​Troubleshooting Guide​​​

Trouble registering or receiving notifications for the Power Alert Service?​​

Try the fixes listed below

I’m u​nable to register on the Power Alert Service site:​​

  • My screen flashes and then the data I just entered disappears
    If you are using Internet Explorer, add CenterPointElectric.com to your list of trusted sites then try to register again.
  • The system will not accept my 8-digit meter number
    Make sure that you are not entering any blank spaces as part of your meter number. Re-enter your meter number as a continuous string of eight numbers then try to register again.
  • The system keeps taking me back to the first step
    If you’re using Internet Explorer, adjust your settings to always allow session cookies then try to register again.
  • If you’re still having trouble, please call us at 713-207-2222.

I tried to register my cell phone to receive text messages, but I never received a CONFIRMATION REQUIRED text message.​​​

  • Verify that you entered the correct cell phone number by visiting the form below.
  • You may have received a CONFIRMATION REQUIRED message but did not notice it because your cell phone provider split it into multiple messages. If this happened to your CONFIRMATION REQUIRED message, find the last section and reply as instructed to complete your registration.
  • Contact your cell phone provider and verify the following:
    • That your device can receive “Premium” text messages
    • That your device can receive text messages from 386-71 and 821-04
    • That your provider has not blocked messages from 386-71 and 821-04
  • Try adding 386-71 and 821-04 as CenterPoint Energy contacts in your cell phone address book then repeat the registration process to add your cell phone number.
  • If you’re still having trouble, please call us at 713-207-2222.
  • Please note that Google Voice numbers currently do not accept Power Alert Service notifications.

I replied to the CONFIRMATION REQUIRED text message to complete my registration, but I never received a reply welcoming me to the Power Alert Service.​

  • Check to make sure that your phone does not apply an automatic signature (e.g., your name) to your out-going text messages. If you do have an automatic signature, turn it off and try replying to the CONFIRMATION REQUIRED message again.
  • Make sure that you replied to our CONFIRMATION REQUIRED text message within five business days (accounts revert to not registered after five days). If more than five days passed, repeat the registration process to add your cell phone number.
  • If you’re still having trouble, please call us at 713-207-2222.

I registered my cell phone to receive text message notifications but I haven’t received any notifications.​​

  • Check with your cell phone provider to make sure that your text message subscription is active.
  • Make sure that you replied to our CONFIRMATION REQUIRED text message within five business days (accounts revert to not registered after five days). If more than five days passed, repeat the registration process to add your cell phone number.
  • You can test the system by texting the word “START” to 82104 or 38671. If you are registered in our system, you will receive a reply within a few minutes.
    • If your phone applies an automatic signature (e.g., your name) to out-going text messages and you did not receive a reply to the “START” test above, our system may not have recognized your text message. Delete your automatic signature and repeat the “START” test above to see if this resolves the problem.

If you’re still having trouble, please call us at 713-207-2222.

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