Apple’s CarPlay is a feature that has transformed how we interact with our phones on the go. By integrating their iPhones with their car’s infotainment system, CarPlay provides a seamless and safer way to access essential apps while driving. However, despite its numerous advantages, you might sometimes face CarPlay not working, which can be frustrating.
This article will explore some of the most common solutions for when CarPlay isn’t working, ranging from simple software fixes to more complex hardware remedies. So, if your Apple CarPlay not working in Honda Civic/CRV or some other car, you must read this post until the end.
Consider following the methods mentioned below and test the service after every method to ensure the one that works.
What Is CarPlay?
CarPlay is a feature created by Apple that enables drivers to integrate their iPhones with their car’s infotainment system. It offers a streamlined and safer way to access and use select iPhone apps and features while on the road. You can also control and manage various iPhone apps through your car’s touchscreen or Siri voice commands.
Messaging services, music streaming services, navigation apps, and more are among the CarPlay-compatible apps. The interface is designed to be simple and easy to use, with large icons and minimal distractions to help drivers maintain their focus on the road. Depending on the car and iPhone model, CarPlay supports wired and wireless connections to the car’s infotainment system.
Possible Reasons Why Apple CarPlay Is Not Working:
There are various reasons why you might be facing CarPlay not working problem. Since this service uses Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity to work, there are chances that they are not working. If your Apple CarPlay is not working, software or hardware compatibility issues might occur.
Sometimes third-party apps or services like Apple Music Classical app might interrupt the working of the service. It is essential to understand the different reasons behind this problem to solve it. Below we have listed a few major causes of phone charging but CarPlay not working problem.
- CarPlay not working because of geo-restriction.
- The car’s model does not support CarPlay.
- The installed iOS version is not compatible with CarPlay.
- Network or Cache problem.
- Connectivity issues.
- Hardware issues (cable or device damaged).
- Security settings of the iPhone.
And many more.
How To Fix CarPlay Not Working Issue?
Now you know the reasons and causes of the CarPlay iPhone not working, and it is your turn to fix it. Depending on the cause, you can follow a designated method to eliminate the issue. Getting support from the car’s manufacturer or Apple will fasten the process, but it is time-consuming and might cost you money.
Most of the time, the person himself can solve the issue, YOU. Below we have shared some working CarPlay not working fixes that you can follow to make the CarPlay work again.
1. Ensure CarPlay’s Availability In Your Region:
Don’t get hyped up after installing or setting up the CarPlay until it works. Well, sorry to break the secret, but CarPlay is not available in every country worldwide. Also, it supports certain iOS and iPad devices. You don’t have to try connecting it to test its compatibility.
Apple’s official website has a dedicated page to find the regions where Apple’s CarPlay service is available. Remember that the list gets updated daily, so you might have to visit the website and see if it is available in your region. This is handy as you can see the availability before getting it for your car.
2. Enable The CarPlay On iPhone; If Disabled:
Almost every operating system has security features that disable unused or third-party services when not used often. This can be why you cannot connect your car with CarPlay, as the iOS device has disabled the feature. You must use your device’s Settings app to enable the service again.
- The option can be found in Settings -> General -> CarPlay.
See if your car is appearing under the My Cars section. If it is there, click on it to start the connection. If it is not on the list, press and Hold the voice control button on your car’s steering wheel to start the connection setup.
Another setting you must enable to make it work again: to make CarPlay work even when the iOS device is locked. This ensures that your car will receive notifications and music will be played even when you are not using your device.
- You can do it by going into Settings -> General -> Carplay.
- A list of connected automobiles will appear.
- Click on the car’s name on which you are having the issue.
- Make sure the Allow CarPlay While Locked option is on.
- If it is off, then use the Toggle Button to turn it on.
3. Configure Siri To Work With CarPlay:
Since CarPlay has a voice control feature, you must enable Siri on your iOS device. If you are facing CarPlay Siri not working problem, then you can use the Settings app to enable this feature. It doesn’t matter if you use voice commands with CarPlay; you must enable it by following the steps below.
- Open the Settings app and tap Siri & Search.
- Under the Ask Siri section, enable the option that says:
Press Side Button For Siri (on an iPhone with Face ID).
Press Home For Siri (on other iPhone models). - Once done, try connecting or using the CarPlay.
4. Restart Your iOS Device:
If you’ve checked and configured all the basic settings and CarPlay is still not working correctly, restarting your iPhone can often help. Doing this can clear out any corrupted data, crashed apps, and other digital debris that may be causing issues with CarPlay. This process is very straightforward and only takes a few seconds.
Hold down the power button to restart your iPhone until the “Slide To Power Off” option appears. Slide to power off, wait a few seconds and then hold down the power button again to turn your iPhone back on. Once your iPhone has restarted, reconnect it to your car’s infotainment system and check if CarPlay is working properly.
5. Check The Attached USB Cable:
If you are thinking, why is my Apple CarPlay not working? Well, the issue lies in front of you. To ensure that your CarPlay is working properly, it is important to ensure your iPhone is properly connected to your car’s infotainment system through a USB Lightning cable. This wired connection is necessary for most cars to support CarPlay.
