How to change the charging-cable lock setting on a Kia EV2
An AC cable that stays attached after charging may be following its saved lock setting. Check which mode is selected before treating the connector as stuck.
Checked against the MY2027 EV2 QV1 English UK manual. These are AC connector-lock settings. Follow the charging equipment’s instructions when ending a charging session and do not force a connector that remains locked.
In the infotainment system, open Electric Vehicle → the Reserved Charging icon → AC Charger, then find the cable-lock setting. Choose whether it stays locked, locks during charging, or remains unlocked.
Decide when the cable should be secured
Make the setting change while parked. The question is whether the connector should stay secured before charging, during charging and after it ends. Those three stages make it easier to compare the available options than thinking of the lock as simply on or off.
Choose the AC lock mode
Tick steps as you go. Your progress stays in this tab.
If it is still locked after charging
With the always-locked setting, unlock the vehicle doors when ready to remove the cable. Kia says the connector relocks if all doors are unlocked but the cable remains connected for 15 seconds; relocking the doors also relocks the connector.
Have the connector handle ready before unlocking, and use its release control as required. If normal unlocking still fails, stop pulling and use the charging instructions for the exact car or contact support. This guide does not substitute a guessed emergency-release location.
If your menu uses different labels
The source manual warns that software updates can alter the infotainment layout. Check the in-car infotainment manual and quick reference guide before following a menu path from another Kia model. Record the selected mode when asking for help with a repeat problem.
Common questions
Why does the cable lock again just after I unlock the doors?+
The manual describes a 15-second relock if all doors are unlocked and the cable is not disconnected. Unlock again when ready to remove it normally.
Which option releases the connector automatically after charging?+
The mode that locks during charging releases it when charging completes. The always-locked option continues to require door unlocking.
Does this change the lock on a DC rapid charger?+
This procedure concerns the AC Charger settings in the EV2 manual. Use the separate instructions for a DC session and its charging equipment.
SOURCES & SCOPE
Where this guide comes from
Written from the official references below. Reviewed on 27 October 2026. This is a source-based guide, not a claim of hands-on vehicle testing.
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