Have you ever had a situation where the Bluetooth feature in your car stopped working for no clear reason? When that happens, you can’t pair up your smartphone with the car’s stereo system and use the features that come with it. This can be quite frustrating, especially if your daily driving routine relies a lot on this useful feature. In our previous article, we learned what Bluetooth is and how it works in your car. In this article, we will cover the most common problems causing connectivity issues and ways to deal with them.
Why Is my Bluetooth Not Connecting to my Car?
Sometimes, your smartphone may refuse to pair up with the audio system in your car, or the connection may break up on its own. When this happens, there are several tricks you can use to get it working again. If turning the audio system off and on again doesn’t help, try some of the steps explained below.
Start by making sure that both the smartphone and the audio system are ready for connection. In certain cases, the problem can be as basic as the Bluetooth feature accidentally being turned off. Check the settings for both devices to see if the Bluetooth option is on and that they are in discoverable mode. On smartphones, this is a straightforward job but can be more complicated with the audio system. If you are unsure how to do this, consult your car owner’s manual.
While Bluetooth connections work at distances up to 30 feet, it requires much closer gaps during the pairing process. When trying to pair them up, hold your phone close to the dashboard and the head unit itself. Also, make sure there are no obstructions between the two. Once connected, you can place the smartphone in your pocket, briefcase, or any other place of your choice.
Bluetooth compatibility between devices
In theory, all Bluetooth devices are compatible, making it possible to connect all of them together with no additional steps. In real life, various devices use different versions of this communication protocol, which can sometimes cause pairing issues. If you suspect this might be the case with your setup, try installing a software update for your smartphone. As the latest software version will always work with all older variants, installing the latest version available should do the trick
If the Bluetooth connection in your car cuts out occasionally, you should check several basic things. One of them is making sure that your phone isn’t low on battery. Since Bluetooth draws a lot of power, some smartphones will turn it off while in power-saving mode. You can also check the list of devices connected to your audio system, as some of them might interfere with the connection of your phone. Remove any devices you are not using and check if that makes any difference.
Why Can’t I Play Music Through Bluetooth in my Car?
There are cases where your smartphone connects to the car and appears to work as it should at first. Still, the audio system refuses to play music from your phone, although it allows you to take calls without issues. If you are driving an older car, chances are the root of this problem lies within the audio system itself. When cars first started using Bluetooth, they used a simple communication protocol called a hands-free profile or HFP. Although being able to transfer phone calls through the audio system, this system couldn’t cope with high-quality stereo music. This was because of both hardware and software limitations, made to cut production costs. To stream music from your smartphone, the audio system in your car must support an advanced audio distribution profile or A2DP. In most cases, software upgrades or diagnostic tool interventions can unlock this option.
Why Is Apple CarPlay Not Working?
Eventually, most iPhone users get the dreaded “Apple CarPlay connection failed” message from their infotainment system. In many cases, this happens after updating your iPhone with the latest software version. Dealing with this problem can sometimes be difficult, as it is not limited only to Bluetooth connection issues.
Just like with any other gadget, the best place to start is restarting the device. If you are experiencing any Apple CarPlay issues, turn off and restart the infotainment system. Have in mind that every system is different, so check your vehicle’s manual to see how to reset the infotainment system. You can also reset your iPhone. Just in case.
Another thing to check is if CarPlay is enabled and not blocked. This can be on your iPhone or within the infotainment system. In some cars, you have to enable the CarPlay feature before you can start using it. The best way to do this is by checking your vehicle service manual. If using restrictions on your iPhone, you may have disabled CarPlay by accident. To make sure, navigate through the settings menu until you find the restrictions tab. Scroll down until you find the CarPlay tab, and turn it off.
How Do I Fix my Bluetooth Not Working on my Android?
There are several reasons why Bluetooth may not work on your Android device, although it usually comes down to two scenarios. Procedures are similar for most Android smartphones, as they use similar software and interface. Start by resetting network settings, which you can find within the general management menu of your phone. By doing this, you will return Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other network settings to their defaults. With some luck, this simple step will solve your connectivity issue, although you will have to reset all Wi-Fi connections.
There are cases where some Bluetooth applications installed on your smartphone interfere with its operation. To disable them, navigate through the settings menu until you find the Applications tab. Here, select system applications and scroll down until you find one called Bluetooth share. Open the info tab for this application and then clear both storage and cache within sharing options. With this done, move back and select the force stop tab to turn off the application. Repeat this procedure for another application, called Bluetooth or BT Tools. Once it’s done, go back to the home screen and restart your smartphone. After this, the Bluetooth option should work.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to connect a phone to a car using Bluetooth?
