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No one likes seeing an error code on their APC, but this happens occasionally. So if you see the error code f02 on APC, learning what it means and how to resolve the issue are the best way to save yourself the headache if this happens again, and it probably will happen again at some point.
It can be incredibly frustrating when you use a device with an APC UPS (uninterruptible power supply) that isn’t working. There are several APC error codes, and APC f02 and APC f04 errors are the two most common, but we’ll focus on the error code f02 this time since many people experience this error.
We’ve compiled a guide to help you understand what the f02 error code on APC means and what you can do about it.
What Does f02 Mean on APC?
When you see the f02 error code on APC, the technical meaning is that the on-battery output is short. But what does this mean? Essentially, the battery is in the unit, but it’s not connecting to the attached device. You’re probably thinking you can solve this by removing and replacing the battery, but there are steps to take before you try that.
Fix APC f02 Error: Solutions
Now that you know what the f02 error code means, you can get to the root of the problem and resolve the error. Luckily, solving the f02 error code isn’t too challenging, as long as you know what you need to do. Here are the best solutions when APC shows this error code.
1. Just Power Off Your APC
As with most technology, the first thing you should do is power off your APC. When you power it off, it gives the device time to shut down and take a break. Sometimes, when you power it back on, the error code will likely be gone, and it will work like normal.
Unfortunately, not all situations will be resolved by simply turning the APC off and the back on. For example, if you power off the APC and turn it back on only to see the f02 error code, there are other steps you can take.
2. Remove the Power Cord From the Sector, and Keep the Battery
Once you’ve powered the APC back on and are still receiving the error code, you should remove the power cord from the sector. When you do this, be sure to keep the battery in place. Some people will tell you to remove the battery, but when you’re restarting the device, you don’t need to remove the battery. That’s a step you’ll take when resetting the APC, not restarting.
3. Press Constantly Power Button Until You Hear the Second Beep Signal
After you remove the power cord, you’ll want to press down on the power button constantly. You don’t want to press down and remove your finger and then press down again. You’ll want to keep your finger on the power button consistently.
Pressing the power button until you hear a beep triggers the APC to restart. You’ll keep pressing down on the power button until you hear the second beeping signal.
4. Let the APC Restart; It Will Mark the f02 Error Again
Once you hear the second beeping signal, you can remove your finger and let the APC restart. It shouldn’t take long for the APC to restart, and you’ll likely still see the f02 error code again. Don’t panic if you see this. You’re supposed to still see the f02 error code at this point.
5. Plug the Power Cord
After this step, you’ll want to replace the power cord with the appropriate outlets. It might seem obvious to mention this step, but we want to give as clear instructions as possible. You can’t restart the APC without plugging the power cord back in, and you won’t be able to see if the APC error f02 is gone without this step.
When plugging the power cord back in, make sure you choose an outlet that is a reliable power source for the device. Something else to keep in mind is that you’ll want to plug the power cord back in while the device is powered off. Again, this is the safest way for you and your device’s health.
6. Restart the APC
With the power cord plugged back into the APC and power outlet, you’re ready to restart your APC. You’ll do this by pressing the power button and letting the device reboot. If there aren’t any serious issues with your APC, this should solve your f02 error code situation.
After you’ve restarted your APC, if you’re still seeing the f02 error, you might need to consider resetting the APC backup.
How Do I Reset My APC?
Sometimes unplugging the power cord and restarting the APC won’t work. If you try the above steps and you’re still seeing the APC on-battery output short error code, you’ll want to try resetting the APC. Resetting your APC and restarting them is a little bit different. Here’s how you can reset your APC UPS:
- Disconnect all loads attached to the APC
- Unplug your APC UPS from the wall outlet
- Disconnect the APC’s internal battery
- Press and hold down the “on” button for about five seconds before letting go
- Reconnect the internal battery
- Plug the APC UPS into a high-quality power source
- Turn the APC on
The above steps should successfully reset your APC. Resetting the device can usually solve many of the error code issues you’ll experience with the APC UPS. However, if restarting and then resetting your device doesn’t work, you might have a more severe problem with the hardware. The best thing you can do is contact APC directly for assistance.
Why Is My APC Backup Product Beeping?
If your APC backup product is beeping, it only means one thing. The product beeping indicates that the battery is running low and will soon need to power off. If you’re wondering, “why is my APC battery backup blinking?” Blinking is another indicator that the battery is running low and will turn off soon.
When your APC backup is beeping, you’ll want to replace the battery or charge it as soon as possible so that it doesn’t shut off on you when you’re in the middle of something.
Conclusion
There are a lot of APC UPS error codes to learn about, but an APC UPS f02 error code isn’t a cause for too much concern. The f02 error on an APC just means that the battery is in the device, but it’s not connecting.
Now you might be asking yourself, “How do I fix the APC f04 error code?” As long as you follow the steps above, you should be able to resolve the APC f02 warning in no time.
FAQs
When you purchase your APC UPS, you have the option to pay for a warranty. The warranty will run from the date of purchase for a specified period. Of course, how long your warranty lasts depends, but if you’re unsure, you look at the serial number of your product or get in touch with APC directly to find out if you still have a warranty on the device.
Yes! You can change the APC battery while it’s running if you need to. The battery is hot-swappable, so you don’t have to power off your device to replace the battery. Being able to replace the battery while it’s running is very handy when you’re in the middle of work and don’t want to pause your day to replace the battery.
The cost of an APC UPS will vary. It depends on the specific product you purchase, the size, where you are buying it from, and which manufacturing year you choose. The newer models will almost always cost more than older ones, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $50 to nearly $1,000.
If you kept the receipt you received when you purchased your APC UPS, you should be able to see the warranty and how long it is on that. If you don’t, you can get in touch with APC directly for them to look up whether you have a warranty still on your device or look at the serial number.
Specific numbers will indicate what year and week it was made. This information can help you determine if you still have a warranty. For example, if you see the numbers 20 and then 16, that indicates APC made it in 2020 on the 16th week of the year.
