How to Turn On Your Aventon E-Bike: Beginner’s Guide
To turn on your Aventon e-bike, first make sure the battery is mounted and locked in place. If your model has a key, turn it to the “on” position. Then press and hold the power button on the display or battery for 2–3 seconds until the screen activates. If nothing happens, check the battery charge level and connections. Below, we walk through the exact steps for common Aventon models, plus what to do when the bike won’t power on.
Prepare the Battery
Removable Batteries (Aventure, Pace, Level)
Insert the battery fully into the frame until you hear it click. If the battery has a key lock, insert the key and turn it clockwise to the unlocked position, often marked with a dot or the word “ON.”
If you press the power button and get no response at all, check the key position first. On the Aventure, the key must be turned to position “I” (not vertical “0”). If the key is already in the “on” position but the button still does nothing, move to the battery charge check.
Integrated Batteries (Soltera, Newer Models)
Ensure the battery is seated flush with the frame. No key is needed, but the battery door must be closed completely. If the display won’t turn on, open and re-close the battery door firmly — it is easy to leave a gap that prevents contact.
Locate the Power Button
The power button location depends on your model.
- On the battery itself: Common on Aventure, Pace 350/500, and Level. Look for a round rubber button near the battery LED indicator.
- On the handlebar display: Found on Soltera, Level.2, and Pace Next Gen. Look for a small button on the side or bottom of the LCD screen.
Press and Hold
Press and hold the power button steadily for about 2–3 seconds. Release only after the screen turns on. A quick tap will not work.
A normal response means the display lights up showing speed, battery percentage, and assist level. Some models may briefly show a firmware version.
If the screen flickers but does not stay on, the battery is likely too low. Charge it to at least 20% before trying again. If the screen does not flicker at all and you have verified the key is on and the battery is seated, try removing the battery entirely for 30 seconds, then reinstall and attempt again. If it still fails, the battery may have entered deep-sleep protection (see FAQ below).
Verify the System
Once the display is on, check that the battery indicator shows power bars, not empty. Confirm that the headlight and horn, if equipped, respond to their buttons. If the display turns off after a few seconds, the battery connection is likely loose or the battery is nearly dead.
Model-Specific Notes
Aventon Aventure (Step-Thru and Regular)
The battery key must be turned to “on” before the power button will work. If the key is vertical (position “0”), the battery is locked and will not power the bike. Press the power button on the battery, not the display — the display then wakes up automatically.
If you have just charged the battery, wait 5–10 seconds after unplugging the charger before inserting the battery. The BMS (battery management system) sometimes needs a short reset.
Aventon Pace (350, 500, Next Gen)
For Pace 350/500, the power button is on the battery. Hold until the display activates. If the bike has been idle for more than 10 minutes, you may need to press the button twice — first to wake the battery, second to turn on the display.
For Pace Next Gen, the power button is on the left side of the display. Press and hold the “MODE” button for 2 seconds. The Pace Next Gen display has multiple buttons, so make sure you are pressing “MODE,” not the up/down arrows.
Aventon Level and Level.2
On the original Level, use the battery button. After holding, the display will light up. If you get a “Lo” error on the screen, the battery voltage is too low — charge immediately.
On the Level.2, use the power button on the display, the small button below the screen. Three short vibrations from the motor confirm the system is active. After the screen lights up, rotate the pedals one full turn. You should feel smooth motor assist within the first half rotation. If you do not, the speed sensor may need adjustment.
Aventon Soltera
The power button is on the display. Press and hold the “+” button (upper left) for 2 seconds. No separate key is needed — just make sure the battery is fully inserted.
If the display shows “E01” or “Err,” turn off the bike, remove the battery for 5 minutes, then reinstall. This clears most communication errors.
Common Failure Cases and How to Fix Them
| Problem | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No response when pressing power button | Battery not fully seated or key in locked position | Remove battery, reinsert firmly; turn key to “on” (position “I”). |
| Screen flashes then turns off | Low battery charge | Charge battery to at least 30%, then retry. |
| Display shows “Err” or “E01” | Communication error between battery and controller | Cycle the key off/on, then remove battery for 30 seconds and reinstall. |
| Power button feels stuck or won’t depress | Dirt or debris under the button | Clean with a dry cloth; avoid spraying water directly. |
|
| Headlight comes on but display is blank | Display connection loose | Check cable plug behind the display stem; reseat if needed. |
| Motor provides no assist even with full battery | Speed sensor misalignment or magnet missing | Inspect the rear wheel magnet; it should pass within 5 mm of the sensor on the chainstay. If misaligned, loosen the sensor bracket, slide it closer, and retighten. |
How to Confirm the Bike Is On and Ready to Ride
Confirm the display stays lit and shows a battery icon with at least 1 bar. Press the up/down arrows on the display — the assist level, such as Eco, Tour, Sport, or Turbo, should change.
Rotate the pedals gently. You should feel the motor provide light assistance within half a pedal rotation, unless the bike is set to 0 assist. A smooth, consistent pull confirms the system is functioning. If you still get no pedal assist, verify that the bike is in an assist mode and not in “walk” mode, usually indicated by a walking figure icon. Press and hold the up arrow for 2 seconds to exit walk mode.
Stop the bike, then restart it from a full stop. If the motor engages from a standstill, the torque sensor, if equipped, is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My Aventon bike won’t turn on even after charging the battery overnight. What now?
A: The battery may have a defective cell or the BMS may have entered deep-sleep protection. Press and hold the button on the battery for 10 seconds to attempt a wake-up. If that fails, contact Aventon support or test with another known-good battery.
Q: Do I need to turn the key to “on” every time I ride?
A: Yes, for models with a key lock (Aventure, original Level, Pace 350/500). Leaving the key in the “off” position disconnects the battery from the controller, so the power button will not work. For models without a key, just ensure the battery is seated correctly.
Q: Can I turn on the e-bike without the battery installed?
A: No. The display and motor require battery power. If you need to check the display settings without the battery, the bike will remain off.
Q: My display turns on but shows “0 mph” and no assist.
A: The speed sensor may be misaligned or the wheel magnet could be missing. Check that the magnet on your rear wheel passes close to the sensor, which is mounted on the chainstay. Test by spinning the rear wheel — if the speed never registers, the sensor needs adjustment. Loosen the sensor bracket, slide it within 5 mm of the magnet, and retighten.
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Ryan Williams has spent over 8 years testing, repairing, and writing about electric bikes. He has personally ridden and reviewed 150+ e-bike models from brands like Lectric, Aventon, Rad Power, Super73, and dozens more.
Before founding EBIKE Delight, Ryan worked as a bicycle mechanic for 5 years at independent bike shops across California, where he specialized in e-bike conversions and electrical system diagnostics. He holds a Certificate in Electric Vehicle Technology from the Light Electric Vehicle Association (LEVA).
Ryan’s work has been cited by Electric Bike Report, Electrek, and BikeRumor. When he is not testing the latest e-bike on California backroads, he is in his workshop tearing down batteries and controllers to understand what makes them tick — and what makes them fail.
Areas of Expertise
E-bike performance testing and real-world range verificationBattery diagnostics, charging best practices, and safetyBrand comparisons: Lectric, Aventon, Rad Power, Super73, and moreError code troubleshooting across major e-bike systemsE-bike laws, registration, and compliance by state
Ryan believes every rider deserves honest, hands-on information — not marketing hype.