensation if you have faulty meter.

               

              #354079
              kdwolf
              Participant

                What make and model is your electricity meter or do you know what meter you have Smets 1 or 2? The WAN light on the communications hub ontop of the meter (not in home display) should flash 5 times – pause – 5 times – pause and so on. If it flashes every second the meter, it likely down to a bad communications hub or failed firmware update. You can carry out a health check but need to know meter manufacturer/model.


                @Kezo
                , this is what I have

                Sent from a mobile device.
                Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                #354080
                kezo
                Participant

                  Is the WAN light flashing 5 times as previously explained?

                  You can use CA to check your meter is supplying data to the DCC which energy companies rely on (however, it doesn’t always work but worth a try)

                  You will need your MPAN off your bill and postcode.

                  https://smartmetercheck.citizensadvice.org.uk/meters/new

                   

                  #354081
                  kezo
                  Participant

                    This check is more in depth and will give you more information on issues or maturing problems. I recommend you copy the results and save them for future reference.

                    As before you need to input your MPAN for best results and click the box you are the bill payer, before proceeding with check meter.

                    https://homebrew.n3rgy.com

                     

                     

                    #354082
                    kdwolf
                    Participant

                      Is the WAN light flashing 5 times as previously explained? You can use CA to check your meter is supplying data to the DCC which energy companies rely on (however, it doesn’t always work but worth a try) You will need your MPAN off your bill and postcode. https://smartmetercheck.citizensadvice.org.uk/meters/new

                      “There is a problem – Choose a meter type” – a response from the above website
                      I will check the lights later – can’t see a thing because of the sun (can’t believe I am complaining about the sun!).

                      Sent from a mobile device.
                      Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                      #354083
                      kdwolf
                      Participant

                        This check is more in depth and will give you more information on issues or maturing problems. I recommend you copy the results and save them for future reference. As before you need to input your MPAN for best results and click the box you are the bill payer, before proceeding with check meter. https://homebrew.n3rgy.com

                        This is what I see – no other information on that page (I have tried using my MPAN as well as my home address – same result as below in both of the cases)

                        Report on MPxN: my-MPAN-number
                        BETA – Report on the health of your Smart Meter installation – BETA

                        Note:
                        If you see multiple devices of the same type, it’s likely that you’re Energy Supplier has got into a bit of a pickle when trying to installed and configure your smart meter.Warnings indicate likely problems, Errors indicate real issues

                         

                         

                        N.B. Tried three different browsers, in case something is blocking.

                        Sent from a mobile device.
                        Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                        #354084
                        kezo
                        Participant

                          xxxdeleted personal infoxxx

                           

                          • This reply was modified 2 weeks, 4 days ago by kezo.
                          #354085
                          kdwolf
                          Participant

                            Tried both Android mobile phone and Windows 10.

                            Tried with MPAN and with my address – nothing.

                            Sent from a mobile device.
                            Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                            #354087
                            kezo
                            Participant

                              Tried both Android mobile phone and Windows 10. Tried with MPAN and with my address – nothing.

                              There seems to be problem, given both sites can’t get information from the DCC.

                              Have a look in your EON account and see if there are days or a block from when they last got your usage data

                              and

                              Check the WAN status lights later.

                              #354090
                              kdwolf
                              Participant

                                Interesting… none was blinking, so I took 100A plug under the meter out for a minute and placed it back. Ten minutes later 4 out of 5 (except MESH one) are still blinking in green light.

                                Sent from a mobile device.
                                Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                                #354091
                                kezo
                                Participant

                                  Interesting… none was blinking, so I took 100A plug under the meter out for a minute and placed it back. Ten minutes later 4 out of 5 (except MESH one) are still blinking in green light.

                                  Firstly, I’m glad your still here to tell the story without injury 😂

                                  As long as WAN is flashing 5 times your meter should communicate with the DCC and allow you to switch

                                  The HAN light should similrly flash to indicate your gas meter is communicating with your elec meter and the in home display, but less important for switching suppliers.

                                  Before you attempt to switch, I’d make sure everything is working as should in a day or two.

