What Does 'ETC Card Tag Invalid' Mean?
2 Answers
ETC card tag invalid means the device is currently unavailable and needs to be reinstalled and reactivated at the original processing point or any highway ETC service center. The ETC installation process is as follows: Upon receiving the device, first check if the ETC card and electronic tag (OBU) are damaged. Press the anti-tamper button on the back of the OBU; a red light will briefly illuminate, and the OLED screen will display "Tag Invalid" or "Please Insert Card," indicating the device is functioning normally. Clean the front windshield, ensuring the surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then, peel off the protective film on the back of the OBU and stick it to the installation location. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front facing the driver and the back facing the windshield, ensuring the chip is inserted into the OBU device. ETC activation method: Insert and remove the ETC card twice in succession until the electronic tag screen displays "Bluetooth On." If the screen shows "Tag Invalid" when inserting and removing twice without the electronic tag attached, this is normal and does not affect activation. Alternatively, press the button on the top of the electronic tag to enable Bluetooth. Turn on your phone's Bluetooth and open the corresponding mobile app (usually a download QR code is provided on the electronic tag), then navigate to the device activation interface. Click "Device Connection" and wait patiently for the "Connection Successful" prompt. Once connected, upload a photo of the vehicle's front to complete activation.
I just encountered this issue, so let me briefly explain. An ETC card tag failure usually means there's a problem with the small box stuck on the windshield—it could be that the battery inside is dead or the antenna is loose, causing it to fail to read your card. Last time, when I was driving through the toll station, it suddenly showed "failure," and I had to pay manually, which was super annoying. Later, I went to a repair shop and found out it was due to an aging battery. After replacing it, everything worked again. I recommend everyone regularly check that little device to avoid last-minute failures and unnecessary expenses from queuing at toll stations. Also, prolonged exposure to sunlight or vibrations can cause tag issues, so try to park in shaded areas when possible. If you can't fix it yourself, getting it checked at a professional service point is the safest bet—don't mess around with it randomly.
