Got a blank or frozen screen or a phone that won't connect to your car? These (sometimes secret) solutions could help reboot or reset your system.
By Keith Barry
With Michael Crossen, Kelly Funkhouser, Alex Knizek, Maddie McCarty, and Patrick Olsen
If you’ve ever had a navigation screen freeze or go blank in the middle of a road trip, or you couldn’t get your phone to connect or music to play, you know how frustrating it can be when an infotainment system suddenly stops working. You’re not alone: Infotainment problems are some of the most common reliability complaints in our exclusive reliability surveys.
Sometimes fixing the problem can be as simple as unplugging your phone from the USB port and plugging it back in, or turning the car on and off again. But occasionally, the fix requires resetting or rebooting your car’s infotainment system. Kind of like hitting Ctrl-Alt-Delete or selecting “Force Quit” on a computer, a reboot or reset can stop your car’s infotainment system from acting up or even return it to factory default settings. You can do it yourself—and we’ll show you how.
We asked automakers to share the instructions they give their own dealerships and service technicians for resetting frozen infotainment systems. Then the experts at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center put their fixes to the test on our own fleet of test vehicles. Below, you’ll find detailed instructions for resetting recent infotainment systems in most vehicles from major brands.
If the fixes below don’t work or if your car isn’t on the list, you’ve got other options, says Michael Crossen, Consumer Reports’ mechanic and longtime master technician.
Apple CarPlay running on a Honda infotainment system.
Honda
If the problem is with your phone connection, start by turning your phone on and off, and check to see if your phone—or your car—needs a software update. “I have seen a phone stop working after the phone performed a software update,” Crossen says. “In these cases, you have to wait for a car software update to be available in order to fix it.” Some cars will prompt owners to download new software over a cellular or WiFi connection, while others will require a trip to the dealership.
You can also check YouTube for infotainment tutorial videos. Chances are, someone else had the same problem and they may have put the solution online. If all else fails, make an appointment at the dealership. “Make sure you can accurately describe the issue, and take video or a picture when the system is failing, especially if the problem is intermittent,” Crossen says.
Here’s how to get started:
Audi
MMI (2015-2017 model years)
Press and hold the menu key, the rotary knob, and the button that sits at the upper right of the rotary knob.
MMI with virtual cockpit (2017-2019)
Push forward and then hold in place the Nav/Map and Radio buttons while pushing down the rotary knob for about a second.
MMI with two screens (2019)
Hold the volume button down for 10 seconds.
MMI touch response/MIB3 (2019-2023)
Press and hold the volume knob or volume button until the welcome screen reappears, which should take about 15 seconds.
BMW
CCC system with nav (roughly 2004 through 2010)
Press and hold the eject button for the DVD and CD drives, then press the audio system power button for about a second.
CIC (2010-2015)
Press and hold the audio volume knob for 25 seconds.
iDrive 4 (2014-2017)
Hold down the iDrive knob, then press the CD/DVD eject button and audio system power button for about a second.
iDrive 7 and 8 (2018-2023)
Press and hold the volume knob for more than 20 seconds.
Stellantis
Includes Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and some Maserati and Fiat vehicles.
Uconnect with 8.4-inch screen (2013-2019)
Put the car into accessory mode by hitting the ignition button but without having your foot on the brakes. This turns on the accessory systems of the car. Then hold the temperature up button (red) and the temperature down button (blue) simultaneously for at least 8 seconds. The engineering menu should appear. The last menu item on the first page is Reset Radio. This will reboot the system.
Uconnect (2013-2019)
Press and hold down the mute and source buttons for up to 10 seconds.
Uconnect 5 (2020-2023)
Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
Ford and Lincoln
My Ford/Lincoln Touch (2014-2017)
Press and hold the fast-forward and the audio system power buttons for at least 5 seconds.
Sync 4 (2018-2023)
Simultaneously press and hold the seek forward and audio system power button for 10 seconds.
Sync 4A (2021-2023)
Simultaneously press and hold the seek forward and volume down buttons on the steering wheel for 10 seconds.
