Power the e-Bike entirely off, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. If the battery is removable, remove it briefly, reinstall firmly until it clicks, and restart.
TQ E-Bike Error Codes: What They Mean and How to Fix Them
Written by: Chris Van Leuven | January 28, 2026 | Time to read 6 min
TQ e-Bike error codes (100–170) explained: what they mean, quick fixes, and when to visit a TQ dealer.
More about the Author: Chris Van Leuven
Chris is a writer, climber, and founder of Yosemite E-Biking in Mariposa, CA. When he’s not tackling Sierra Foothills trails or scaling rock walls, he’s crafting adventure stories with his boxer, Fenster. His work has appeared in Outside, Men’s Journal, Gripped, and Best American Sports Writing.
Error codes have a talent for showing up at the worst possible moment. The good news is that most TQ warnings are the system protecting itself, not your e-Bike tapping out for good.
German electronics and mechatronics company TQ-Group’s e-Bike division (TQ-E-Bike) is built around a simple idea: lightweight, quiet, and clean-looking. Their compact mid-drive systems are designed to blend into the frame so the bike still rides (and looks) like a high-end analog bike, just with extra support when you want it.
TQ systems are integrated networks: drive unit, battery, display/remote, sensors, and software all communicate with each other. If one component detects an issue like heat, excessive current, a communication timeout, or a sensor reading problem, the system responds by reducing assist or displaying an error.
One quick reality check: some bikes show “TQ 100–170” style labels, while others show “ERR 04xx” codes on the display. The sections below use the TQ 100–170 shorthand, with common matching ERR codes shown as examples from TQ display documentation.
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Quick reset checks
Before you chase numbers, do a fast “common sense” pass. A lot of one-off error codes come from basic stuff: the battery wasn’t fully seated, a connector got tugged during transport, or a speed sensor magnet drifted just enough to confuse the system.
Try this first: Do a clean power cycle—turn the e-Bike fully off, wait 10 seconds, then restart. If the battery is removable, pop it out for a moment, reinstall it firmly until it clicks, and restart again.
Quick check: Scan for a pinched cable or half-seated connector (especially at the head tube and along the downtube), and if you’ve got a speed sensor and spoke magnet, make sure the magnet hasn’t rotated and the gap is still tight.
When to stop DIY: If you smell hot electronics, see melted plastic, or the battery looks swollen, stop testing immediately—and don’t keep riding.
Complete List of TQ Electric Bike Error Codes
TQ 100: memory error
What it is: a drive unit memory fault (often shown as ERR 041D: Drive Unit memory error).
Try this: Do a clean reboot (full power off, wait, power on).
When to stop DIY: If it comes right back after a clean restart, this is usually dealer-diagnostic territory.
Error code TQ 110: software error
What it is: a software or firmware issue (often shown as ERR 042B: General software error or ERR 047A: General software error).
Try this first: Reboot once.
A real-world note: If the bike was recently updated, paired, or serviced, software errors can pop up right after a change.
When to stop DIY: If it keeps returning, a dealer can verify firmware status and pull the event log.
Error code TQ 120: overcurrent
What it is: the drive unit is seeing too much current (often ERR 0445 or ERR 047D: Drive Unit overcurrent error).
What it usually feels like: It shows up under load—steep mountain biking, heavy cargo, low cadence, or high assist.
Try this first: Reboot, then restart at a lower gear and spin at a higher cadence. Avoid motor “stall” moments—don’t start uphill in a big gear, and don’t grind at very low cadence in max assist.
When to stop DIY: If it keeps happening even when you’re riding lighter (easy gear and higher cadence), get it checked.
Error code TQ 130: over-temperature
What it is: the drive unit is outside its permissible operating temperature (often ERR 0451 or ERR 047F: Drive Unit overtemperature error).
Try this first: Power down and let it cool (shade helps). On the next go, keep cadence higher and gearing easier.
When to stop DIY: If it returns quickly in normal conditions after cooling and restarting, bring it in.
Error code TQ 140: display initialization
What it is: the display didn’t initialize correctly (often ERR 0418: Display initialization error).
Try this first: Reboot, then check the obvious stuff you can safely check—battery seating, any visible plugs, and cable routing near the cockpit and head tube.
When to stop DIY: If it persists, it’s typically a connection, display, or software issue that a shop can confirm quickly.
Error code TQ 150: communication failure
What it is: components aren’t talking cleanly (often ERR 0498: Peripheral communication error or ERR 04A0: CAN-Bus communication error).
Try this first: Reboot, then if you can access it safely, check for dirt or debris around the charging port area (TQ calls this out on certain communication faults). Reseat the battery if it’s removable.
When to stop DIY:
- If communication codes repeat, it’s usually harness/connector/diagnostic territory.
Error code TQ 160: sensor failure
What it is: a sensor reading isn’t coming through correctly—most commonly ERR 049B (cadence sensor error), ERR 049C (torque sensor error), or ERR 04A8 (speed sensor error).
Try this first: Reboot. For speed sensor errors, check the magnet-to-sensor alignment and clearance, and ensure the magnet hasn’t rotated.
When to stop DIY: If cadence or torque sensor errors return right after a restart, it’s time for diagnostics.
Error code TQ 170: battery not detected
What it is: often a communication or initialization issue rather than a “missing battery,” such as ERR 0465 (battery communication error timeout) or ERR 0475 (battery initialization error).
Try this first: Power off, reseat the battery, and restart. Inspect the contacts and fitment—anything that prevents a solid connection can trigger this.
When to stop DIY: If it keeps happening, it may be a battery-side, harness-side, or drive-unit-side issue, and a dealer is the fastest path.
When to stop DIY
A simple rule: if you’ve done two clean restarts and a basic battery and connector check, and the same error returns immediately, stop burning time—bring it in.
Go straight to a shop if assist cuts in and out unpredictably, you’re seeing repeated battery communication or initialization faults, or you notice corrosion, water inside a port, burnt smells, melted plastic, or damaged wiring.
What to tell the shop (saves time and money): the exact code (or a photo), when it happens (startup, climbing, random cutout), battery percentage at the time, and anything that changed recently—transport, rain or wash, a firmware or app update, or an accessory install.
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How to prevent repeat errors
Most prevention is unsexy, but it works. Keep connectors clean and dry, and avoid pressure washing around the motor, battery, and ports. If the bike gets wet, let it dry before charging. On long climbs, shift earlier and spin a higher cadence—low RPM in high assist is the quickest way to spike heat and current. And if you transport the bike often, do a quick cable-and-connector check around the head tube afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reset a TQ e-Bike system?
Is it safe to keep riding with an error code?
Sometimes. If the code clears and the assist feels normal, you can usually ride home gently. But if the code comes right back, assist keeps cutting out, or you’re seeing repeated over-temp/overcurrent or battery communication faults, back off and get it checked out.
Why do TQ errors show up on steep climbs?
Because climbs stack the exact combo motors hate: low cadence, hard gear, high assist. That spikes current and builds heat fast. Downshift early, spin higher, and treat assist like support, not a tow strap.
Key Takeaways
- TQ error codes usually mean the system is protecting itself, not that your e-Bike is toast.
- Start with the basics: complete a power-off restart, properly reseat the battery, and perform a quick connector and sensor check, especially after transport.
- Overcurrent and over-temperature faults are often riding-load problems: easier gear, higher cadence, less grinding.
- If the same code returns after a couple of clean restarts, especially if it's memory/software-related or if communication/battery faults are recurring, skip the guesswork and visit a TQ-capable dealer.
