If a Hope65 Series Smart AC Drive / VFD display is ON but the motor is not running, first check whether the drive has an active fault, whether the RUN command is coming from the correct command source, and whether the selected frequency source is giving a frequency above 0 Hz.
For the first test, set the drive to keypad command, select digital frequency setting, set a low frequency such as 5 Hz to 10 Hz, and press RUN. If the motor runs from keypad, the drive and motor are basically functional and the issue is usually external wiring, terminal logic, analog reference, PLC/RS485 command, or parameter configuration.
Stop troubleshooting and contact technical support if there is smoke, burning smell, visible damage, repeated fault after reset, incorrect supply voltage, suspected short circuit, unsafe wiring, or uncertainty about electrical measurements.
Only trained and qualified electrical personnel should inspect wiring, terminals, motor cables, braking resistor wiring, or panel components.
Before touching wiring or terminals, switch off all input power, wait at least 10 minutes, and confirm that the DC bus voltage has discharged to a safe level. Do not change wiring while power is ON.
This article helps diagnose a Hope65 Series Smart AC Drive / VFD when the motor does not rotate or does not respond correctly to RUN commands. The issue may be caused by power wiring, motor wiring, command source mismatch, frequency source mismatch, start frequency settings, terminal input logic, external stop/fault input, analog signal loss, RS485 command settings, motor overload, or mechanical blockage.
The purpose is to separate the problem into two categories: drive/motor side problem and control-command problem. The fastest method is to test the motor from keypad at a low frequency. If keypad operation works, the issue is normally outside the drive power stage and should be checked in the command source, terminal wiring, analog input, communication settings, or external logic.
01 Check StatusConfirm display, fault status, RUN indication, frequency display, output current, and keypad response. | 02 Test KeypadRun at 5–10 Hz from keypad to prove the drive, motor cable, motor, and load basics. | 03 Check ControlIf keypad works, check terminal logic, analog input, PLC command, RS485 command, and protection inputs. |
| Product Series | Slanvert Hope65 Series Smart AC Drive / VFD |
| Typical Symptom | Display ON but motor not rotating, keypad RUN not working, terminal start not working, output frequency remains 0 Hz, motor hums but does not rotate, or motor starts only in jog/keypad mode. |
| Control Methods Covered | Keypad, terminal start/stop, analog input, potentiometer, PLC control, RS485 / Modbus command, and jog operation. |
| User Level | Qualified electrical technician, maintenance engineer, panel builder, machine integrator, or automation engineer. |
Use this workflow to identify whether the problem is caused by the VFD, motor, wiring, parameter settings, or external control logic.
01 Display ON?
| → | 02 Fault Active?
| → | 03 Keypad Test
|
04 No Keypad Run?
| → | 05 Keypad Works?
| Diagnostic Rule: If the motor runs from keypad but not from external control, the likely cause is command source, frequency source, digital input wiring, analog reference, PLC/RS485 command, or terminal active logic. | |
“Motor not running” can mean several different conditions. Select the closest symptom before changing parameters.
| Symptom | Most Likely Area | First Check |
|---|---|---|
| Display is OFF | Input power / supply wiring / internal damage | Measure input voltage at L1/L2 or R/S/T and verify model voltage class. |
| Display is ON but RUN key does nothing | Command source mismatch | Check F0-21 command source selection. |
| RUN indication appears but frequency stays 0 Hz | Frequency source / frequency command / lower limit / start frequency issue | Check F0-02, F0-01, F1-02, and selected frequency reference. |
| Frequency rises but motor does not rotate | Motor wiring, motor fault, load jam, mechanical brake, weak torque | Check U/V/W wiring, motor shaft, brake release, output current, and motor nameplate settings. |
| Motor runs from keypad but not from terminal | Terminal command logic / DI wiring / NPN-PNP source-sink setup | Check F0-21, F6 input settings, terminal command mode, DI active mode, and 24V/COM wiring. |
| Motor runs from keypad but not from analog speed reference | AI wiring / jumper / frequency source / scaling | Check F0-02, AI jumper, 0–10 V or 4–20 mA signal, GND reference, and AI curve. |
| Motor runs from keypad but not from RS485 | Communication command / Modbus settings / RS485 wiring | Check communication command source, slave address, baud rate, parity, A/B polarity, and master command. |
Before changing parameters, check whether the drive is in fault state, stop state, standby state, terminal stop state, external fault state, or communication command state. If a fault is active, the motor will not run until the cause is corrected and the fault is reset.
| What to Check | Meaning | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Fault code on keypad | Drive is blocked by protection. | Record the code, check cause, correct issue, then reset. |
| RUN indicator | Shows whether a run command is being accepted. | If no RUN status, check command source and start command path. |
| Set frequency | The requested speed reference. | If 0 Hz, check frequency source and speed command. |
| Output frequency | Actual output frequency delivered by the drive. | If 0 Hz while RUN is commanded, check start frequency, stop input, and frequency reference. |
| Output current | Shows whether the motor is drawing current. | If current is high and motor does not rotate, suspect mechanical jam, brake, or motor fault. |
The keypad test is the most important separation test. It removes PLC, external switches, analog reference, RS485 commands, and field wiring from the first diagnosis. Do this only when wiring and safety checks are complete.
