How to fix CarPlay not working: All community recommendations

If you've tried all the usual fixes for a malfunctioning Apple CarPlay, stay with me. When I had this problem, I scoured dozens of forums, media, and blogs, and called half my contact list looking for potential solutions. Now, I'm sharing them here, from the most obvious to the most specific – fix #13 did the trick for me. So, let's tackle the question, "Why won't my Apple CarPlay work?" and see what will help you.

How to fix CarPlay not working: 18 Community recommendations from general to specific

Follow these instructions to fix CarPlay problems:

#1. Make sure CarPlay is enabled

Here's how to do that:

1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app > General.
2. Tap on CarPlay.
3. Choose your car from AVAILABLE CARS, or press and hold the voice control button on your car's steering wheel to start the setup process and pair your car with your phone.

#2. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled

One of the common reasons for CarPlay not connecting is your Bluetooth. Probably, it's just turned off. Here's how to turn it on:

1. On your iPhone, open Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Turn on the toggle.

#3. Enable CarPlay when your phone is locked

Has it ever happened to you that everything worked fine at first, but then suddenly and unexpectedly CarPlay stopped working after a while? If so, it sounds like the feature might turn off when your iPhone is locked.

Follow the steps below to fix this:

1. On your iPhone, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode (depending on your iPhone model). You will need to scroll down.
2. Enter your passcode when prompted.
3. Scroll to the bottom and locate Accessories or USB Accessories.
4. Tap it to enable.

#4. Check your Siri settings

Siri also needs to be turned on for CarPlay to work because it's mostly controlled by voice commands while you're driving. You can quickly fix the issue of CarPlay not working by following these steps:

1. On your iPhone, Open Settings.
2. Tap Siri & Search.
3. Enable these options: Listen for Hey Siri, Press Side Button for Siri, and Allow Siri When Locked.

#5. Use an original/proper cable

Though it sounds obvious, I feel like half of the CarPlay issues mentioned on forums were solved by replacing the cable with an original or proper one. 

• Usually, you need a cable with a direct USB-A to C connection that supports both data and power. Yes, not all cables are the same, and you often can't tell them apart just by looking. You either have to check the specifications or try all the cables you have one by one.
• Ensure you're using a certified Apple cable for your iPhone, as third-party cables may be causing issues with your iPhone and CarPlay.
• Make sure there are no physical cuts or damages to the cable. Any such damages could limit the cable's performance and, therefore, cause CarPlay to malfunction.
• Clean the ports on your iPhone and in your car. Users have reported that even small pieces of lint can prevent a proper connection.
• Check if the cable is firmly connected to your car's USB port and to your iPhone.

In cars that feature wired CarPlay, checking the USB cable for any damages or incompatibilities is always an important step in troubleshooting CarPlay not working. 

#6. Try to restart your iPhone

Sometimes, simply restarting your iPhone can clear out any software bugs or glitches that are preventing Apple CarPlay from working. Here's how to do that:

For iPhone models with no Home Button (iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later):

1. Press and hold the volume up and power button and wait for the Power Off slider to appear.
2. Drag the slider and turn off your iPhone.
3. Wait 30-45 seconds, and then press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone models with a Home Button (iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation):

1. Press and hold the Side Button until the Power Off slider appears.
2. Drag the slider and turn off your iPhone.
3. Wait 30-45 seconds, and then press and hold the Side Button until the Apple logo appears.

#7. Restart your CarPlay from your car

To try to address Apple CarPlay issues, you may need to restart your car's CarPlay and/or infotainment system directly. The exact steps will differ based on your car's manufacturer, model, and year, however, here are some general steps you can follow:

1. In your car's infotainment system, navigate to the settings panel or app.
2. In the settings app or panel, locate System Settings or an equivalent.
3. Look for the CarPlay settings within the menu. Depending on your car model, this might be labeled as Smartphone, Connectivity, or CarPlay.
4. Find the option to reboot or restart.

Your car's infotainment system with CarPlay will then restart.

#8. Turn on AirPlane mode

Just swipe down from the top right of your iPhone screen and tap the airplane icon. Wait a minute, then tap it again to turn it back on. This may fix the issue.

#9. Set up a CarPlay connection again

The exact steps to set up a new CarPlay connection will differ based on your car's manufacturer, model, and year, however, here are some general guidelines:

Wireless CarPlay connection:

1. If your car features a wireless connection for CarPlay, open Settings.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap CarPlay.
4. Select your car from the options listed.
5. Tap Forget This Car.

This will reset the connection between your iPhone and your car, allowing you to set up CarPlay again.

To set up a connection, follow these steps:

1. On your car's steering wheel, press and hold the voice command button for a few seconds.
2. On your iPhone, make sure the Wi-Fi is enabled by going into Settings and Wi-Fi.
3. In Settings, go to General and then tap on CarPlay.
4. Select your car from the options listed and follow the on-screen prompts.

Wired CarPlay connection:

1. If your car features a wired connection for CarPlay, open Settings.
2. Tap on General.
3. Tap on CarPlay.
4. Select your car from the options listed.
5. Tap Forget This Car.
6. Then unplug the USB cable from your iPhone.

This will reset the connection between your iPhone and your car, allowing you to set up CarPlay again.

To set up a connection again, follow these steps:

1. Reconnect your iPhone to the USB cable connected to your car.
2. Follow the on-screen prompts.

I've seen a lot of debate about whether a wired or wireless connection is better for CarPlay. If your car only supports one, the choice is obvious, but if it supports both, you might be unsure. So, here's a quick comparison table to help you decide.

Connection type	Pros	Cons	Common issues	Troubleshooting tips
Wired	Stable connection, minimal battery drain, simple setup	Requires USB cable, potential cable wear, limited mobility	Faulty or non-certified cable, dirty USB port, "Accessory Not Supported" error	Use an Apple-certified cable, clean USB port with compressed air, try a different port
Wireless	No cable needed, convenient, greater mobility	Prone to Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interference, higher battery drain, more complex pairing	Weak Wi-Fi signal, Bluetooth conflicts, VPN interference	Ensure strong Wi-Fi signal, toggle Airplane Mode, reset network settings, disable VPN, and more

#10. Turn off USB Restricted Mode

USB Restricted Mode is an iOS feature that protects user data from hackers using USB devices. This mode internally disables the USB data connection after a period of time. If you have this feature enabled on your iPhone, it will prevent a stable connection and make you wonder, "Why is my CarPlay not working?"

Here's how to turn off USB Restricted Mode if Apple CarPlay not working when plugged in:

1. On your iPhone, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode (depending on your iPhone model).
2. Enter your passcode when prompted.
3. Scroll to the bottom and locate Accessories or USB Accessories. 
4. Turn on the toggle. This will allow you to connect accessories when your iPhone is locked.

#11. Update iOS (or downgrade)

Another great way to fix many software problems is to install the latest iOS update. Developers are constantly working to fix bugs in the system. So if you face the issue that your phone is charging but CarPlay is not working, there may be a software issue that has been fixed in the latest version.

Here's how to make sure your iPhone is up to date:

1. On your iPhone, open the Settings app > General.
2. Tap on Software Update.
3. If an update is available for your device, tap on Download and Install or Install and follow the on-screen prompts.
4. Your iPhone will then download and install the update, which may include the device restarting as it updates.

Conversely, maybe you're using a beta version of an upcoming iOS? If so, consider downgrading to the previous stable version if it worked well for you.

#12. Turn off your VPN

Even if you think you don't have a VPN enabled, go to Settings > General > VPN and Device Management to check it.

Many users have reported that they had accidentally installed a VPN that prevented their phone from connecting to Wi-Fi or CarPlay.

#13. Reset your car's audio system

Another big bunch of fixes mentioned on forums is related to resetting the audio system on the car itself. Worked for me, by the way. Give it a try!

#14. Reset network settings on your iPhone

Here's how the whole process looks like:

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
2. Reconnect the iPhone to the car. 
3. To be on the safe side, additionally, delete your iPhone from your car's settings and your car from your iPhone settings, as described in tip #8.

Note that you will lose your Wi-Fi network passwords, so save them elsewhere if you need them. 

#15. Check device connection status

Some users say that their car's connectivity settings were set to Manual for some reason, and they had to change them to Always Enabled.

The process may differ depending on your car model, but in general, you need to go to your Apple CarPlay Settings, select your phone, and change your device connectivity status to Always Enabled.

#16. Auto-join the network

Check the connection that your car and iPhone establish. Go to your iPhone's Wi-Fi settings and see if there is a connection that starts with "car" or your car's model, or something similar. Then, tap the i icon next to this network and toggle on Auto-join. If it is off, it may fix the issue.

#17. Remove old phones from car connections

If you used to connect another iPhone or smartphone to your car, try removing devices you no longer need from the list in your car settings. For some reason, they might interfere with each other and prevent you from connecting.

In addition, some users reported that their cars would only allow a certain number of phones to be connected, and if the number was too high, the car would refuse to connect a new device. Try deleting a phone to see if this is your problem.

#18. Just wait

I'm sorry to say this, but sometimes the problem isn't with your phone or your car, it's with the operating system itself. I've seen people on the forums complaining that a new version or update of iOS has broken their CarPlay connection, and there's no fix. This happened with the current iOS 18, and I suspect it may happen with future iOSes as well. In that case, you may just have to wait a few days for Apple to release an iOS update with CarPlay bug fixes.

If you're using a beta version of iOS, consider rolling back to the previous stable version and see if that fixes the problem. After that, try resetting your connection to the car and reestablishing it from scratch, just to be sure.

CarPlay not working on your iPhone? Now you know why 

CarPlay is a great, safety-enhancing feature for your car, but sometimes, connectivity issues can take away from the benefits. Fortunately, you now know how to troubleshoot this issue and get back on the road in comfort.

While CarPlay is powerful out of the box, there are ways to elevate it. With apps like Mimir and Boom 3D, you can get interesting podcasts and improve your music listening experience while you drive. You can try both apps at no cost with a single subscription to Setapp, a platform with more than 240 outstanding Mac, iOS, and web apps to help elevate your and your device's performance on all levels. Try any and all Setapp apps today and see for yourself!

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