Problem topping up ZESA prepaid meter
A few days ago I encountered an interesting situation with regard to the ZESA prepaid electricity meter in my home. That is a situation that many, I dare say, could have encountered before. You know how load shedding has become a normal thing in Zimbabwe that ZESA now has a running schedule on its website? Well, this could have been a contributing factor to my embarrassing situation.
I forgot to top up ZESA prepaid meter
What happened was that I totally forgot to top up the prepaid ZESA electricity meter in my home. As everyone knows, those meters come with annoying alarms that make it almost impossible to forget. However, this time around, someone in my household woke up in the dead of the night and turned off the alarm.
As a result, I didn’t know that my electricity was about to give out. The next day, I woke up and discovered that someone had forgotten to turn off the electric stove in the kitchen. Fortunately, the thing no longer heats up as it used to, and there was no real danger of it burning anything.
However, it still meant that the stove ran for 8 hours after the sounding of the ZESA prepaid meter alarm that I had not heard.
A freaky streak of coincidences
In the morning, I left for work, oblivious to the fact that there was a problem with the electricity at home. Those that I left behind say an hour or so after I left, the electricity was abruptly cut off.
Now, as already mentioned, there has been a resurgence in load shedding in past few months, and they naturally thought that the whole neighborhood had been cut off.
Indeed, the situation stayed like that till I got back from work in the evening. When I arrived, they told me that ZESA had done it again, and we were in the middle of a particularly long bout of load shedding.
Everyone else had electricity
Anyway, it took me only a few minutes to realize that everyone else in the neighborhood had electricity. That’s when I got the confession that yes, indeed; the annoying alarm from the meter had sounded the previous night and had been turned off.
Buying ZESA Prepaid Electricity via ECOCASH
Ecocash has really proven to be convenient when it comes to buying such things as electricity and DSTV (once upon a time). There was a time a while back when people had problems buying ZESA via Ecocash. Fortunately, that was not the case on this particular day. To resolve the issue, I immediately bought prepaid electricity token via ECOCASH. That, as it turned out, was the easiest part.
ZESA Prepaid Meters wont be reloaded if there is no electricity
The ZESA prepaid electricity meters that are in our homes have backup batteries, so it shouldn’t be a problem to reload a token when the household has no electricity.
However, it turns out that things are not that simple. See, you wont be able to reload your ZESA if you do not have electricity in your home. That is what I discovered while trying to get the lights switched on in my home.
The electricity meter in your home just won’t connect to the network without a connection to an AC power source. That’s despite the fact that it will actually be on and running on battery power.
What did I do?
Anyway, to cut the story short, after a few minutes of struggle, I finally went next door to plug the meter into a power source. Fortunately, I have very good relations with my neighbors!
As soon as I plugged the thing into an AC power source, I was able to top up my account without a problem. In fact, the electricity had already been switched on by the time I got back home from gossiping with the neighbors.
So, once your electricity has run out, the ZESA prepaid electricity meters will not allow you to top-up without a connection to an AC outlet. That may be the reason why you are failing to load your ZESA meter.
My electricity won’t charge even after going to the neighbor as much as I still had zesa so what is the problem and the sad thing all your zesa call center number don’t get picked up I have had more than two days with no electricity this is pathetic
Hmmm. Make sure you are getting the number right. If you still have ZESA, there is no need to go to a neighbor. Otherwise you may need to get in touch with ZESA to hear what they have to say. I have ZESA contact details somewhere on this blog. Just carry out a search
Been failing to recharge it keeps saying failed ZESA got he report and said trey are coming a week who but still nothing
The electricity at this house was connected on 17 December for the first time & the meter is new, however, I am failing to buy a token since Thursday through ecocash or my bank (using my mobile phone)
Hey. Are you able to buy at those shops vanotengesa zesa? If not, you may have to get in touch with ZESA. Maybe you meter is not yet in their systems.
My meter is failing to react to any AC can’t l use my neighbors meter to do so
Probably not. In that case, you meter is probably dead. You need to take it to contact ZESA for help.
How did you eventually top up,I’m having the exact problem right now
In my case, it was a matter of going next door and toping up while the thing was connected to a power outlet. It won’t work on battery alone as the signal travels through the electricity wires.
My token is failing to credit bt if all other information it’s accurate just topping up is the one I’m facing challenges..what do I do I’m now left with 6kw
Better get in touch with ZESA if that’s the case.
My meter is dead , I’ve been calling Zesa faults but they are not coming to the rescue it’s been4 days now, is there any other way of entering credit without the meter???
Hey. You need to report your problem to the ZESA meter testing Section on (024) 2750469. They should be able to tell you what to do.
