Why does my Android Auto connection keep failing?

Android Auto is Google’s connected car system that allows you to mirror apps from your Android phone onto your vehicle’s display. It provides a simplified interface to access navigation, media playback, messaging, and voice commands while driving. Android Auto can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or with a USB cable plugged into your car’s compatible head unit or infotainment system.

One common frustration with Android Auto is intermittent connection failures that prevent it from linking successfully between your phone and car. There are several potential culprits that can disrupt the Android Auto connection and cause it to repeatedly fail or drop out during use. The main culprits include compatibility problems, faulty cables, vehicle compatibility issues, bugs in the Android Auto app, software that needs updating on the phone or vehicle side, network and Bluetooth problems, cached data that needs clearing, or hardware problems requiring a factory reset.

Compatibility Issues

Android Auto has specific requirements for both smartphone hardware and software. It only works with Android phones running Android 5.0 or higher, and is compatible with most major brands like Samsung, LG, Motorola, etc. However, there can still be compatibility issues even with phones that seem to meet the basic requirements.

Some common compatibility issues include:

Older Android versions – Android Auto requires Android 5.0 or newer. If your phone is running an older OS, you’ll need to update it to use Android Auto.
Unsupported brands – Some less common phone brands are not officially supported by Android Auto. This can cause connection issues.

Buggy phone software – Even on supported devices, bugs in your phone’s OS can disrupt the Android Auto connection.
Issues after Android updates – Software updates sometimes introduce bugs that break Android Auto compatibility until a fix is released.

To troubleshoot compatibility issues:

Check Android Auto’s list of compatible phones and ensure your device is supported.
Update your phone’s OS to the latest version available.
Try rebooting your phone and head unit to clear any software glitches.

Toggle Android Auto permissions off and on under app settings.
Check Android Auto forums for issues specific to your phone model.

USB Cable Problems

Using a high quality, undamaged USB cable is essential for Android Auto to function properly. The cable connects your Android phone to your vehicle’s infotainment system, enabling Android Auto. Unfortunately, cable issues are one of the most common reasons for Android Auto connection failures.

The USB cable included with your phone may be damaged, low quality, or become worn out over time, resulting in connectivity problems. Using third party cables, especially low cost options, also frequently causes issues. It’s recommended to use the cable included with your vehicle if available, or purchase a high quality USB cable specifically designed for Android Auto.

If you suspect the USB cable is the issue, first try connecting your phone directly to the USB port to rule out vehicle compatibility problems. If it still fails to connect, replace the cable with a new high quality one, such as the Anker USB-C to USB-A cable recommended by Google ^[1]. This often resolves Android Auto connectivity problems.

Also examine the USB ports in your vehicle and on your phone for any debris, damage or bent/broken pins. Clean out any dust or debris carefully using compressed air. Damaged ports will need professional repair. Finally, make sure you are connecting the USB cable correctly into both the phone and vehicle USB ports for a snug, secure fit.

Vehicle Compatibility Issues

Some specific car models are known to have recurring issues connecting to Android Auto, even if they are listed as compatible. This is often due to software differences between model years or issues with the infotainment system installed in the vehicle.

For example, many Honda and Acura vehicles have had Android Auto connection problems over the years. This includes models like the Honda Accord from 2016-2018, Honda Civic from 2016-2021, and Acura TLX from 2016-2020 ¹. There have also been frequent reports of connection issues with Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen vehicles ².

If you are experiencing persistent connection issues with an otherwise compatible vehicle, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Check for infotainment system software updates from your manufacturer and install if available.
Try disconnecting the battery to reset the infotainment system, then reconnect.
Use an alternate high-quality USB cable, port, or wireless connection method.

Consult dealer support to see if any compatibility fixes are available.

While frustrating, vehicle-specific incompatibilities with Android Auto are often resolved in time through software updates. Checking for the latest car software and contacting the manufacturer is key when troubleshooting these types of issues.

Android Auto App Issues

Common issues with the Android Auto app itself can cause repeated connection problems. Some common app glitches include the app freezing, crashing frequently, or difficulties launching it.

To fix app problems, first try fully updating the Android Auto app to the latest version through the Play Store. If issues continue, uninstall and reinstall the app to refresh it. As a last resort, clearing the app’s cache and data can reset it (source).

Here are the steps to clear the cache and data for Android Auto:

Open your Android device’s Settings app.

Select “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
Find the Android Auto app in the list and select it.
Tap “Storage” then “Clear Cache” to clear the cache.

Tap “Clear Data” to reset the app data.
Restart the Android Auto app and reconnect to your car.

