Shimano STEPS error E915: Incompatible battery fitted to drive unit
Shimano STEPS has detected that the fitted battery is not on the released compatibility list for the installed drive unit. Motor assist is cut, walk assist is disabled, and the bike behaves like a non-powered bicycle. The display continues to show E915 until a compatible pack is recognised.
| Drive system | Shimano STEPS (E5000, E6100, E7000, E8000, EP6, EP801) |
| Severity | Dealer needed |
| Keep riding? | Do not keep riding |
| Typical cost | Dealer diagnostic is typically €40–€80, and a replacement Shimano battery ranges from about €400–€600 for E5000/E6100/E7000 packs up to €700–€900 for high-capacity E8000 and EP801 units. |
Likely causes
- Aftermarket, clone, or non-Shimano battery pack installed on the bike
- Battery swapped between STEPS generations that are not cross-released (for example, an E8000-era pack fitted to an EP801 drive unit)
- Drive unit firmware updated to a newer revision that no longer accepts the older battery part number
- Battery model released after the drive unit firmware was written, leaving the pack unrecognised
- Damaged or corrupted battery management PCB preventing proper handshake with the drive unit
How to fix Shimano STEPS error E915
- Power the system fully off and remove the battery from the mount.
- Read the battery label and record the model code (for example BT-E8010, BT-E8035).
- Cross-check that battery model against Shimano's official compatibility table for your specific drive unit.
- Refit a Shimano battery listed as released for that drive unit and lock it into the mount.
- Switch the system on and watch the display for around five seconds to confirm E915 clears.
- If E915 returns with a confirmed compatible genuine Shimano battery, book the bike in with an authorised Shimano dealer for diagnostic on the drive unit side.
Warranty: A genuine Shimano component failure inside the two-year warranty window is normally covered, but E915 caused by a non-genuine or off-list battery, water damage, or crash impact is treated as out of warranty.
Typical cost: Dealer diagnostic is typically €40–€80, and a replacement Shimano battery ranges from about €400–€600 for E5000/E6100/E7000 packs up to €700–€900 for high-capacity E8000 and EP801 units.
Frequently asked
Can I reset shimano error E915?
There is no user-level reset for E915. The code clears only once the system recognises a battery that is on Shimano's released compatibility list for the fitted drive unit, so turning the bike off and back on with the same pack will not make it go away.
Is it safe to keep riding with E915?
No. Motor assist and walk assist are disabled, leaving you to pedal an unpowered bike with the extra drag of the motor engaged. Stop riding under power as soon as the code appears and address the battery before any further use.
Will the battery or repair be covered under warranty?
If E915 appears with a genuine Shimano battery that is on the released list for your drive unit, the fault is treated as a component defect and is normally covered within the two-year warranty window. Errors caused by third-party, clone, or non-listed packs are not covered.
Related Shimano STEPS codes
Manuals and video
Official source: si.shimano.com
Not an official Shimano STEPS document. Compiled from workshop experience and public service information; details can differ per system version and bike brand.