                                  #354096
                                  kdwolf
                                  Participant

                                    Firstly, I’m glad your still here to tell the story without injury 😂

                                    Well, I appreciate there is a significant difference between reading Theoretical Physics for a degree and applying the knowledge, but after several practical failures the lessons normally well learned for life at the very early stage  🙂

                                    Sent from a mobile device.
                                    Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                                    #354101
                                    Phaedra
                                    Participant

                                      Ah yes “Practical failures” a great way to learn things quickly 😂

                                      My best friend still has a lovely scar on his thumb from accidentaly touching a PL509 valve anode while reaching over a TV he was repairing about 55 years ago! 😯

                                      Those were the good old days! Health & Safety was basically “Well it didn’t kill you so you’ll know not to do it again” 👍

                                      Please excuse spelling/typos. Apart from being a clot it turns out I had one on my cerebellum that's now causing various problems!

                                      #354103
                                      kdwolf
                                      Participant

                                        Ah yes “Practical failures” a great way to learn things quickly 😂 My best friend still has a lovely scar on his thumb from accidentaly touching a PL509 valve anode while reaching over a TV he was repairing about 55 years ago! 😯 Those were the good old days! Health & Safety was basically “Well it didn’t kill you so you’ll know not to do it again” 👍

                                        Indeed the rules were simple: if you’re an idiot, don’t feel offended if you’ll learn it hard way. And yet I wouldn’t change anything: nowadays they get offended from everything.

                                        N.B. I still have a scar from testing my 2.5cc Diesel engine model aeroplane.

                                        Sent from a mobile device.
                                        Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                                        #354105
                                        Woodpecker
                                        Participant

                                          Yup, flicking over dem engines trying to start, you got prop rash on your fingers.

                                          I used the diesel fuel, in a plastic bottle and a rag as a wick. The spout,  i would stick it in my air rifle chamber, it would suck the fumes in. Firing the gun the fumes ignited and you got a loud thump.

                                          But you made your own stuff, model aircraft etc

                                          #354106
                                          kezo
                                          Participant

                                            Ah yes “Practical failures” a great way to learn things quickly 😂 My best friend still has a lovely scar on his thumb from accidentaly touching a PL509 valve anode while reaching over a TV he was repairing about 55 years ago! 😯 Those were the good old days! Health & Safety was basically “Well it didn’t kill you so you’ll know not to do it again” 👍

                                            Got a lovely cap burn for not allowing circuit time to discharge. How many have changed a car battery and shotted terminal whils’t wearin a watch etc.

                                            The general rule for restarting meters is power of for 3-5 minutes, but as a responsible electrician, I’d have my balls chewed if I advised someone to pull the plug however, the tinternet is ripe in giving stuff away, that someone is bound to try😂 A sparky in another dept when worked at Michelin, got an a burn from an arc flash when reconnecting power, because he couldn’t be bother go back to the workshop for his high voltage gloves.

                                            #354134
                                            kezo
                                            Participant

                                              @kdwolf all working as should?

                                              #354135
                                              kdwolf
                                              Participant

                                                @kdwolf all working as should?

                                                Still blinking, yes.
                                                But no update on neither of the websites you have kindly provided.

                                                Hopefully will be updated tomorrow.

                                                Sent from a mobile device.
                                                Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                                                #354139
                                                kezo
                                                Participant

                                                  I would contact E-ON tomorrow or Tuesday and ask if they are getting meter reading every half hour. If they aren’t they can action a remote reset/engineer visit.

                                                  It can take a few hours to a couple of days after a rest before the DCC start receiving meter reading however,  delays of up to a week can occur depending on connectivity and your supplier intervention.

                                                  What ever you do don’t tell them you pulled the plug😂

                                                  This is a more complex site, that requires sign up and be granted an API (read instructions)

                                                  https://homebrew.n3rgy.com/data/

                                                   

                                                   

                                                  #354154
                                                  kdwolf
                                                  Participant

                                                    Miracle! Although https://homebrew.n3rgy.com/data/ still doesn’t work, the one from CAB confirms the smart meter is working and is of type 2.

                                                    Hopefully I will be able to switch.

                                                    Thank you,  @kezo.

                                                    Sent from a mobile device.
                                                    Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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                                                    #354157
                                                    kezo
                                                    Participant

                                                      Miracle! Although https://homebrew.n3rgy.com/data/ still doesn’t work, the one from CAB confirms the smart meter is working and is of type 2. Hopefully I will be able to switch. Thank you, @kezo.

                                                      If CAB link is working you should hav no issues switching, as ir shows its communicatng with the DCC

                                                      Let us know how it goes 🙂

                                                      #354244
                                                      kdwolf
                                                      Participant

                                                        Looks like all went well – finally got a confirmation from the current energy provider, that I am leaving them 🙂

                                                        Sent from a mobile device.
                                                        Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

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