F0-21 Command Source Set to operation panel / keypad command for first test. | F0-02 Frequency Source Set to digital frequency setting for controlled local speed reference. | F0-01 Preset Frequency Set 5.00 Hz to 10.00 Hz for first motor rotation check. |
| Keypad Test Result | Meaning | Next Action |
|---|---|---|
| Motor runs correctly | Drive, motor, output wiring, and basic motor/load condition are likely OK. | Troubleshoot terminal command, analog reference, PLC, RS485, or external wiring. |
| Drive accepts RUN but output frequency stays 0 Hz | Speed command may be zero, blocked, or below start frequency. | Check F0-01, F0-02, F1-02, lower-limit behavior, and selected speed source. |
| Output frequency rises but motor does not rotate | Motor/load/mechanical issue, motor wiring issue, or insufficient torque. | Check motor cable, motor brake, load jam, output current, motor parameters, and control mode. |
| Drive trips immediately | Short circuit, ground fault, overcurrent, wrong wiring, motor fault, or wrong motor/load setup possible. | Record fault code and stop repeated resets. Inspect motor cable and motor insulation. |
If the motor does not start when pressing RUN on the keypad, the drive may not be listening to the keypad. The command source determines where the RUN/STOP command is accepted from.
| F0-21 Setting | Command Source | Expected Behavior |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Operation panel / keypad command | RUN/STOP from keypad should control the drive. |
| 1 | Terminal command | External DI terminals control start/stop. Keypad RUN may not start the motor. |
| 2 | Communication command | RS485 / Modbus master must send run command. Keypad RUN may not start the motor. |
The drive can receive the speed command from digital setting, analog input, pulse input, multi-speed, PLC logic, PID, or communication. If the selected source is not giving a valid speed command, the drive may accept RUN but output 0 Hz.
| Selected Frequency Source | Possible Reason for 0 Hz | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Digital setting | Preset frequency is 0 Hz or lower than start frequency. | Check F0-01 and F1-02. |
| AI1 analog input | No voltage/current signal, wrong jumper, wrong GND, broken shield, or wrong scaling. | Measure AI signal and check 0–10 V / 4–20 mA configuration. |
| Pulse input | No pulse, wrong DI terminal, or wrong pulse configuration. | Check pulse input terminal and signal frequency. |
| Multi-speed | Digital input combination selects zero or undesired speed. | Check DI status and multi-speed table values. |
| PID | PID output is zero because feedback/setpoint logic is not satisfied. | Check PID setpoint, feedback, sleep/wake settings, and process signal. |
| Communication | Modbus master has not written speed reference or communication is not working. | Check RS485 wiring, baud rate, address, parity, and write command. |
A common hidden cause of “RUN command accepted but motor does not start” is start frequency configuration. If the target frequency is lower than the start frequency, the drive can remain in standby instead of executing the start command.
| Parameter | Function | Troubleshooting Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| F1-02 | Start frequency | For first test, keep the target frequency above this value. Do not set test frequency lower than start frequency. |
| F1-03 | Start frequency hold time | If set long, the drive may hold at start frequency before accelerating further. |
If the drive shows output frequency but the motor does not rotate, check the output wiring, motor connection, motor brake, and load condition.
Hope65 Drive Output U / V / W
| → | Three-Phase Motor Motor + Load
| + | Grounding PE Safety Ground
|
| Check | Pass Condition | Problem Indication |
|---|---|---|
| Motor connected to U/V/W | Motor cable is connected only to drive output terminals. | Loose terminal, wrong connection, broken motor lead, or bypass wiring problem. |
| Motor shaft free to rotate | Shaft/load can move safely by design. | Mechanical jam, locked bearing, gearbox problem, or engaged brake. |
| Motor brake released | Brake receives correct release signal before motor torque is required. | Motor hums or draws current but does not rotate. |
| Output current during RUN | Current should be reasonable for low-speed test. | Very high current with no rotation suggests jam, wrong motor data, or motor fault. |
If the motor runs from keypad but not from external terminals, the VFD power stage and motor are probably functional. The problem is usually terminal command source, DI wiring, active mode, source/sink selection, two-wire/three-wire logic, or external stop/fault input.
