Monta logo
Back to Help center

Monta Charge

Charge key FAQ and troubleshooting

Are you experiencing issues with using an RFID card with Monta? In this guide you will learn how to troubleshoot different issues that may occur.
Written by Yana Yankova
Last updated: 18 June, 2024
In this guide

Connecting different charge keys to your Monta Wallet

While we always recommend getting a Monta charge key, you can also connect other brands of RFID cards to your Monta Wallet. Here is what you need to know about other charge key brands:

1. Number of characters

The charge key needs to have 8, 14, 16 or 20 characters.

2. Charge key with a subscription

Some companies (i.e. Clever, E.ON, etc.) offer subscriptions for charging on their charge points. If you have a charge key that is connected to a subscription like this, you can also add it to Monta!

3. Why did I pay with Monta Wallet?

When you connect any charge key to Monta, you tie it to your virtual Monta Wallet. Afterwards, you are able to start a charging session on any charge point that is available on the Monta map, including your subscription provider's charge point.

For example, if you have connected a Clever charge key to your Monta Wallet and you are starting a charge on a Clever charge point, the payment can happen through either Monta or Clever.

The moment you scan the RFID card, the system is looking for a payment method. If the Monta system responds first, you will pay with your Monta Wallet.


Can't connect charge key to Monta Wallet

There are multiple ways you can add a charge key to your Monta Wallet. Here are our troubleshooting tips, divided by the method that you are using to connect your RFID card.

1. Read NFC key

This pairing method is available in Monta Charge.

If your phone is failing to scan the RFID through NFC, make sure that:

  • Your charge key is 8, 14, 16 or 20 characters.
  • Your phone is able to scan through NFC.
  • NFC is enabled on your phone.

2. Pair through charge point

This is another pairing method, available in Monta Charge.

Once you pair the charge charge key through the charge point, you will be able to use it on any charge point available through the Monta system, that is able to read RFID cards.

If you are not able to pair the charge key through a charge point, make sure:

  • Your charge key is 8, 14, 16 or 20 characters.
  • You are the owner or admin of this charge point. The charge key will be registered in the same team / Wallet as the charge point.
  • The charge point is able to scan RFID cards.

3. Enter key manually

This pairing method can be done both through the Monta Charge and Monta Hub.

With this method, you need to make sure that you are entering the characters of the charge key correctly.


The characters on the screen don't match the characters printed on the card

When you scan the RFID key (through NFC or a charge point), and the characters on the screen do not match the characters written on the physical charge key, always go by the characters on the screen.

It is possible that the characters were not printed correctly on the charge key. That means what you see on the screen when scanning through NFC or through the charge point is the correct serial number.


Can't start charging with an RFID key

If the charging does not start when you swipe the RFID key on the charge point, here are the most common reasons and how to troubleshoot them.

1. No funds in the Monta Wallet

Make sure there are funds in the Monta Wallet to perform a charge. You can refill your Wallet from the Monta Charge or Monta Hub.

2. Charge point cannot read RFID cards

Make sure that the charge point is able to read RFID cards.

3. Charge keys permissions are limited

Team owners and Admins can control where the charge key can be used for initiating a charge. This is located in the charge key settings, which can be found in the Monta Portal.

If you are not able to start the charge, please contact the Team Admin or Owner. Here is a guide on how to edit the charge key details.

4. Charge key characters are entered incorrectly

If the charge point is rejecting an RFID card that is registered in your Monta Wallet, it is possible that the charge key id (the sequence of characters) was printed incorrectly on your charge key. This is a very rare occurrence, but it can happen.

In this case, we would recommend you to scan the RFID card with NFC or through a charge point you own. The characters that appear on the screen after the scan is the correct charge key id. Thus the characters you see on the RFID card itself are incorrect.

Compare the characters printed on the card with the ones you see on the screen. Separate the long chain into pairs of 2 and write in reverse.

Example:

The id printed on the charge key is: F6 E5 D4 C3 B2 A1 04

The id you can see on the screen is correctly showing: 04 A1 B2 C3 D4 E5 F6

As mentioned earlier, the correct charge key is on the screen. Just enter this id for the charge key and you should be able to start charging.

If you followed these steps, but you didn't find the solution you need in this guide, please reach out to Monta support and we will assist you!

Need to talk to a specialist?

Contact our support team

Private users
Start a chat in the Monta app on your mobile device of choice.
Open Monta app
Open hours: 24/7, 365
First reply time: <5 minutes
Business customers
Sign in to Monta Hub and create a support ticket.
Open hours: 07:00 – 23:00 CET
First reply time: <3 business days
Certified installers
Book a guided call with an installation specialist.
Book a call
Open hours: Mon – Fri
09:00 – 17:00 CET