What is the reason for the ETC tag being invalid?

[ElenaMarie]

ETC displaying "Tag Invalid" indicates that the ETC electronic tag is not activated. You need to take the ETC device to an ETC service center or ETC service point for inspection. If the invalidation is not caused by human factors, simply performing a secondary activation of the ETC will allow it to be used. ETC installation process: 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; the red light will briefly turn on, and the OLED screen will display "Tag Invalid" or "Please Insert Card," indicating the device is functioning normally. Clean the front windshield to ensure the glass surface is smooth, clean, and dry. Then peel off the adhesive backing of the OBU and stick it to the installation position. Press firmly for 2-3 minutes to remove any air bubbles. Insert the ETC card with the front side facing the driver and the back side 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 inserting and removing the card twice while the tag is not attached shows "Tag Invalid," this is normal and does not affect activation. Alternatively, you can 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). Enter the device activation interface. Click "Connect Device" and wait patiently for the "Connection Successful" prompt. Once connected, upload a photo of the vehicle's front to complete activation.

[Noelle]

I just experienced an ETC tag failure last week! It was super awkward at the toll gate. A dead OBU device battery is the most common cause, especially after 3-5 years of use. Once, after my car baked in the sun all day, the ETC tag on the windshield came unglued and shifted, causing it to fail. Many devices now come with solar charging panels, but prolonged parking in underground garages can drain the battery. Also, keep an eye on your bank card status - expired credit cards or unpaid balances will make it stop working immediately. Last time, I forgot about my bank card's expiration date and nearly got honked to death by drivers behind me at the toll booth. My suggestion: first check if the tag shows any failure indication, then visit an ETC service point to get it fixed.

[SanMaria]

Last year, my colleague's ETC suddenly stopped working, and after a lot of hassle, we found out it was a credit card issue. Nowadays, ETC applications are all linked to bank cards. If the card expires, gets frozen, or is blacklisted by the bank, it can cause the tag to malfunction. In some cases, other electronic devices installed in the car, like certain dash cams, can interfere with the signal. Remember to install the ETC on the black grid area of the windshield, as metal films can block the signal. If the tag fails, don't panic—highways now have mixed lanes where you can still pass by taking a card. It's best to check your credit card statement and the tag status light every month.

[VanAlina]

Don't rush to remove the ETC device if it suddenly stops working. Last time my ETC showed a red light, it turned out the bank card wasn't inserted tightly during installation. Reinserting it fixed the issue. Another common scenario is driving too fast through the toll gate—speeds over 30 km/h can cause card reading failures. If the device has been removed or loosened, it must be reactivated, which requires a trip to the bank. In extremely cold weather, electronic components may malfunction; my ETC screen went black once at -15°C. Remember not to disassemble the device yourself—there's an anti-tamper switch on the back cover that, if triggered, will require a bank visit for reactivation.

[StRebecca]

If ETC malfunctions, check three key points first: whether the device is loose or displaced, if the battery indicator is functioning normally, and whether the bank card balance is sufficient. OBU devices have an expiration date and must be replaced upon expiry. Once, I accidentally bumped the device three centimeters out of place while washing my car, and it couldn't read data at all. In some cases, system upgrades cause compatibility issues, requiring a reinstallation of the program at a service point. Remember, after the 2023 transportation system upgrade, older devices experienced widespread failures. The new devices now come with Bluetooth functionality, allowing activation via smartphone, which is much more convenient.