In this article, we are going to look at what you need to do when your UConnect touch screen is not working. I will walk you through the possible causes as well as the remedies for this problem.
It’s not uncommon for the UConnect touch screen to stop responding. This can happen in several ways. Your screen may stop responding altogether.
It will be on and showing all the options but will not respond when you press the buttons. Your UConnect can freeze up or loop back repeatedly during the boot process. Another problem is when the touch panel has a mind of its own and activates buttons randomly.
Why is the UConnect Touch Screen not Working? 5 Possible Causes
In short, the possible causes of the Uconnect touch screen not working include software glitches, short circuits, and physical damage to the screen.
What are the possible causes of your touch screen not working properly? There are several possible causes of this issue and each individual cause will require a different method for fixing it.
Let’s look at these in more detail.
1. Software Glitch
It’s quite common for the firmware in the UConnect to glitch. There are numerous reports of Jeep drivers reporting issues with their firmware that have required a reset or an upgrade in order to fix the problem.
The glitch can manifest in several different ways but will ultimately render the touch screen unusable.
2. Short Circuit
The problem could be hardware-related and be caused by a short circuit. You can attempt to fix this yourself if you are technically inclined or you can have professionals look at it once you have exhausted any DIY remedies.
3. Disconnected Power Cable
It’s linked to the above point but loose power and other connector cables could be the cause of your problem. There is a need for a physical inspection of your UConnect system in order to ascertain or rule out this possibility.
4. Physical Damage to Screen
Sometimes the reason for your touch screen not working could be due to physical damage to your UConnect system.
The causes for this are numerous but one of the most common is people cleaning the UConnect touch screen using corrosive material or water-based products. A common report attributed to this is the screen peeling and eventually not working anymore.
5. Blown Out Fuse
Your problem could be a blown-out fuse. This is usually related to the F49 and F67 fuses. It’s a good idea to inspect and replace these where necessary.
UConnect Touch Screen not working: Black Screen
Sometimes, it can happen that you have a black screen after starting your Jeep. There are two possible causes for the black sreeen.
- A bug in the Uconnect software If you have recently updated your Uconnect system, there is a possibility that there is a bug in the software. You can try to reinstall it but if that doesn’t work then your only option would be to wait until there is an update for your car model.
- Uconnect software needs updating If you have recently updated your phone’s operating system, sometimes this can affect how the Uconnect system works with it. If updating your phone didn’t fix the problem then try uninstalling and reinstalling the Uconnect app on your phone or wait until there is a new update for it
Grand Cherokees especially the
How To Fix UConnect Touch Screen? 4 Solutions
The fixes include soft reset, hard reset, firmware upgrade, and replacing the screen.
Let’s look how the solutions are in detail.
1. Soft Reset
The first port of call is to do a soft reset. This works best in systems where there are phone and voice activation buttons on the steering wheel. Here is how you do the reset:
- Press the phone and voice activation buttons for 10 to 20 seconds.
- Your UConnect will show your Jeep trim logo and switch off.
- Your screen will switch on again showing your trim logo.
- Your UConnect system is now reset.
Test the touch screen to see if it’s now working. If not, try the following method.
2. Disconnecting Negative Terminal
Sometimes the soft reset may not work so you may need to do a hard reset and this method involves removing the negative terminal from the battery for at least 5 minutes.
Doing this allows all the stored charges in the system to completely discharge. Here is how this works.
- Remove the negative or both terminals from the battery.
- Wait for at least 5 minutes.
- Reconnect the terminals.
- Turn ignition to ON position.
- Your UConnect System will reset.
3. Firmware Upgrade
When you try the above methods and the problem persists, you may need to try a firmware upgrade to see if that takes care of the problem.
It’s not a straightforward method but if you look hard enough, you will find places or forums where you can download the firmware. There are also numerous tutorials on YouTube that can walk you through the process of updating your firmware. Consider that doing this on your own could have an impact on your warranty.
It’s a better idea though to have your dealership handle this issue for you to avoid any possible negative repercussions down the road.
4. Replacing the Screen
The last port of call is to consider that your screen is faulty and needs replacement. In this case, you will need to have the touch screen replaced. Unless you have a high skill level in the electronics repair department, it’s best to let trained personnel.
UConnect Touch Screen not working – Final Thoughts
Hopefully, after reading this article you’re now armed with the knowledge to understand what causes your UConnect touch screen not working and how you can fix yours.