Hie i cant top up my meter it keeps on writing failed my kw is on 00 i used new batteries but still it cant wat do i do
If electricity has been switched off, then it doesn’t matter that you have new batteries. Signal is transmitted to ZESA via the ZESA lines and not wirelessly. So you need to go next door or elsewhere where there is electricity. If you still have power you need to report your problem to the ZESA meter testing Section on (024) 2750469. They should be able to tell you what to do.
Hie l’m failing to recharge my token getting error 77,how can l be assisted
Hi. You need to report to the meter testing section. Call 0772294887 Mr Chitembwe. He will tell you what to do.
Hey help… Ndatenga magetsi but chi meter hachisi kuratidza ma number pandiri kuchibaya its like cha freeza or what… Ndingava ndiri kutadza papi hama help
I hate darkness
Hmmm. Maybe try turning it on and off (always the solution for computer thingyses). Remove it from ku power outlet. Then reconnect. If you had run out power, go next door and connect it there. Then make your topup.
Failing to top up its saying failed after entering token. I have 10kw left what do i do
Make sure you are entering the correct digits. I assume you still have power in your home. If not, go next door with your meter. Otherwise, reach out to ZESA meter testing (024) 2750469
My zesa prepaid meter is showing dash dash when i switch it on so i can recharge my zesa token and the comms light will be on but it just writes time out then switches off. I am in darkness for 2 days now. What should i do
I have been trying to top up my meter but it keeps saying connection failed even after trying it next door. I have been calling zesa daily for 5days but i havent been assisted. is there another way i can recharge my zesa.I have had 5days without zesa im now desperate
Reach out to ZESA meter testing (024) 2750469. They may help you. Maybe they will ask you to bring the meter. I think their meter testing is at Coventry. You may try going or calling there for help
How long do I have to wait till my recently connected meter get registered into the system so I can be able to purchase zesa tokens. My initial free 50 units are about to deplete and I am worried.
Hmmm. You may want to reach out to the ZESA meter guys. I think that’s a Wayne Street?
My CIU has been dead for nearly a year now,did send a report,I even took it to them but,handina kuwana help,they told me kuti pakuda chimwe.Am I to pay for this chimwe kuti ndichiwane,cause ndri patsekwende chaiyo
Yah, kana vakati pakuda chimwe you probably need to look for a replacement. If you wait for Zesa, you will be without electricity forever. Long back, they used to supply everything. Now hapana hapana. Ese ma new locations people are contributing to buy their own equipment.
I have been using solar system for a year without using my zesa now my solar system is down and l when juice the meter is just saying null
Hmmm. You will have to reach out to ZESA. Check out the contact details on this website. Just search for ZESA contact details. You may have to take the meter somewhere or the other to get it fixed. Or maybe you can try juicing it from next door. It needs connectivity to active ZESA power for it to work.
In case you are disconnected, no need to go nextdoor, just put some batteries that turn on your metre, plug it to the wall and turn on. It will work 100%.
Okay. Thanks. When I went next door my neighbor was most amused. She is probably still talking about it months later. So, this is a good idea.
My recharge interface is missing and I have the tocken. What should I do
Hmmm. You will have to reach out directly to ZESA on that one. Search on this website for the ZESA contact details.
Am trying to enter my token asi number 5 irikunyora L,what should i do
Am trying to enter my token but number 5 irikubuditsa L,what should i do?
Hmmm. Uri pamaone wangu. Wambochidzima here chi meter chacho wombobvisa mabatter wombochigumha gumha maybe ma buttons aka sticker?
Hie my prepaid meter went blank last week,i reached out to zesa guys they came vakati we will give you another one but in the meantime just pinch your token numbers chinojusa chakadaro now my worry is how do i know kuti chajusa how do i check my balance to make sure kuti i stay connected.is there another way yekuona nayo balance yangu.
That’s a good question. I suppose ivo ve ZESA if you ask them they will be able to tell you kuti you have this amount remaining. The information should be in their systems. It’s unfortunate that the entire system is not really smart. In an ideal world, people should be having an app yekuti you can just open it to view your balances and to top up.
My meter was was not connected to power supply . So I ran out off electricity. And their are no batteries can I go next door to duice up
Yes go next door and you will be able to top up your ZESA prepaid meter
This is frustrating, mine keeps on saying failed after putting through the 20 digits… is it a network thing ? who do I call, does Zesa have a toll-free number to assist..
