First identify which screen is blank: the portable indoor CIU, or the sealed meter itself. A CIU can lose battery or socket power while the meter remains healthy; a blank metering unit needs official attention.
The essentials
- Distinguish the indoor keypad from the sealed meter.
- Try known-good approved power or fresh batteries for the CIU only.
- Confirm utility supply and check whether neighbouring premises are affected.
- Do not open, strike, heat or reconnect the meter.
- Report a blank or physically damaged metering unit promptly.
If only the CIU or UIU is blank
Check the wall socket with a safe household device, use the power adapter specified for the interface, and replace batteries with the correct type where supported. Press a key to wake a power-saving display. Then restore pairing if the interface powers on but cannot communicate.
If the sealed meter display is blank
Check whether there is general utility supply and whether the meter’s visible power indicator is on. Do not remove a cover. A persistent blank display can indicate loss of incoming supply, display failure or a wider meter fault.
If the meter has credit but the house has no power
A blank interface is not the only possible cause. The meter may be disconnected for a protection condition, the distribution network may be down, or the premises may have an internal breaker or wiring fault. Use a qualified electrician for customer-side wiring and the DISCO for the meter and incoming supply.
Your rights when the meter is faulty
NERC says a confirmed faulty meter should receive urgent repair or replacement from the distribution licensee. Record the complaint reference. When a faulty meter is replaced, the customer and DISCO representative should document the remaining credit for transfer under the applicable process.
Frequently asked
Can an empty balance make the meter screen blank?
It can leave a separate CIU without power from the premises circuit, which is why some interfaces support batteries. The sealed meter display itself should be assessed in the context of incoming supply and model behaviour.
Can I open the meter to check a fuse?
No. Electricity meters are sealed utility equipment. Report the issue to the DISCO and use a qualified electrician only for wiring on the customer side.
What happens to units on a faulty meter?
NERC guidance says the remaining units should be jointly recorded during replacement and credited to the customer through the applicable process.
Research sources
Official guidance, product information and public sources were reviewed on 27 July 2026.