How to Reactivate a Fallen-off ETC?
2 Answers
The process to reactivate a fallen-off ETC: 1. Insert and remove the ETC card twice consecutively until the electronic tag screen displays 'Bluetooth On'. If inserting/removing twice without the electronic tag attached shows 'Tag Invalid', this is normal and doesn't affect activation. Alternatively, you can directly press the button on top of the electronic tag to enable Bluetooth; 2. Turn on your phone's Bluetooth and open the app mini-program. Download the corresponding mobile app according to the electronic tag's brand, then enter the device activation interface; 3. Click 'Device Connection', select the required device model, and patiently wait for the successful connection prompt; 4. After successful connection, follow the prompts to complete verification by uploading a front photo of your vehicle to finish activation. Wait 3-5 days for approval, after which you can use it normally.
My ETC device fell off the windshield once, which was really a headache. The main reasons are adhesive aging or improper installation, especially prone to softening in hot weather. Reactivation is actually quite simple: first check if the device is damaged, especially the antenna or card slot, to avoid signal issues. If intact, use strong double-sided tape or professional ETC adhesive to reattach it to the original position—on the clean area of the windshield near the rearview mirror. After sticking, don’t move the car immediately; let it sit for a few hours to allow the adhesive to set. Then power it on for testing. Some ETC devices may require reinserting the card or pressing the reset button to reactivate. If the light still doesn’t turn on, contact the ETC service provider’s hotline or refresh the account status remotely via their app; otherwise, toll deduction may fail at the highway booth. To prevent future falls, inspect the adhesive condition quarterly and replace it with shockproof materials to avoid issues under high-speed vibrations. Remember, this device is crucial for travel convenience—delayed handling may cause highway queue troubles. DIY fixes are the most convenient, time-saving, and cost-effective.