- First, turn on your car’s stereo and ensure that Bluetooth is ON.
- Then, open your smartphone, enter the Bluetooth settings, and ensure your phone is discoverable.
- Next, turn on the car and press the phone button on the stereo head unit — it will ask you to add a new device.
- You should be able to see the car showing up among the available devices on the phone — click on it to connect.
- Enter the PIN you see on the car’s stereo on your smartphone (if necessary), and the connection should be established. Your phone should automatically pair when entering the car from now on!
How do I know if my car has Bluetooth?
Although some vehicles have a “phone” button, they might not have a Bluetooth feature built-in. The easiest way to find out if your car has Bluetooth is to click on the “phone” button and read the message on the infotainment display.
When in doubt, you can also have a quick look at your car owner’s manual — it should be covered in the “Multimedia” section.
When did Bluetooth come out in cars?
Bluetooth first appeared in cars in 2001, providing hands-free calling via the cabin’s speakers. Since then, Bluetooth has significantly gained in popularity and now comes with other functionalities, including wireless music streaming.
How do I reset the Bluetooth on my car?
- Start by finding the “Phone/Bluetooth” settings in your car’s stereo and access Bluetooth management or paired phones.
- Select one of the connected devices and click “delete/ignore/forget this device” to reset the connection.
- Repeat with other devices if needed.
- You might also want to repeat the same process on your smartphone to fully reset the connection.
Why is my car not showing up on Bluetooth?
Make sure you pair your device with the audio system first, and you should see your car appear on the list.
If you still can’t find your car’s Bluetooth in there, the car’s and phone’s Bluetooth versions might be incompatible, the devices might be too far apart, or the car/phone is already connected to another device.
Last Words
Despite its simplicity and general reliability, Bluetooth devices can experience problems while connecting to your car. As you have seen in this article, there is a range of possible causes for these issues. Sometimes, it is something simple as Bluetooth being turned off by accident, while, in other cases, you may need to adjust the settings in your smartphone or audio system.
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I recently purchased a 2015 Kia Sorento with SiriusXM, and I have a Google Pixel 6 Pro cellphone but my Bluetooth won’t connect to radio!
The Dealership and SiriusXM keeps passing the buck! Help please
Pairing issues usually happen because of a compatibility problem between the phone’s and the vehicle’s operating systems.
Most of the time, manufacturers will come up with software updates to fix these issues — and those are typically free.
However, since you mention that your dealer and Sirius are now passing each other the puck, I assume the manufacturer already made sure your car’s OS was up-to-date?
In this case, I would suggest isolating the problem yourself, and facing whoever is responsible with the results.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that, considering that a 2015 Kia Sorento is quite passed the manufacturer’s warrantee and since a faulty Bluetooth system doesn’t affect the driveability of a vehicle, the manufacturer will very likely charge you for the repair.
If Kia doesn’t want to help, I would suggest giving a quick call to a car audio shop installing aftermarket Bluetooth systems near where you live and ask — these guys deal with tons of different phones and car operating system on a daily basis and might be able to point to the culprit a lot faster (and much cheaper) than the dealer.
I hope this helps!
Let me know if you have any other questions — I’ll be happy to help! ✌
I have just bought a toyota yaris hybrid, and the bluetooth works fine, but not in my works car park, even my mobile phone sometimes doesn’t connect.Could there be a reason for this? Or is it my imagination?
You mean the BlueTooth stops working when parked at work? Hum, I honestly never heard of a Bluetooth system not working depending on the location. That might be due to radio interferences but that’s really above my pay grade. lol
Might be better to give a quick call to your dealer. If it’s a problem commonly found on your vehicle, they might already be aware of it and have a Technical Service Bulletin for that, describing the correct procedure to fix it.
If you even find more info, make sure to let me know… I’d really like to find out what might be causing this lol
My bluetooth worked fine in my 2012 Gmc Silverado until recently. After an oil change the bluetooth wouldn’t come on. It usually says “bluetooth ready” and my phone goes through it . But now my phone can’t even find it to pair up. It’s not a phone problem, it’s the bluetooth in the truck. What do I do?
Hi!
