Do you have a car with an interactive touchscreen display? It’s likely that these days, many of us do.
While accessing all your favorite music and navigation tools on the car dashboard can be incredibly convenient, sometimes things can go wrong, especially when the touch screen has glitched up or stopped responding.
If that happens, you must reset the car screen, but how do you do it correctly? Let’s find out.
When the car touch screen does not work, there are a few ways to reset it:
#1. Restart the car
#2. Reboot the touchscreen by turning it off and back on again
#3. Reset and recalibrate the touch screen through the car’s settings menu.
#4. Disconnect and reconnect the battery.
#5. Check for updates and install any available updates.
#6. Perform a hard reset (reset to factory settings).
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In the article below, I will explain how to reset a car’s touch screen so it can function again.
How Can I Restart the Car Touch Screen?
#1. Restart the car.
This simple fix can often reset the car’s touch screen and resolve any issues that could have happened after replacing the battery.
To do this, turn the car off and wait a few minutes before restarting it.
Car restart can give the touch screen and other electronics a chance to reset and start fresh. However, restarting the car does not reset car electronics to the factory settings, so if your screen has a software error, this may not fix it.
#2. Reboot the touchscreen by turning it off and back on again.
If a restart does not work, you can try rebooting the touch screen. This may require pressing a combination of buttons or flipping a switch, depending on how your car is set up.
Some cars can reset the touch screen in the settings menu. To access this, go to the settings menu on the touch screen and look for a reset or restart option.
If this doesn’t help, you may have an issue with the software. In this case, the best way you can do is to take your car to an auto shop or contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
#3. Reset and recalibrate the touch screen through the car’s settings menu.
If the touch screen is unresponsive, you can reset it in the car’s settings menu. To do this, go to your car’s settings menu and look for a reset option.
Once you find it, select the “Reset Touchscreen” or “Recalibrate Touchscreen” option and follow the instructions. This should help reset your touchscreen and fix any issues you may be having.
Although you may find different systems in many cars, the general process is usually the same as I show in a few steps below:
- Open the car’s settings menu on the touch screen. You can do this by pressing the “Settings” or “Menu” buttons on the touch screen or the car’s dashboard.
- Navigate to the system settings or the touch screen settings. Navigation will vary depending on the make and model of the car, but you should be able to locate the reset or restart option in the settings menu for the touch screen or the car’s electronics.
- Select the reset or restart option and follow the prompts to confirm. This will initiate the reset process, which may take a few minutes to complete.
- Once the reset is complete, the touch screen should restart and be restored to its default settings. Check the touch screen to see if the reset was successful and if the touch screen functions again.
#4. Disconnect and reconnect the battery.
If all else fails, you may need to disconnect and then reconnect the car’s battery. As you can expect, disconnecting the car battery will reset all systems in the vehicle, including the touch screen.
To do this, locate your battery, which is usually under the hood, and disconnect the negative and positive terminals.
Once both are disconnected, wait a few minutes and reconnect the terminals. This should reset the car’s electronics and may help you to fix the screen issues, assuming there were no software or hardware errors inside the dashboard.
Be aware that some cars may have an anti-theft system or other safety features that require you to re-enter codes or reactivate specific systems after disconnecting the battery.
#5. Check for software upgrades and install any available updates.
If your touchscreen is still unresponsive, it may be due to an outdated software version. You should check for any available updates and install them on the car’s system menu.
Like in the home computer or the cellphone, a software update can often help fix issues with the touch screen and ensure that all systems are running smoothly.
#6. Perform a hard reset (reset to factory settings).
A hard reset is an extreme option to reset the car’s touch screen and other electronics.
For a hard reset, consult the car’s manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions to make sure you will not damage any car’s electronics.
If your only screen in the car is in the head unit, check my other article about resetting car radios.
Can Resetting Car Touch Screen Affects Its Settings?
Resetting the car’s touch screen may affect its settings, depending on how your vehicle is set up.
Some cars may reset to their default settings, while others may require you to re-enter codes or reconfigure them after a reset.
This is because resetting the touch screen restores the software to its original settings, which may differ from how you had it configured.
Sometimes you can lose all your customization, including brightness or contrast settings, the layout of the icons on the screen, and any custom backgrounds or themes you may have applied.
However, resetting the touchscreen can also fix any issues you may be having with its settings.
What Causes the Car Touch Screen to Stop Working?
Having a car screen that does not work can be annoying, but more importantly, you do not have access to essential functions like your navigation, sound system, and other main features.
There are several possible causes for a car’s touch screen to stop working, and the common ones include the following:
#1. Software errors
The touch screen may not work correctly due to a bug or other firmware or software issues.
As I mentioned earlier, this can be caused by a software update that didn’t install correctly, a conflict between different applications, or a problem with the touch screen’s hardware.
#2. Physical damage
You may have damaged the touch screen in some way, such as by a sharp object or impact. This can also cause the touch screen to stop working or only to work partially.
#3. Connectivity issues
The touch screen may not work because it is not connected correctly to the car’s electronics. This can be caused by loose or damaged cables or a problem with the touch screen’s internal connectors.
#4. Power issues
Problems with the power can be caused by a car’s battery, alternator, or electrical system or a problem with the touch screen’s power supply.
In many cases, you may need to visit the service and then check the installation.
How to Fix the Unresponsive Touch Screen in a Car?
If you are experiencing issues with an unresponsive touch screen in your car, there are several steps you can take to try to fix the problem. Here are some potential solutions:
#1. Clean the touchscreen.
This step may be too obvious to many, but the truth is if the touchscreen is dirty, it can easily malfunction, and this is the first thing I always do. Make sure the screen is clean.
For cleaning it, I use a microfiber cloth and some vinegar-based cleaner. Just make sure to avoid getting any liquid onto the car, as it can damage the electronics.
Another thing you should check is the screen protector. Sometimes air bulbs between both surfaces cause issues with screen responsiveness.
To learn more, check out my other article about cleaning car touch screens.
#2. Check the touch screen’s connections:
Ensure the power and data cables are securely connected to the car’s electronics and the touch screen.
Fix all loose connections and replace the wire connectors if needed. Sometimes, you may need to remove the display from the car and check the internal soldering points.
#3. Restart the touchscreen:
Try disconnecting and reconnecting the power supply or powering off and back on if possible.
#4. Perform a soft reset (reset to default settings):
This can help reset any misconfigured settings and may fix the problem without losing your data or customizations.
#5. Check for software updates:
Some touchscreen issues can be fixed simply by updating the software version. Therefore, check for any available updates and install them on the car’s system menu as soon as they are available.
#6. Perform a hard reset:
This is a more extreme option that can reset the car’s touchscreen and other electronics. For a hard system reset, consult the car’s manual or contact the manufacturer for instructions.
#7. Replace the touch screen:
In some cases, if none of the above methods work, you may need to replace the touch screen altogether.
This should be done by a qualified technician and may require you to purchase a new touchscreen unit.
Conclusion
If your car’s touch screen is not working correctly, there are several possible causes and solutions.
Cleaning the touchscreen, checking its connections, restarting it by pressing and holding a power button, or even performing a hard reset are the most common and can be quickly done at home.
If none of these steps work, you may have to contact the manufacturer or replace the unit altogether.