F0-21 = 1 Terminal Command Drive listens to DI terminal start/stop logic instead of keypad RUN. | F6 Inputs DI Function DI1/DI2/DI3 functions must match run, direction, reset, or three-wire logic. | F6 Mode 2-Wire / 3-Wire Terminal command mode must match switch/button wiring method. |
| Terminal Mode | How It Works | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Two-wire mode 1 | Forward/reverse determined by DI1/DI2 command state. | Both forward and reverse are active or both inactive, so the drive stops. |
| Two-wire mode 2 | DI1 is run enable; DI2 determines direction. | DI1 is not active, so the drive never receives run enable. |
| Three-wire mode 1 | Enable/stop and momentary start buttons are used. | Stop/enable circuit is open, so start button has no effect. |
| Three-wire mode 2 | Enable, run command, and direction selection are separated. | Button wiring does not match selected terminal mode. |
If the motor runs from keypad but not from analog speed reference, check the analog signal wiring and frequency source. The drive must be configured to use analog input as the frequency source, and the analog input must receive a valid voltage or current signal.
| Check | Expected Condition | Issue If Wrong |
|---|---|---|
| F0-02 | Frequency source set to AI1 or required analog source. | Drive ignores analog signal and stays at other frequency source. |
| AI jumper | Voltage mode for 0–10 V or current mode for 4–20 mA. | Signal scaling becomes incorrect or unreadable. |
| AI signal | Measure valid voltage/current between AI and GND. | If 0 V or 0 mA, speed command may remain 0 Hz. |
| Shielding and cable route | Analog wiring should be shielded and away from motor cables. | Unstable speed, random frequency change, or noise-related behavior. |
If the motor runs from keypad but does not start from PLC, HMI, SCADA, or Modbus master, check communication settings and command source. RS485 control needs correct wiring, communication parameters, drive address, and valid command write from the master.
| Check | Required Condition | Common Problem |
|---|---|---|
| Command source | Set to communication command when PLC/HMI must start the drive. | Drive is still in keypad or terminal command mode. |
| Frequency source | Set to communication if PLC/HMI must send speed reference. | Run command is sent but frequency remains 0 Hz. |
| RS485 A/B wiring | A to A, B to B according to master/device convention. | A/B reversed or loose terminal prevents communication. |
| Address / baud / parity | Master and drive settings must match. | No response or illegal response from drive. |
| Command write | Master must write valid run command and valid speed reference. | Communication is present but command value is wrong. |
If the drive output frequency increases but the motor does not rotate, the issue may be mechanical, motor-side, or torque-related. Do not continue increasing frequency until the cause is found.
| Observation | Likely Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Output current high, motor not rotating | Mechanical jam, brake not released, locked rotor, overloaded motor | Stop test. Check load, brake, shaft, gearbox, and motor condition. |
| Output current very low, motor not rotating | Motor not connected, open motor phase, wiring issue | Check U/V/W wiring, motor cable, and motor terminal box. |
| Motor hums but does not start | Weak torque, wrong motor parameters, brake/load problem, single phase at motor | Check motor nameplate data, wiring, brake, and load. Test unloaded if safe. |
| Motor starts then trips | Acceleration too short, load too heavy, motor data wrong, overcurrent protection | Increase acceleration time, verify motor data, check load torque. |
| Cause | Typical Sign | Corrective Action |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong command source | Keypad RUN does not work when drive expects terminal/communication. | Set F0-21 according to required control method. |
| Wrong frequency source | RUN command accepted but 0 Hz output. | Set F0-02 to valid speed source and confirm reference is present. |
| Target frequency lower than start frequency | Drive remains standby and output frequency stays 0 Hz. | Set test frequency above F1-02 start frequency. |
| DI terminal logic mismatch | Terminal start does not work but keypad works. | Check F6 terminal functions, terminal command mode, active mode, and wiring. |
| Analog signal missing | Drive in AI mode but frequency remains 0 Hz. | Measure AI signal and check voltage/current jumper. |
| External stop/fault active | Drive refuses start or stops immediately. | Check DI functions for free stop, external stop, external fault, emergency stop, and active logic. |
| Mechanical brake not released | Motor draws current or hums but shaft does not rotate. | Check brake coil supply, brake contactor, brake timing, and mechanical release. |
| Motor/load jam | High current or trip during start. | Isolate load if safe and test motor unloaded. |
To reduce troubleshooting time, share the following information when contacting support:
Smidnya technical support can help review your wiring photos, motor nameplate, drive model, parameter settings, command method, and fault code to identify whether the issue is wiring, parameter setup, external control, motor, or load related.
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| Meta Description | Troubleshoot Hope65 Series Smart AC Drive / VFD motor not running issues. Covers keypad test, F0-21 command source, F0-02 frequency source, F1-02 start frequency, terminal start, analog input, RS485 Modbus, wiring, and motor/load checks. |
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