What to Do When ETC is Disabled?
3 Answers
ETC being disabled is due to reasons such as unpaid fees, resulting in the ETC system blacklisting the vehicle. The owner can bring their original ID card, original vehicle registration certificate, and ETC card to the issuing bank's ETC service outlet to complete the ETC blacklist removal procedure as guided by the staff. Below are the corresponding solutions for different ETC restrictions: 1. If the ETC card has unpaid fees or other abnormal statuses, the outstanding fees must be settled first, then wait for the bank or issuing institution to remove the restriction within the specified time. 2. If there is a discrepancy between the ETC recorded vehicle information and the actual vehicle information, you can only update the information at the relevant ETC service outlet. 3. For special business cases, you need to contact the relevant issuing institution to apply for removal. 4. If the restriction is due to suspected evasion of toll fees, it is recommended to pay the outstanding fees as soon as possible, as delays may affect future travel or personal credit.
A few days ago, my ETC suddenly stopped working. In a panic, I immediately called the bank's customer service to inquire. They told me my account had insufficient balance and was temporarily frozen. I quickly topped up 500 yuan via mobile banking, but it still didn’t work. So, I made a trip to the ETC service center. The staff scanned the device and said the OBU unit had run out of power—these usually last five to six years, but mine had only been used for just over three years. Later, I got a new device and reactivated it, while also having them check the installation position on the windshield. A reminder to everyone: if your ETC stops working, first check your balance, then inspect the device’s indicator light—a flashing red light means it’s out of power. Also, remember to regularly clean the solar charging panel, and avoid placing it too close to metal frames, as that can interfere with signal reception.
Don't panic if your ETC gets disabled - it's usually due to insufficient account balance or device malfunction. Last week I dealt with this by first checking trip records on the mobile app, which showed the last few deductions failed before deactivation. After topping up the stored-value card, it still didn't work. Upon self-inspection after removing the device, I found the anti-tamper button on the back had popped out - likely loosened when the car washer cleaned my windshield last time. The technician at the service point mentioned many users trigger device lockouts by improper removal, requiring official reactivation. Advice: never tamper with the device yourself. If poor placement affects solar charging, always consult professionals for relocation.