Kuna Wayne ndo kunowanzoitwa zvema meter
My meter is dead can i juice my token using another meter frim next door
Hmmm. Probably not. Wotoenda kuzesa wonobatsirwa ikoko
I have a new meter wc was installed on the 4th of March and l am failing to buy zesa token its just saying null or transaction failed what could be the problem please help
My zesa metre is showing Erro.p cnt juice or do anything what should I do
Get in touch with ZESA meter testing
i have got a problem with my prepaid meter so my question is what can be the cauz yekuti ndikajusa meter yangu magetsi anonyatsoitA asi paanozoyenda magetsi iwayo akazodzoka futi meter inobva yaburitsa red light alarm yotanga kurira.ndikadzokorora kujusa inobva yaita green pakare ndoshandisa asi magetsi aye anobva awedzera makilowats kudarika andakatenga.so i dont know kuti chingava chikonzero chei cauz magetsi acho haaperi kusvika ndazoisa rimwe token ndega ndaneta nekushandisa rekare.pliz help
Lol. Is that even a problem? Bake on brother…! And cook beans all day long. Seriously though, we will consult
Can i juice my prepare when m far from home
You can buy the token and sent to someone ari kumba. You need to be at the meter itself to enter the digits.
Trying buying zesa it’s asking for grade code what’s that
Failing to pay electricity it’s saying the payee has been barred as the receiver, what should I do
Mine seems to be stuck. It shows the green light but for whatever command it says failed. Now I’m in the dark and can’t load my token.. But when I connect it next door it shows the green light but still gives me failed
Failing to juice my meter, In the morning it had 174 units then manheru yabva yaenda pa24, something very strange because my hapana anenge aripamba. I then bought zesa units, after punching in digits its saying success but not showing the units I topped up, still showing the 24units and still flicking red after topping 300units. Please help
Imbochinja the power socket
Hie, I’m using EDMI meter and magetsi akadzima ndisipo. I bought a ZESA TOKEN but when I enter all the digits the ENTER key is not responding. What Should I Do?
Enda pa next door unojuicira ipapo. Take your meter and connect to their power outlet.
I’m trying to top up electricity bt it keep on saying failed?
Try another power socket for the meter.
I am failing.to top up my electricity. If I enter the token no the response is reject.
Remove the meter from the current socket and try another socket. That usually happens if there is not connection with ZESA
Hi. My meter for days just says “Connect” on screen. Bought token yesterday abd have been failing to juice. After putting token it writes “connect” then after a while “con-fail” now electricity has switched off and red light on
One solution is to change the socket where the meter is connected. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get connectivity so you can top up the device.
Zesa meters work best if they are plugged into your MAIN STOVE SOCKET, the one in your kitchen with a RED switch (this is the MAIN socket for the whole house. Zesa Meters don’t like other sockets or extensions and adapters – they MUST be plugged directly into the wall.
Hi my first initial free 50 units apera so ndokwanisa ku recharger my meter here if l buy my token
Yes
But unenge wakuchajwa at a higher rate. You can keep buying tokens pawadira but scale inokwira in terms of what you are paying
Good morning , can you please assist me!
l have a problem with my hexing meter if l load it , it says connect and later failed l can’t not load because of this connect/failed issues … its been two days and my units will rub out soon .
Move the meter to another socket in your home. THat usually works for me.
I got a to ken yesterday but by the time I wanted to put it in, the previous zesa ran out. When I try put the ticket in it just says failed. I am running the generator to give it power and tried multiple sockets but still keeps failing
Go next door and connect your meter there. It needs to run the information through the ZESA wires.
If I am buying a token and I need to furnish my meter number, why does ZESA not credit the bought units straight to my ZESA account? Why should I need to punch in the token digits into my meter again?
I think what you are describing would be possible with smart meters. It’s something about which I have also wondered. It would seem simpler to credit the account than to have it punched in using the meter.
Hi, my electricity has finished. Every time I try to juice ndiri ku next door irikungogumira pakuti Connect. There is no electricity at all. Magetsi will probably come back kuma 10pm saka it will be inappropriate to neighbours. Since you said they run on zesa wires. If I take my meter with can I be able to juice in another neighbourhood kune magetsi. Zvinoita here?
Hmmm, probably. Kana kusina magetsi you won’t be able to top up your meter because there will be no network connection. Am not too sure how far you need to be from your home though.
Been trying to juice up my zesa it keeps saying rejected or error. Been in the dark for days now todiiko nemazesa metre enyu aya
Chinjai socket pamakapfekera meter yacho. Try the ones throughout you home. If that fails, go next door
I bought my zesa token, tried to juice at my neighbour its keeps on saying failed. We didnt have electricity for a day. What can i do?
In my case I had to remove the cable and took out the batteries then reinserted them again and connect the cable and tried to enter the token it worked.
Zesa meters work best if they are plugged into your MAIN STOVE SOCKET, the one in your kitchen with a RED switch (this is the MAIN socket for the whole house. Zesa Meters don’t like other sockets or extensions and adapters – they MUST be plugged directly into the wall.