How to Reactivate ETC After Unplugging?
5 Answers
ETC Activation Method: 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 on device connection and wait patiently for the "Connection Successful" prompt. After successful connection, upload a photo of the vehicle's front to complete activation. ETC Working Principle: Through dedicated short-range communication between the vehicle-mounted electronic tag installed on the windshield and the microwave antenna in the ETC lane at the toll station, using computer networking technology to perform background settlement processing with the bank, the system achieves the purpose of allowing vehicles to pass through highway or bridge toll stations without stopping while still paying the highway or bridge fees.
A couple of days ago, my ETC card was pulled out by my kid, but reactivating it was actually quite simple. First, reinsert the card into the device's slot until you hear a beep, indicating it's recognized. Then, drive your car to the ETC sensing zone near a highway toll station. On your first pass through the toll station, avoid the manual lane and go straight through the ETC lane to let the device re-pair with the signal. If the device is misaligned, adjust it to ensure there's no obstruction. After doing this last time, mine worked normally the next day—just make sure not to pull the card out again before activation. If the device doesn’t respond, you might need to contact the bank for a replacement, since it has an anti-tamper mechanism inside.
That time I foolishly unplugged my ETC, it took me ages to figure out how to reactivate it. The key steps are: fully insert the card until the indicator light turns green (don't rush onto the highway yet). Download the ETC app, go to 'Device Management' and select reactivation, then follow prompts to upload photos of your windshield. After approval, drive to an open area and pair the device via mobile Bluetooth. The system will SMS you upon successful matching - then test it at a toll station. Remember: never remove the device during this process - if that little base button pops up, you're in trouble.
Reinstalling ETC requires three steps: After inserting the card and hearing the prompt, do not move the vehicle yet; turn on your phone's Bluetooth and GPS; search for the 'ETC Assistant' mini-program in WeChat, click 'Self-Service Activation', and enter the device serial number. Follow the prompts to drive the car to an area with strong GPS signal, then wait for the progress bar to complete. Once, I successfully activated it in just half an hour, but on cloudy or rainy days, it might take a bit longer. If it still doesn't work after 48 hours, visit a service point with your ID card and vehicle license for staff assistance. Normally, avoid exposing the device to direct sunlight to prevent malfunction.
Last time at the car wash, the technician accidentally unplugged my ETC. Reactivation depends on the device type. Mine was issued by the bank—just reinsert the card, and when 'TAG' appears, it's ready. No need to hit the highway; find an ETC service point in the city, and they can instantly activate it by scanning the device code with their handheld unit. Cardless devices are even simpler: press the bottom button for 5 seconds until you hear a long beep. Remember to use special adhesive when reattaching; regular double-sided tape won’t hold firmly on the windshield. If the battery drains quickly in winter, you might need to recharge it a bit.
