Read the manual thoroughly and understand all of the instructions, cautions, and warnings before using this equipment. If any section of the manual is not understood, contact your nearest authorized dealer, or contact Generac Customer Service at 1-888-436-3722 (1-888-GENERAC), or www.generac.com with any questions or concerns. 

Generator not starting up when utility power is lost

Environment

• This article applies to Generac home standby generators that are installed with an automatic transfer switch.
• This issue usually occurs during an outage where utility power is lost to the site.

Troubleshooting

If your internet connection is down during an outage and you cannot access Mobile Link, go to the generator and check the controller display and/or LED status indicator on the control panel.

Note: Depending on your generator model, where you see error codes displayed will vary. Guardian series generators will display error messages on the control panel display or in Mobile Link, while Next Generation Air-Cooled Standby generator will only display messages in the Mobile Link app.

1. Check for error state: Is the generator in Auto mode? What does the Mobile Link app or the control panel say? What color is the LED status indicator?

• Reference: What Do the Green, Yellow, and Red Status Indicator Lights Mean on Home Standby Generators?
• Check for error codes and alarms.
• Reference the Where can I find a list of error codes for my generator? article for information about troubleshooting error codes.

2. Is your control panel's display or control panel LEDs working? If not:

• Check battery cable connections: How Do I Inspect the Battery On My Home Standby Generator?
• Check the battery voltage: How Is My Home Standby Generator Battery Charged and What Voltage Should It Read?
• Check the T1 connection: What Is the Purpose of the Generac Home Standby Generator Control Wires?
• Check for a blown T1 fuse (dealer recommended): Where Is the T1 Fuse on My Home Standby Control Panel and What Does It Do?
• Perform a hard reset on the control panel: How Do I Perform a Hard Reset on a Home Standby System?

3. Does the generator's status in Mobile Link or the control panel display Ready to Run, or is there a solid green light on the side of the generator? If so:

• Verify utility service is actually out.
• If simulating an outage, verify the utility’s service disconnect is OFF. This may be in the home’s main panel, automatic transfer switch (ATS), or a stand-alone box. See the How Do I Simulate a Power Outage to Test My Home Standby System? article for more information.

4. Is the generator attempting to start?

• If so, refer to this article: Home Standby Generator Engine Cranks But Will Not Start
• If the generator successfully starts, but is not powering your home, see here: Why Didn't Power Switch Over to the Generator After Losing Utility Power?

Manually starting and transferring power during an outage

Note: Electrical equipment can cause shock, burns, or death. If you are not comfortable performing these steps, stop and use the dealer locator to contact a Generac Independent Authorized Service Dealer or a qualified electrician.

If utility power is out and the generator did not start automatically (or Mobile Link is unavailable due to a loss of internet), you may be able to perform a manual transfer at the automatic transfer switch.

Manually transfer power at the automatic transfer switch

Follow the safety warnings and steps in this article: How do I manually operate an automatic transfer switch?

If the above troubleshooting steps do not resolve the issue, use the dealer locator to find a Generac authorized service dealer near you.