If your Ford Explorer’s SYNC display is acting up, freezing, or not responding, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Most Ford Explorer owners have had issues with their infotainment system’s touch screen due to software glitches and system overloads. Most of the time, a simple reset fixes the problem. Follow this guide from our team at John Kennedy Ford Phoenixville to fix your Ford Explorer’s screen in a few quick steps.
Signs of a Frozen Multimedia Screen
If you’re not sure if your screen needs a reset, below are a few telltale signs that something’s off:
- Touch screen stops responding: You’ve tried tapping on icons and swiping the screen, but there’s still no response.
- Black or blank screen: The display is off, but you can still hear audio.
- Your screen is stuck on the Ford logo: The screen gets stuck in an endless boot-up loop, continuously rebooting regardless of what buttons you press.
- Audio glitches: Your music cuts out, the volume buttons don’t work, or Bluetooth disconnects.
- App crashes or errors: Navigation, music, or phone applications repeatedly shut down or display error messages during normal operation.
Preparing Your Ford Explorer Screen for a Reset
If you’re experiencing any of the issues above, it’s time for a system reset. To start, park in a safe location, preferably with the engine running or in accessory mode. It’s also a good idea to check if the screen’s power connectivity is intact. You may also want to turn off other systems, such as the air conditioning and seat-heating, to minimize power usage. You can now proceed and reset your screen.
Step-By-Step Guide to Resetting Your Ford Explorer Screen
Ford Explorer vehicles come with two screen reset options: master and soft reset. A soft reset is the digital equivalent of restarting your computer — it’s quick, simple, and solves most minor glitches without affecting your saved settings. A master reset erases all your saved settings but can fix more serious issues.
How To Soft Reset Your Ford Explorer Screen
The exact button combination for a soft reset depends on your Ford Explorer’s model year and SYNC system version. For most modern Ford Explorers, follow these steps:
- Make sure your vehicle is running (or at least in accessory mode).
- Locate the power button (center of the volume knob) and the seek right button (it’s depicted as >>| or an arrow pointing right).
- Press and hold both buttons at the same time for around 10 seconds.
- Wait for the screen to go black.
- Release the buttons and allow the system to reboot.
If the system fails to restart, turn off the vehicle, then open and close the driver’s door. Restart the car after 30 seconds. The extended power cycle from the restart should resolve the issue.
How To Execute a Master Reset
Try the master reset if your Ford Explorer screen still isn’t working after a soft reset. Remember, a master reset clears your infotainment system memory and will disconnect all paired devices, remove audio preferences, and reset the climate controls to the default settings. You can execute a master reset on your Ford Explorer infotainment screen by following these steps:
- Park your vehicle and leave it running in an open location.
- Tap the Settings button on your touch screen.
- For SYNC 3 systems, select General.
- Scroll down and press Master Reset.
- A confirmation message will warn you that all system settings will be erased.
- Press Continue to proceed.
- As the system turns off, a message saying “Resetting to factory defaults” will appear.
Wait patiently as the screen goes blank for several minutes, and the system will automatically reboot once it’s done.
How To Reset Using the Battery Disconnect Method
If your screen is completely unresponsive or the system settings method fails, a physical reset might do the trick.
Fuse Method
Locate and remove the Ford SYNC fuse, wait 30 seconds, then reinsert it. This forces an instant hard reset with minimal system disruption.
Battery Disconnect Method
Disconnecting the battery might also work:
- Turn off your vehicle completely.
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Wait approximately 15-30 seconds (some technicians recommend touching the disconnected cables together to discharge the capacitors).
- Reconnect the battery cable.
- Start your vehicle and wait for the system to reboot fully.
Troubleshooting Common Issues After a Reset
You might want to troubleshoot common issues after a reset, just to make sure that the system is fully functional and won’t experience similar problems in the future. Below are common issues to look out for:
- Screen still frozen: If your screen is still frozen after a reset, you may want to check for system updates on Ford’s website or through your car’s settings options.
- Random reboots: If your infotainment screen keeps rebooting randomly, you may want to check the fuses or call a service center for a professional inspection.
- Audio is not syncing: If your phone isn’t syncing, try disconnecting it from the system and re-registering it.
Be sure to check our Youtube channel for new videos about Ford vehicles and “How To” videos that you can use on your Ford vehicle. If you’re having trouble with connecting your phone to Ford SYNC 4, watch the video below for help!
Preventive Measures and Maintenance Tips
Now that your screen is working perfectly, use these tips to stop the problem from recurring.
- Update software regularly: Ford releases patches for bug fixes that you can download via USB or Wi-Fi. You may also want to regularly check your email for notifications on these updates.
- Eject USB drives safely: Yanking out USB drives can corrupt the system. Always follow safe USB ejection procedures.
- Clean the screen gently: Use a microfiber cloth and avoid harsh chemicals. You should also take care not to spill coffee or water on your infotainment system.
- Schedule check-ups: During routine service visits, be sure to mention any screen glitches to our mechanics. Our trained professionals will help you resolve them.
Service Your Ford Explorer at John Kennedy Ford Phoenixville
If you’ve tried all the reset methods described above and your Ford Explorer’s screen continues to malfunction, it might indicate a more serious hardware issue. Our experienced service team is ready to help with any infotainment system issues your Explorer might have. Call us to schedule a service appointment with our experienced technicians.
Image from ford.com
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