I doubt it has anything to do with the oil change but in any case, that’s something you might need to give your dealer a call for… Could be related to the system itself, might need a reflash… impossible to tell without being able to run a couple of tests on the car
My phone is connected to my car Bluetooth but yet isn’t working can’t hear any call or my own music
Hi! Can I ask what’s your car model, MY, and phone model?
I Have Cave brand car infotainment system. unfortunately due to some reason forced to factory reset the system. after this blue tooth in system is not working. although symbol is visualise but it is not shown to phone.
Hi!
Could you give me the exact model of your stereo? I’ll be more than happy to look into it! ✌
I have a 2013 Camry. The bluetooth always worked great until recently. It started out just kinda spinning, on the dash, a little while after cranking the car and would eventually connect. It started happening more frequently and now has stopped completely. The screen works for all options except the bluetooth and phone. It is not grayed out. It just does not work. If you try and touch those buttons, nothing. So weird. I cannot find any help online anywhere. They all tell me to clear my phone and and car connections but I can’t. I cannot access the bluetooth or phone portion of the cars controls at all. Any suggestions?
Interestingly, I worked for about 3 years at a Toyota dealership and this is a pretty frequent issue. Luckily, it’s usually easily fixed with a re-flash of the control module. Have you been to your dealer lately? If not, there are probably a bunch of updates waiting to be done on your car (if you’ve never heard of software updates before, it’s basically like updates happening on a regular basis on your computer, except that since your Camry isn’t connected to the internet, it needs to be done locally.)
In this case, I would highly suggest giving your local dealer a call and asking them to run your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in their system; they’ll be able to see right away if your vehicle is up-to-date and if not, a quick update should do the trick.
And yes, I understand how dumb it might sound to tell readers of our DIY mechanic-oriented blog to go to the repair shop to have something fixed, but when it comes to software updates, that’s really something only the dealer can do… ✌
I have a 2015 Buick encore and the Bluetooth worked fine until a few months ago it connects correctly, but the problem is I can hear the receiving end but they cannot hear any suggestions, I’ve tried everything in the manual disconnect, reconnect resetting network ect,ect,ect any recommendations
Thank you
Hi!
Alright, so the first thing I would suspect is something as simple as a faulty mic.
However, the problem with these units is that they are solid-state electronic modules, meaning that they can’t really be opened or “physically” tested using a multimeter or anything…
In such a case, if you were to go to the dealer, the troubleshooting chart would go a little like this:
– Run a diagnostic system check with the MIT diagnostic tool
– Make sure there are no DTCs and that the modules can communicate with each other
– If the infotainment system can’t communicate with the MIT diagnostic tool, replace the radio
– If the infotainment system can communicate, use the MIT tool to test the feature you want to test
– If the test is unsuccessful, replace the radio
– And so on…
Consequently, since I assume you don’t have access to the dealer’s MIT diagnostic tool, I would start by having a quick look at the connections and wires and make sure all seems fine. After that though, if you can’t find a potential culprit, your best bet might still be to bring your car to the dealer and ask them to run a quick system check.
They’ll also be able to confirm your software systems are up-to-date, that there is no Technical Service Bulletin already covering this problem, and point to the potential problem. In some cases, the system might only need to be reset to default or updated.
And if not and if any internal component is faulty, since the manufacturer doesn’t normally sell individual replacement parts such as the Bluetooth mic, the radio will probably need to be replaced as a whole.
Yep I know it’s a bummer — but in this day and age where electronic components are increasingly present in modern cars, there are tons of components that simply can’t be tested and fixed using a pair of Vise-Grips and a good ratchet set anymore.
On the other hand, if you are lucky enough to have an OBD2 scan tool able to run system checks on your car, don’t hesitate to send us a message here and we can point you to the right repair manual containing the complete troubleshooting procedure for your car’s Bluetooth system.
I hope it helps! ✌
My car will connect to my sync but to play music I also have to connect to the Bluetooth audio but when I try to it says no Bluetooth connection even though it is connected to the car sync through the Bluetooth please help
I would tend to think that might be a compatibility issue between your phone’s operating system and the car’s.
Your best bet here would be to give a quick call to your dealer and ask if your phone is compatible with your car’s current OS — if not, they might have an update available to fix that.
