Growatt Inverter Support — Error 04, Error 117 & ShinePhone Faults
Error 04, Error 117, ShinePhone offline, isolation faults — we diagnose Growatt inverters at the engineering level. Remote-first using ShineServer data and fault code logs. Independent from Growatt and your original installer.
Error 04, Error 117, ShinePhone offline — we diagnose Growatt systems remotely in a single session.
Book Remote Diagnostic — from £75 → See the Solar Health PlanSafety: If you have Error 04 (insulation fault), do not attempt to reset the system without identifying the cause — isolate at the DC switch.
Common Growatt problems we diagnose
Every fault below has a proven diagnostic path. Click through for the specific page or book a diagnostic if you're unsure.
The inverter has detected that DC isolation has dropped below 1MΩ. This is a genuine safety event — not a nuisance trip. Common causes: cracked panel backsheet, damaged DC cable, water in a junction box or connector. Requires on-site investigation.
See Error 04 guide →AC voltage at the grid connection has exceeded the G98/G99 upper limit. Common in solar-dense streets. Temporary self-clearing, or requires export limit configuration, DNO notification, or voltage regulation settings.
See Error 117 guide →DC insulation resistance has dropped below 1 megaohm. The inverter shuts down as a safety measure. Causes include MC4 water ingress, UV-damaged cables, cracked junction boxes, and rodent damage. Requires IR testing to locate the fault.
See isolation fault guide →Inverter powered but generating nothing. Could be a DC string fault, isolator not closed, or protection trip not yet cleared. Check the ShinePhone app for error codes and the ShineTools log.
See diagnostic guide →App shows no data or inverter appears disconnected. Could be the WiFi logger (ShineWiFi or ShineLink) offline, a cloud-side ShineServer outage, or the logger hardware failed. The inverter may still be generating.
See diagnostic guide →The ShineWiFi stick or ShineLink module requires 2.4GHz WiFi. After a router change, it needs reconfiguring via the ShineTools app or web interface. We guide you through the reconnection process.
See diagnostic guide →ShinePhone shows power output below expectations. Could be a string performing at reduced capacity, soiled panels, or a configuration error. We review ShineServer historical data to identify the fault pattern.
See diagnostic guide →New homeowner needing to register the system, or taking over a system registered to an installer's account? Covers first-time setup, orphaned account transfers, and what to send to Growatt UK to reclaim access.
See setup guide →Growatt fault code index
Growatt error codes appear on the inverter LED display and in the ShinePhone app. Common codes: Error 04 (insulation failure), Error 117 (grid over-voltage), Error 107 (grid frequency out of range), Error 025 (DC bus voltage high). Share your exact code when you book — we identify the root cause as part of the remote diagnostic.
What we do for Growatt owners
Remote Growatt Diagnostic
We review ShineServer data, inverter settings, and fault history to identify the exact fault remotely.
Growatt System Recovery
Installer gone bust, ShineServer access lost, or monitoring never set up correctly? We recover access and rebuild documentation.
On-Site Growatt Repair
Isolation fault investigation, DC cable fault location, CT clamp correction, component replacement.
Growatt datasheets, manuals & warranty PDFs
Download datasheets, installation manuals and warranty documents for Growatt MIN, MID, MOD and SPH hybrid inverters. Self-hosted and always current.
Growatt fault code index
Seeing an error code on your Growatt inverter? Our fault code index explains what each code means, common causes, and safe next steps.
About Growatt systems — what you need to know
Growatt is one of the UK's most widely installed inverter brands — particularly popular with budget-conscious installers. The MIC, MIN, and MOD series cover residential string inverter installations. The SPH and SPA series are hybrid inverters with battery integration capability. All Growatt inverters display fault codes numerically on the front LED panel and report them to the ShineServer cloud via the ShineWiFi or ShineLink logger. Growatt's ShinePhone app provides remote monitoring and fault history access.
The most common Growatt searches we handle are: Growatt Error 04, Growatt Error 117, Growatt ShinePhone offline, Growatt not producing, and Growatt isolation fault. Error 04 is particularly common in older installations where panel connectors or cable insulation have degraded — it is a genuine safety event, not a nuisance fault. STS provides independent Growatt support across the UK — not affiliated with Growatt Technology Co. Ltd.
Growatt questions answered
Error 04 on a Growatt inverter is an insulation resistance failure. The inverter has detected that the DC isolation between the solar panels and ground has dropped below the safe threshold (1MΩ). It is a safety protection — the inverter will not run until the fault is cleared. Causes include a faulty panel, damaged DC cable, or water ingress into a connector or junction box. Book a diagnostic — we'll identify the source of the fault remotely in most cases.
Error 117 is a grid over-voltage protection trip. The AC voltage at the inverter terminals has exceeded the G98/G99 limit (typically 253V in the UK). This is common in areas with dense solar installations where solar export raises the local grid voltage. The inverter disconnects to protect the grid. We can configure export limiting to prevent repeat trips, or notify the DNO if grid reinforcement is needed.
Causes include: the WiFi logger (ShineWiFi or ShineLink) losing its connection, the router password changed, ShineServer cloud-side outage, or the logger hardware has failed. The inverter may still be generating even when the app shows offline — see the ShinePhone offline fault card above for diagnostic steps.
No. Error 04 means the system has detected a reduction in electrical isolation between the PV panels and earth. Running through this fault risks electric shock. The inverter shuts down as a safety measure. Do not override it — identify and fix the cause first. Isolate the system and book an inspection — we assess remotely where possible.
STS supports all major inverter and battery brands — not just Growatt. If you have a mixed-brand system or are comparing options, visit the brand hub.
Browse all 19 brands →Ready to fix your Growatt system?
Tell us what's happening. We'll review your details and come back with a clear diagnosis path — usually same day.