Verified EV diagnostic knowledge page

Tesla CP_a056

Charging stopped - Charge cable disconnected Close charge port - Press brake pedal and retry

Common search variants: CPa056 · CP-a056 · CP a056 · Search ignores case and common separators.

DriveNot yet established by verified evidence.
ChargeCharging has stopped when this alert is present. The documentation directs the driver to retry charging; whether charging can continue successfully is not yet established by verified evidence.
ServiceNot yet established by verified evidence.
Confidence95%

Quick answer

CP_a056 means charging stopped because the vehicle detected that the connection between the charge port and charge cable was unexpectedly interrupted. Tesla’s displayed instruction is: close the charge port, press the brake pedal, and retry.

This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.

Video guides

Watch Videos

Relevant videos play here without leaving this diagnostic page.

No sufficiently relevant embeddable video has been accepted for this diagnostic yet.

Videos are supporting material and never override OEM or regulator evidence.

1. What does CP_a056 mean?

CP_a056 means charging stopped because the vehicle detected that the connection between the charge port and charge cable was unexpectedly interrupted. Tesla’s displayed instruction is: close the charge port, press the brake pedal, and retry.

2. Technical explanation

Verified Tesla owner-documentation evidence filed with NHTSA describes CP_a056 as a charging interruption caused by an unexpectedly interrupted connection between the vehicle charge port and the charge cable. The alert text is: “Charging stopped - Charge cable disconnected Close charge port - Press brake pedal and retry.”

3. What system is affected?

Charging connection between the vehicle charge port and charge cable.

4. How serious is this code?

Unknown. The supplied verified evidence does not assign a severity level.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • Charging has stopped.
  • The vehicle displays CP_a056: “Charging stopped - Charge cable disconnected Close charge port - Press brake pedal and retry.”

6. Possible causes

  • The vehicle detected that the connection between the charge port and charge cable was unexpectedly interrupted.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Charging has stopped when this alert is present. The documentation directs the driver to retry charging; whether charging can continue successfully is not yet established by verified evidence.

9. What you can safely do

  • Before disconnecting a charge cable, first stop charging.
  • Close the charge port.
  • Press the brake pedal and retry charging.
  • Tesla documentation states that a Tesla Supercharger or Destination Charging location may be tried if the vehicle still does not charge.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Close the charge port, press the brake pedal, and retry, as stated in the alert.
  2. If charging does not resume, Tesla documentation states that trying a Tesla Supercharger or Destination Charging location may help distinguish an equipment issue from a vehicle issue; if the vehicle still does not charge, the issue may be with the vehicle.

11. When to contact service

Not yet established by verified evidence.

12. What the service center may check

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • NHTSA manufacturer communications include Tesla owner documentation describing CP_a056, including NHTSA communication 10250484 (published December 1, 2023): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250484-9999.pdf
  • Additional verified NHTSA-filed Tesla owner-documentation communications contain the same alert description, including 10253666 (published March 27, 2024): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2024/MC-10253666-9999.pdf

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Tesla owner-documentation evidence filed with NHTSA is the verified source for this alert. Example: NHTSA communication 10250484, https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10250484-9999.pdf. Supplied applicability evidence identifies US Tesla Model 3 (2013–2024), Model S (2012–2024), Model X (2016–2024), and Model Y (2020–2024), with overlapping year ranges in the source data.

19. Frequently asked questions

What does Tesla alert CP_a056 mean?

It means charging stopped because the vehicle detected that the connection between the charge port and charge cable was unexpectedly interrupted.

What does Tesla say to do for CP_a056?

Close the charge port, press the brake pedal, and retry. Before disconnecting a charge cable, first stop charging.

Can another charging location be tried?

Yes. Tesla documentation states that a Tesla Supercharger or Destination Charging location may be tried if the vehicle still does not charge.

Does CP_a056 confirm a vehicle fault?

No. Verified documentation says an interruption was detected at the charge-port/cable connection. It also states that if the vehicle still does not charge after trying another charging location, the issue may be with the vehicle.

20. Sources & verification

Accepted ResearchVerified
Show all 58 verified sources
Tesla CP_a056: Charging stopped - Charge cable disconnected Close… | EV Diagnostics