If you’re having trouble connecting, ensure the USB cable is securely plugged in and try switching to a different USB input if available. Also, inspect the cable for any visible damage and replace it with a new one if necessary.
6. Reconnect CarPlay With Your Device:
Sometimes, CarPlay’s connection with the device may have become corrupted. If CarPlay is still not working correctly after following the above mentioned methods, it’s time to reset the connection. You can remove the Car from your iPhone’s settings and then connect it again to reset the connection between them.
- Open the Settings app, then go to General Settings.
- Find and click on the CarPlay option.
- A list of all paired cars will appear.
- Click on the Car you are having the issue with.
- Now, tap on Forget This Car option.
You can begin setting up the Car again by connecting your iOS device to the Car via USB. After that, hold the voice command button of your Car, which will generally be on the steering wheel. If you are unsure of the process, you can watch some tutorial videos on YouTube about the setup process.
7. Download And Install The Latest CarPlay Updates:
If you have iOS 16, you will have to ensure that your iPhone and your car’s infotainment system are up to date with the latest software versions. Updating your iOS device to the latest version is pretty easy, as the option can be found in Settings -> General -> Software Update.
While updating your car’s infotainment system’s software can be more complicated and will vary depending on the make and model of your car. The best is to read the instructions manual or watch YouTube videos. If you cannot do it yourself, consult your car’s manufacturer.
Remember that many cars allow you to install updates over a WiFi network, while some may require a USB drive. You can prevent compatibility issues between the iOS device and CarPlay by updating their respective software.
8. Enable Both Bluetooth And WiFi:
The best thing about CarPlay is that it works with wired and wireless connections. If you use the wireless mode, ensure your iOS device’s Bluetooth and WiFi are enabled. Also, many people solved the CarPlay microphone not working problem by disabling the clean energy charging feature and Airplane mode.
It may sound like a very basic thing, but it does make a huge impact on your device’s overall connectivity and wireless connections. Enabling WiFi and Bluetooth is required only when using the CarPlay in wireless mode; if you use a wired USB cable connection, you can turn them off.
9. Make Sure CarPlay Isn’t Restricted:
There are fewer chances that CarPlay not working issue is being caused by this feature, but yes, there are possibilities. Since CarPlay uses many services and you must grant various permissions, security iOS apps can disable it from running. If you get connection alerts on your device when you plug it into the car, you can enable it from the settings.
- Open the Settings app and click on Screen Time.
- If the option is OFF, turn it ON.
- Next, click on Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- On the next page, click on Allowed Apps.
- A list of all installed apps will appear.
- Find the CarPlay app on the list and use the Toggle Button to turn it ON.
Even if your CarPlay Apple Maps is not working, you can solve the issue by enabling the app from the list. You might also have to enable the Content & Privacy Restrictions feature if you have not used it before. After following this method, your CarPlay Waze not working problem will be solved.
10. Reach Out To Apple Support:
We are sorry if none of the methods mentioned above could fix your CarPlay not working problem. No worries because Apple Support will help you resolve the issue. There are various ways to connect with them; you can visit the official website and use a suitable method to contact them.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can disconnect and restart both devices if you cannot reset Apple CarPlay completely. First, make sure the Bluetooth and WiFi of your iOS device are turned off. Next, power off the iPhone device then turns off the car’s infotainment system. Wait for a couple of seconds, and then turn both of them on.
If you are facing a phone charging, but CarPlay is not working problem, there might be issues with your USB connection. See if the USB port of your car or the cable you are using is Apple certified. If you use wireless connection mode, ensure your model supports it and the connection is secured.
Wireless modes like Bluetooth and WiFi do not work as efficiently as a USB connection. Even if your car’s model support wireless CarPlay, we will recommend using a USB lightning cable. Wireless connections can get interrupted by various means, so we recommend a USB. But yes, you can use Bluetooth to use CarPlay.
Many users around the world are facing CarPlay not working problem. This is because of a bug that Apple later patched. You must update your CarPlay to the latest version to make it work again. Also, check both wired and wireless connections, and if possible, try resetting both devices again.
Users who use wireless connection modes are a victim of this problem, and if you are among them, consider trying a wired connection to see if the problem persists. Still, if you face the issue, you can reset the car’s infotainment system and CarPlay app on your iOS device. You can also contact your manufacturer for additional support.
Final Words:
The CarPlay is an amazing service from Apple as it also supports third-party apps, allowing developers to create CarPlay-compatible apps for their services. CarPlay is available only on selected car models from manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Ford, Honda, Porsche, etc.
Remember that to use CarPlay, you must use iPhone 5 or later running iOS 7.1 or later. We have tried to mention the best possible ways to fix CarPlay Apple not working, and we hope you can get rid of the issue by now. You can keep visiting the New Vision Theatres website as we will keep this post updated with more methods to fix the CarPlay not working problem.
Hi, I am Anshul Mathur. A Cisco Certified Network Associate and Blogger from Sikar, Rajasthan. I love digging deep into the technology world, therefore I write about it on this blog.