Hi, I own a Hyundai Tucson 2010 and few years ago, with Iphone 5, 7 and 8, my bluhooth connexion was working find. However, in the last 4-5 years, I always having problem to stay connected for more than 10 to 14 days with latest Iphones (version 11 and 12). I pair the phone and after 7 days+ I hear “Pairing failed”. I repair the phone and the same patern happen. Is it the latest phone or IOS version that is incompatible with my old 2010 car radio? Is there a solution on the Iphone or on the Tucson radio to be applied?
Hi!
Yeah, this type of problem is fairly common nowadays since smartphone technology advances a lot faster than cars and usually happens due to the newer protocols used in new phones, phones that were simply not invented when the manufacturer produced your vehicle.
Luckily, manufacturers usually come up with software updates to fix these issues — and those are typically free.
Give a quick call to your dealer and they’ll better be able to tell you if an update is available for your specific model.
I have a 2013 BMW X1.
Just like another person on here my bluetooth stopped working. It just keeps spinning on the dash when I hit phone settings but my bluetooth is grayed out. I can not even plug in my phone to listen to my phones playlist. Radio works though. I have no Auxiliary either.
I went online and put in vin number and it said I have no updates. I took it to the BMW dealer today and left my car with them for the day. They told me I had one update and hopefully that took care of it. I said hopefully? Did you test it? They said they are not allowed to test it with their own phones. I immediately tried it with my phone and nothing changed, it still did not work.
It is not my phone as many friends took a look at it prior and agree it is a car issue as their phone could not pair or even find my BMW. My screen on the car just spins and spins as soon as I hit the phone setting. I spent $100 at the dealership only for them to tell me oh well we tried.
The 20yr old little punk service advisor said what do you expect, your car is 10 years old there is nothing we can do, it is an old car. I told him when I decide my car is old, I will certainly not be trading it in for another BMW. I have had so many people assure me it is something wrong with the car not my phone and my bluetooth IS grayed out.
Does BMW disconnect after 10 years so it pushes people to purchase a new car? It seems they blamed it on the age of my car and said my car has been updated. This is frustrating as I need my bluetooth with the amount of driving I do and would like to listen to my play list of music on my car speakers rather than my phone.
Hi!
Unfortunately, electronics tend to age a lot faster than cars, which is increasingly problematic nowadays…
The problem comes from the fact that the Bluetooth system in your car is a feature relying on technology and operational systems, kinda like Windows or MAC OS.
If we were talking about a phone, 10 years would be very, very old.
Take smartphones, for instance — 10 years ago, the new iPhone 5 had just come out. And with computers, it’s even worse; Windows 8 was the new thing on the block at the time.
If you were still running Windows 8 on your computer or trying to download apps on an iPhone 5 today, no wonder you would run into issues since the rest of the infrastructure runs on much more advanced technology.
At the time of manufacturing, the manufacturer, no matter whether it’s BMW or any other, simply couldn’t ensure its Bluetooth system would be compatible with software updates that would only be released 10 years in the future.
Back in 2013, 5G wasn’t even a thing yet; smart devices and the Internet of Things were far from where it is today, etc., etc.
While it may be true that the dealer may not be putting as much effort as it could in ensuring that your Bluetooth system is kept up to date with new technology, that would also be true with any other manufacturer.
From the dealer’s point-of-view, there’s really no point in spending development money to keep 10-year-old systems running, especially since cars that old usually don’t go to the dealer anymore and since the dealer would much prefer to sell you a new one.
Days when customers were expected to keep their cars for more than 10 years are long gone, unfortunately, kinda like any other electronic device, including smartphones, tablets, and computers — welcome to the new “throwaway society”!
Luckily, you can easily get your hands on an aftermarket Bluetooth device (good examples are Parrot Bluetooth car kits, but there are tons of other options) that would allow you to receive calls and operate your phone while driving while sticking it to the dealer lol.
I have a Ford Fusion 2015 SE and my Bluetooth isn’t working I can only hear my calls but not my music
Hi!
I’d say that 90% of the time, Bluetooth-related problems are caused by the fact that your 2015 Fusion (and its Bluetooth system) was built 8 years before your phone’s operating system. The manufacturer simply couldn’t plan 8 years in the future and ensure its Bluetooth software would be compatible with a phone’s software and the various tech innovations that would only be invented several years later.
Luckily, you’ll be able to find every troubleshooting chart and repair procedure you might need to fix the problem in this 2012-2015 Ford Fusion Service & Repair Manual.