The infotainment system in a newer Hyundai. You can see the small reset button below the volume control.
Photo: Hyundai
Genesis, Hyundai, and Kia
All 2014-2019 Systems
Press and hold down the audio system power button for at least 10 seconds.
2020-2023 Hyundai Systems
Use a paper clip or ballpoint pen to press the “system reset button.” The exact location varies by model and year, but it’s a small and unmarked hole that’s often near the volume knob. Wait a few minutes for the system to power back on.
2021-2023 Genesis
At the same time, press the Map & Setup buttons below the touchscreen for about 6 to 8 seconds. You may need to turn the vehicle to Accessory mode first by pressing the engine start/stop button without your foot on the brake.
2019-2023 Kia Systems
Use a paper clip or ballpoint pen to press the “system reset button” on or near the infotainment system buttons in the center console.
General Motors
Includes Cadillac, Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles.
Mylink/Intellilink (2014-2016)
Press the home and fast-forward buttons for at least 10 seconds.
GM infotainment (2017-2019)
Press the Onstar call button, then hang up.
GM infotainment without built-in Google (2019-2023)
Turn the car off, then turn it back on again.
GM infotainment with Google (2022 and newer full-sized trucks and SUVs, Cadillac Lyriq, 2023+ Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon)
In Park, press and hold the phone hangup button on the steering wheel for 10 seconds.
Honda and Acura
HondaLink/AcuraLink (2016-2023)
Press and hold the audio system power button for 5 seconds. A menu may pop up and ask you if you want to reboot the system. If this doesn’t work, turn the vehicle off, open the driver door, close the driver door, and restart the vehicle.
Infiniti
Intouch and touchscreen (2014-2023)
Press and hold down the audio system power knob for at least 7 seconds.
Jaguar and Land Rover
InControl Touch Pro (2019-2023)
Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds.
Lexus
All systems (2016-2023)
Press and hold down the audio system power knob or power/volume knob for at least 7 seconds.
Mazda
Mazda Connect (2014-2019)
Press and hold the Back button, the Nav button, and the Mute button for at least 10 seconds. Mazda says this sequence may not work for all vehicles.
Mazda Connect (2020-2023)
Mazda says that the only way for drivers to restart the system is to turn the vehicle on and off again.
Mercedes-Benz
All systems (2019-2023)
The automaker tells CR that owners should bring the car to an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership if the infotainment system doesn’t reset itself after freezing or becoming unresponsive.
Mini
All systems (2007-2011)
Press and hold down the audio system power knob for at least 20 seconds.
The infotainment system in a 2023 Nissan Pathfinder.
Photo: Nissan
Nissan
All systems (2009-2023)
Press and hold down the audio system power button for about 10 seconds until the Nissan logo appears, signifying that the reboot is underway.
Polestar
All vehicles
Press and hold the thin horizontal white bar at the bottom of the center touchscreen for 20 to 30 seconds.
Rivian
All vehicles
Put the vehicle in Park. Find the outermost control buttons on the steering wheel. Press both buttons at the same time and hold for 15 seconds.
Subaru
Starlink (2019-2023)
Press and hold down the audio system power knob for at least 10 seconds.
Tesla
Main Screen (2012-2023)
Press and hold down the two scroll wheels on the steering wheel for at least 10 seconds.
The infotainment system in a 2023 Toyota Corolla.
Photo: Toyota
Toyota
Entune (2012-2019)
Press and hold the audio system’s volume/power knob for about 3 seconds or until the system resets.
Toyota Audio Multimedia (2020-2023)
Press and hold down the audio system’s volume/power knob for at least 7 seconds.
Volkswagen
MIB, MIB 2, and MIB 3 systems (2012-2023)
Press and hold down the audio system power knob or button for at least 10 seconds.
Volvo
Sensus Connect (2016-2023)
Press and hold down the home button for 20 seconds. Continue to hold the home button until the display turns off, then release it when the Volvo logo appears.
Google (2021-2023)
Turn the vehicle on and off.
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