Clearing the cache and data resets the app to factory settings, which often resolves persistent connection issues.

Software Updates

Software updates for Android Auto, your phone’s OS, or your car’s infotainment system can sometimes introduce bugs that disrupt connectivity between devices. Check that you’re running the latest supported versions of Android Auto and your phone’s OS. Also check your car manufacturer’s website for any updates to the infotainment system. If issues started after an update, you may need to wait for a future patch.

To check for Android Auto updates on your phone, open the Android Auto app and go to Settings > About > Version. Tap Update Android Auto to get the latest version. For your phone’s OS, go to Settings > System > System update. Install any available updates. If that doesn’t resolve connectivity problems, you may need to reset app preferences or uninstall/reinstall the Android Auto app as a workaround.

Network and Bluetooth Issues

Connection issues with Android Auto are sometimes caused by problems with your phone’s network or Bluetooth connections. Here are some tips for troubleshooting network and Bluetooth problems with Android Auto:

If you are connecting Android Auto wirelessly through Wi-Fi, try disconnecting and reconnecting to your vehicle’s Wi-Fi network. Ensure the Wi-Fi on your phone and vehicle are turned on. You can also try resetting your phone’s network settings to default which will wipe any problematic configurations.

To reset your network settings on Android, go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset wifi, mobile & Bluetooth. This will reset all network and Bluetooth settings which can resolve any glitches (Source).

Check that Bluetooth is enabled on both your phone and vehicle infotainment system. Try turning Bluetooth off and back on again to re-pair your phone. Go to Android Settings > Connected devices > Previously connected devices and remove your car’s Bluetooth profile, then re-pair the phone.

Ensure location services are enabled on your Android device for the Android Auto app. You can go to Settings > Apps > Android Auto > Permissions and check location is allowed. Bluetooth and location services need to be permitted for Android Auto to function properly.

Finally, you can try rebooting your phone which can reset any network or Bluetooth errors that may have occurred. Turn off Bluetooth as well during the reboot and re-enable it after restarting the phone.

Cache and Data Clearing

One of the most common fixes for connectivity issues with Android Auto is to clear the app’s cache and data. The app cache stores temporary files and data to help the app run more smoothly. Over time, this cache can become corrupted or too large, which can cause performance issues.

Clearing the cache and data forces Android Auto to rebuild its temporary files and refresh all settings. According to Ottocast, this often resolves glitches and connection problems with Android Auto.

To clear the Android Auto cache and data on your Android device:

Open your Settings app

Select Apps or Application Manager
Find and select the Android Auto app
Tap Storage or Storage & Cache

Tap Clear Cache and Clear Data

This will wipe the app cache and reset Android Auto to default settings. After clearing the data, you may need to re-pair your phone with your car’s infotainment system. Then test connecting to Android Auto again to see if connectivity has improved.

Regularly clearing cache and data for Android Auto can help optimize performance and fix common connection bugs. Just be sure not to overuse this fix, as it will reset any customizations each time.

Factory Resets

One of the most effective troubleshooting steps for a persistently failing Android Auto connection is performing a factory reset on the phone and/or in-vehicle unit. This will wipe out any corrupted data or software issues and provide a clean slate. However, note that a factory reset will delete all data, settings, and installed apps, so make sure anything important is backed up first.

To factory reset an Android phone, open Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data (factory reset). On the vehicle’s infotainment system, consult the owner’s manual for steps – there should be a Factory Data Reset option in the settings. Completely powering down and rebooting both devices can also help.

While inconvenient, factory resets are sometimes the only way to resolve Android Auto problems that other basic troubleshooting steps have not fixed (http://www.androidauthority.com/android-auto-problems-fixes-3168245/). The nuclear option of wiping both the phone and car system gives Android Auto the fresh start it likely needs to get up and running smoothly again.

Contacting Support

If you continue having issues connecting Android Auto after trying other troubleshooting steps, you may need to contact technical support. There are a few options for getting help:

Contact Google’s Android Auto support team by email at [email protected] or by phone at 855-971-9121. They can help troubleshoot general connectivity issues with the Android Auto app.

Reach out to your vehicle manufacturer’s support line to see if they can assist with vehicle-specific compatibility issues. Check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for contact details. For example: Samsung, Toyota, Honda, etc.

Take your vehicle to the dealership or an authorized repair shop. They can inspect for hardware issues covered under warranty and test Android Auto connectivity in the vehicle.

As a last resort, you may need to perform a factory reset on your phone or vehicle infotainment system. This should only be done after ruling out all other issues.

With some troubleshooting help from Android Auto or vehicle manufacturer support teams, you should be able to get Android Auto working smoothly in your car.