Does the ETC need to be reactivated if it was removed during window tinting?
3 Answers
ETC needs to be reactivated if it was removed during window tinting. Methods to reactivate ETC: Insert and remove the ETC card twice consecutively until the electronic tag screen displays "Bluetooth is on". If "Tag invalid" appears when inserting and removing twice without the electronic tag attached, this is normal and does not affect activation. Alternatively, you can directly press the button on top of the electronic tag to enable Bluetooth. Turn on your phone's Bluetooth, open the corresponding mobile app (usually there is a download QR code on the electronic tag), and enter the device activation interface. Click "Device Connection" and wait patiently for the "Connection successful" prompt. Once connected successfully, upload a photo of the vehicle's front to complete activation. ETC installation positions: For small vehicles like cars and minivans, the ETC card and OBU device should be installed on the upper middle part of the front windshield. For large vehicles like trucks and buses, the installation position is on the lower middle part.
Once I removed the ETC sticker, and when my car passed through the toll station, it didn't beep, so it needed reactivation. As a veteran driver with over 10 years of experience, I often encounter this issue. There's a small component on the back of the ETC device—once it's peeled off the windshield, it automatically locks to prevent others from stealing your device. If you don't reset it, you won't be able to use automatic toll deduction on the highway next time and will have to queue in the manual lane. Contact your ETC service provider; they can usually remotely reset it for you, or you can visit a nearby service center—the process is free and quick. Safety first—don’t DIY and risk damaging the device, which could affect your driving. Also, a friendly reminder: when applying the sticker, protect that area to avoid unnecessary trouble from loosening.
Last month when my car was getting new window film applied, the technician removed the ETC device, and I was worried about whether it needed to be reset. As an ordinary car owner, I find this quite annoying, but it does indeed require reactivation. After calling customer service, I learned that once removed, the system assumes the device has been relocated and it must be rebound to function properly. Otherwise, it won't scan at toll stations, forcing you to manually insert the card each time, which is time-consuming. The reactivation process is simple—just a few taps on the mobile app or a quick visit to the bank branch, usually taking about ten minutes. If the device is installed crookedly after the film application, the signal might be unstable, so I recommend checking if it's positioned flat. Also, don’t forget to regularly clean the small tag to avoid dust interference.