I am used to getting into my 2013 Toyota sequoia and the BT automatically connects and streams from my Spotify app. Yesterday, the music started blasting out of my phone instead yet it showed the song info on the stereo screen. I kept trying to re-pair and reset my phone, turn my car off and back on… What was also strange is calls worked both ways through the hands free connection and car speakers. Finally I found a solution which worked…
I ended up having to clear the cache and data from Spotify & uninstall the app, reset my phone, then reinstall the app… Logged in and It’s working perfectly. I’m just wondering if it was the app (though I don’t use Spotify Car Thing) or Bluetooth or just too much data in the app cache or something else? Any ideas? Much appreciated!
Yeah… that could have happened after updating the app — wild guess but I’ve seen it happen before.
Hi, I’m a new Honda CRV owner. (But my car isn’t new). It’s a 2014 CRV and my phone is a Samsung A32. Today (6/13/23) as I finished my morning walk, I wanted to continue listening to Pandora. I did my usual turn the car on, roll down the windows, finish up in the health app, unplug my earbuds and got in. I clicked the AUX button for the car to find my phone, which, it did. The message that came up was NO DATA FOUND. The phone continued to play the music, but with no sound. I turned off the car and restated it and did the same with the phone with no change in result. Now, the Samsung has a tenancy to change settings on the phone when it updates. I did check all that but I’m no IT guru. I know just enough to get me into trouble and not know how I did it. I may have to take a trip into town and talk to my cell phone provider.
Before you do that though, I would suggest trying this:
If it solves the problem, the app might have been updated which may cause bugs with the pairing. If it doesn’t, yes you might need to pay a visit to your phone provider.
If other apps also don’t work, the problem might be caused by a compatibility issue with a recent phone update and the vehicle’s software. In this case, it’s the dealer you might need to visit. They sometimes have software updates fixing Bluetooth compatibility issues with modern phone operating systems.
Hi,
I have a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. And my Bluetooth on my radio stop working all of a sudden. I’ve tried to reset it. I took the yellow fuse out to reset the radio and still not working. I’ve unpaired my ph and now it doesn’t even show up as a Bluetooth device anymore. My maps still comes up, the radio still works jus my Bluetooth isn’t working. The bigger problem is I live in Germany and my car is US specs so I’m having a hard time finding someone to troubleshoot my car. No my bluelink doesn’t work bc I’m in Germany and the Hyundai rep told me they don’t even use that anymore. Can someone plzz help? Thanks.
Hi!
Yeah, this type of problem is fairly common nowadays since smartphone technology advances a lot faster than cars and usually happens due to the newer protocols used in new phones, phones that were simply not invented when the manufacturer produced your vehicle.
Pairing issues often appear after an update on your phone, causing it to not be compatible with your vehicle’s system anymore.
Luckily, manufacturers usually come up with software updates to fix these issues — and those are typically free.
Give a quick call to your dealer and they’ll better be able to tell you if an update is available for your specific model.
I have a 2019 Honda Ridgeline Sport and a new iPhone 13. The hands free feature suddenly stopped working. The phone indicates that the hands free link is connected. I have researched everything I can find and spent hours trying to figure what the problem is. When I purchased the phone a few weeks ago the sales rep synced it to the vehicle without problems. Music from the Music App and Voice from Maps still play through the speakers but the phone does not. The Ridgeline Sport does not support CarPlay so that is not the issue. It was working yesterday, not today. I drive a lot and need the hands free feature along with the other apps that play through the speakers. Can you please help?
Hi!
That could have been caused by an update on your phone (which frequently happens when buying a new phone), causing a compatibility issue.
Luckily, manufacturers usually come up with software updates to fix these issues — and those are typically free.
Give a quick call to your dealer and they’ll better be able to tell you if an update is available for your specific model.
Hello I have a 2015 Honda Civic and my phone is a Samsung S21 FE. The Bluetooth system in the car was working fine until one day I wanted to see what the phone buttons do on the steering wheel and after I pressed the phone button. on the steering wheel, the Bluetooth calling feature doesn’t work in my car anymore. I can still listen to music and make calls but the person on the other end of the phone cannot hear me at all. I was hoping you have any tips on how I can fix this. Thanks so much
If you can listen to music and makes calls, it means the phone is paired properly… So I would suspect you might have triggered something when pressing the “Phone” button…
Could it be that your microphone is now set on “Mute”?
Try this and let me know:
