UConnect Touchscreen Not Working (Why + Quick Fix)

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It is not unheard of for the UConnect touchscreen to suddenly stop working. This can happen in a few different ways. It could be on and display all of the available options, but it will not respond when the buttons are pressed. During the boot phase, your UConnect may become unresponsive or constantly loop back continuously. Another issue is when the touch panel acts erratically and activates buttons randomly. This can be very frustrating.

In this piece, I will discuss the steps you need to take if the UConnect touchscreen is not working. I will also discuss the potential factors that could lead to this issue and the solutions that can fix it.

Why the UConnect Touchscreen Is Not Working

In summary, software bugs, short circuits, and physical damage to the screen are among the potential causes of the Uconnect touch screen not working. The remedy could be a soft reset, hard reset, firmware upgrade, and/or screen replacement.

What are the possible causes of your touchscreen malfunction? This problem has various potential causes, and each will require a unique solution.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these causes:

  • Short Circuit: There is a possibility that the issue is associated with the hardware and was brought about by a short circuit. If you are technically savvy, you can try fixing this yourself, but if you aren’t, you can always bring in the experts once you’ve tried everything you can think of to solve it on your own.
  • Unplugged Power Cable: It is related to the point made above; however, the problem could be caused by power cables or other connector cables that are not firmly connected. A physical inspection of your UConnect system is required to determine or rule out this possibility.
  • Software Error: It’s not uncommon for the firmware that powers the UConnect to experience some error. There have been multiple accounts of Jeep drivers experiencing problems with their vehicle’s firmware, which have resulted in the need for either a factory reset or an upgrade to fix the issue.
  • Damaged Fuse: A damaged fuse could be the cause of your problem.  In most cases, this is connected to the fuses labeled F49 and F67. I recommend checking these and replacing them if necessary.
  • Damaged Screen: Damage to your UConnect system may be the reason behind your touch screen’s inability to function properly. One of the many reasons for this is that individuals wipe the UConnect touch screen with corrosive materials or chemicals in water. A common complaint associated with this issue is that the screen begins to peel and, consequently, stops functioning completely.
  • Blank UConnect Screen: A malfunction in the software of the Uconnect could be the cause. If you have just upgraded the Uconnect system on your vehicle, there is a risk that the software will contain an error. You can attempt to reinstall it, but if it doesn’t work, then the only other choice is to wait until an update is available for your car’s model. The Uconnect software requires an update. The Uconnect system may no longer work properly with your phone if you have recently changed the operating system on your phone. If updating your phone does not solve the issue, you can try removing and reinstalling the Uconnect app on your phone, or you can wait until there is a new update available.

How to Fix UConnect Touch Screen Issues

Now that I’ve identified the potential reasons let’s look at the solutions that could resolve these issues.

Soft Reset

The first thing you should do is perform a soft reset. This works best in systems with buttons for activating the phone and the voice assistant on the steering wheel. The following is the procedure to perform the reset:

  • Hold down the phone and voice activation buttons for 10 to 20 seconds.
  • Your UConnect will display your Jeep trim logo before going off.
  • Your screen will turn back on, displaying your trim logo.
  • Then, your UConnect system will restart.

Test to see if the touch screen is working. If not, you can attempt the method explained below.

Unplugging Negative Terminal

If the soft reset does not work, you will need to do a hard reset, which requires removing the negative terminal from the battery for at least five minutes.

This allows all of the stored charges in the system to discharge completely. Here’s how it works:

  • Detach the negative or both terminals from the battery.
  • Wait for at least 5 minutes.
  • Reconnect the terminals.
  • Turn on ignition.
  • Then, your UConnect system will reset.

Update the Firmware

If you try the above solutions but the issue persists, you may need to upgrade the device’s firmware to see if it will resolve the issue.

It is not a simple process, but if you look carefully enough, you should be able to find websites or online communities where you can download the firmware. You may also find a large number of tutorials on YouTube that will guide you through the process of updating the firmware on your device.

However, if you want to prevent any potential adverse implications in the future, it is in your best interest to let the dealership handle this problem on your behalf.

Change the screen

The final option is to assume that your screen is faulty and has to be replaced. Unless you have extensive experience in the electronics repair field, I recommend you leave it to trained professionals.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Frozen screen

Unfortunately, Grand Cherokees are prone to having their screens frozen after a while; however, there is an easy fix for this problem.

If the display on your 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee is frozen, you can try to unfreeze it by pressing and holding the enter button and the volume button for 15 to 25 seconds.

Conclusion

After reading this article, ideally, you should now be able to understand the causes of your UConnect touch screen not working and how you can fix it on your own.

Published by Regan