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Agni
Rank 1
October 18, 2022
Solved

Electricity blackouts in our area - can't top up prepayment key meter as my In Home Display is blank?

  • October 18, 2022
  • 15 replies
  • 5024 views

Hello, everyone. I have an issue with the electricity reader. There were several blackouts last week in our area. Yesterday I wanted to top up the electricity as I have prepayments and noticed that the reader shows NOTHING on its display. So I cannot top up it. I am afraid I will run out of the electricity soon. I tried to reach the support of the company, but after waiting for nearly 20 minutes they just cut the call off.  Any suggestions, please? And thank you for your time to reply.

Best answer by Blastoise186

Updated on 13/08/26 by Ben_OVO

Hi @Agni ,

This is quite common with Prepayment Meters I’m afraid. Don’t panic though. Your meter is in Free Vend Mode for now and will NOT disconnect. Nor will it use up any credit for now. You’ll have unlimited credit until the meter is fixed, but you’ll need to pay it back later so I’d recommend setting the money aside for now.

 

Keep trying to get in touch for now, you will get through eventually. If you do go off-supply and need the power back on urgently, call 105 for assistance.

 

You might also want to consider upgrading to Smart Meters to avoid this problem in the future.

 

As for making the repayments, you’ll get two options. You can either pay back all the money owed in one go, or pay it back over time through the meter at a rate agreed with your supplier. Or a combination of both. Either way works.

 

Hope this helps!

For more info about your Pay As You Go account, check out our PAYG Forum Library section. There are also tons of helpful resources and information available on our OVO Help pages.  

 

If you or anyone in your household is vulnerable, or just needs a little extra assistance at a difficult time in your lives, our Priority Services Register is a free support service you might find useful.

15 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super UserSolved
Super User
October 18, 2022

Updated on 13/08/26 by Ben_OVO

Hi @Agni ,

This is quite common with Prepayment Meters I’m afraid. Don’t panic though. Your meter is in Free Vend Mode for now and will NOT disconnect. Nor will it use up any credit for now. You’ll have unlimited credit until the meter is fixed, but you’ll need to pay it back later so I’d recommend setting the money aside for now.

 

Keep trying to get in touch for now, you will get through eventually. If you do go off-supply and need the power back on urgently, call 105 for assistance.

 

You might also want to consider upgrading to Smart Meters to avoid this problem in the future.

 

As for making the repayments, you’ll get two options. You can either pay back all the money owed in one go, or pay it back over time through the meter at a rate agreed with your supplier. Or a combination of both. Either way works.

 

Hope this helps!

For more info about your Pay As You Go account, check out our PAYG Forum Library section. There are also tons of helpful resources and information available on our OVO Help pages.  

 

If you or anyone in your household is vulnerable, or just needs a little extra assistance at a difficult time in your lives, our Priority Services Register is a free support service you might find useful.

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    Newcomer
    Gallag
    Newcomer
    October 22, 2022

    Hi I have key meter old .....my meter is reading d2.......when I tried to top up with key....it would not work......and I can not locate an emergency number 

     

     

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    October 22, 2022

    Hi @Gallag ,

    Depending on the meter, this means either one of two things.

    D2 can either be you’re not putting enough credit onto the key to bring you out of Emergency Credit (which would just leave you disconnected) or there’s a problem with the key. Try going back to the shop and topping up the key again in case that helps.

    Otherwise, you’ll need to contact your supplier for help with the key.

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    Newcomer
    Gallag
    Newcomer
    October 22, 2022

    Thanks I did all that but it will not let me top up when I go to paypoint.

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    October 22, 2022

    In that case, the key is probably dead. You’ll need to request a new one.

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    Newcomer
    Gallag
    Newcomer
    October 22, 2022

    Thank you I will have to wait till Monday. 😊 

    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    October 24, 2022

    Hey @Gallag,

     

    Is this all sorted now?

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    Newcomer
    David roberts
    Newcomer
    December 6, 2022

    Hi I'm a pay as you go customer I use a key to top up but after a recent power cut in my local area I have no display appearing on electric meter,still got electric but know I was on £6 emergency Monday and should have run out by now. Any info on how to fix this as I don't know how much electric is left or being used thanks

    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    December 6, 2022

    Hey @David roberts ,

    This is really common with PAYG meters but don’t panic. It’s in Free Vend Mode for now and you have unlimited credit until you can get an engineer out. You’ll need to pay it back later.

    Please call Boost and they can get someone out to you ASAP.

    Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
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    Newcomer
    David roberts
    Newcomer
    December 6, 2022

    Ok thanks for info struggling to get any from anywhere. Just getting worried electric will go then I will be unable to top up or credit bill will run to high and I can't afford to pay all at once. Thanks again for assistance.

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