Why is there no sound on my Android Auto Bluetooth?

Android Auto is Google’s platform that extends the Android operating system into vehicle infotainment systems. It allows users to access apps and services from their Android phone on the vehicle’s display screen. A key feature of Android Auto is Bluetooth audio streaming, which allows you to play media from your phone over your car’s speakers wirelessly.

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is commonly used for audio transmission between devices like smartphones and car infotainment systems. When Android Auto is connected via Bluetooth, the media audio from your phone can be heard through your car speakers so you can listen to music, podcasts, audiobooks and more hands-free while driving.

Common Causes of No Sound

One of the most common reasons Android Auto may not be outputting sound is because the Bluetooth connection between your phone and car is not properly set up. Here are some Bluetooth-related issues that can prevent sound:

Bluetooth Not Enabled on Phone: Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone’s settings. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection preferences and ensure Bluetooth is enabled.1

Bluetooth Not Paired: You need to go through the pairing process to connect your phone and car via Bluetooth. Open Bluetooth settings on both devices, put the car stereo in pairing mode, and connect them. Refer to your car manual for pairing instructions.2

If the devices will not pair, try forgetting the connection on both ends and pairing again from scratch. This often resolves pairing issues.

Bluetooth Not Enabled on Phone

One of the most common reasons for no sound on Android Auto is that Bluetooth is not enabled on your Android phone. To enable Bluetooth on an Android phone:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.

2. Tap Connections or Connected devices.

3. Tap Bluetooth.

4. Toggle the Bluetooth switch to the ON position.¹

This will turn on Bluetooth on your Android phone so it can connect to your car’s infotainment system. Make sure Bluetooth is set to remain on so that the connection persists whenever you get in your car.

If Bluetooth is already enabled but you still have no sound, you may need to disconnect and reconnect the Bluetooth pairing between your phone and car stereo. You can also try restarting your phone or performing a reset of Android Auto, covered later in this guide.

Bluetooth Not Paired

One of the most common reasons for no sound over Bluetooth on Android Auto is that your phone is not properly paired with your car’s Bluetooth system. The pairing process allows the phone and car stereo to communicate with each other wirelessly. If this pairing is not done or gets corrupted, audio will not transmit properly.

To pair your Android phone with your car’s Bluetooth system, first go into your phone’s Bluetooth settings and ensure Bluetooth is turned on. Then go into your car’s audio system settings, usually by pressing a Setup or Bluetooth button on the console. Follow the on-screen prompts to put the car stereo into Bluetooth pairing mode. Your car stereo may give you a PIN to enter into your phone to complete the pairing. Once paired, set your car’s audio source to Bluetooth or Bluetooth Audio to play sound from your phone.

If you’ve paired before but now have no audio, try unpairing and forgetting the Bluetooth connection on both devices, then re-pairing from scratch. This often resolves connection issues that prevent audio transmission. You can also try resetting the car stereo or performing a factory reset on your Android phone to remove any corrupted pairing data. Just be sure to backup your device first and re-pair after resetting. If the devices still won’t pair, there may be compatibility issues requiring a software update or firmware upgrade.

For step-by-step pairing instructions specific to your car model, check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website. There are usually detailed guides to walk you through the pairing process.

Incorrect Audio Source Selected

One common reason for no sound over Bluetooth on Android Auto is having the wrong audio source selected on your car’s infotainment system. Many cars allow you to choose between radio, CD, auxiliary input, Bluetooth and other audio sources.

To get sound from your Android phone through Android Auto, you need to select the Bluetooth audio source on your car’s console. This pairs the infotainment system with your phone’s Bluetooth and allows Android Auto to transmit audio over that wireless connection.

If you have the car stereo set to an FM radio station or other input, you won’t hear sounds from Android Auto even if your phone shows it’s connected. Double check that your car audio is set to Bluetooth. There may be a button on your dashboard or steering wheel to cycle through media sources.

According to users on Reddit and Samsung community forums, this is one of the most frequent mix-ups that leads to missing audio over Bluetooth in Android Auto. Simply choosing the Bluetooth audio source instead of radio or another input resolves the problem in many cases (source).

Connection Issues

Connectivity issues between your Android phone and car are one of the most common reasons for no audio through Android Auto. Here are some troubleshooting tips:

Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. Go to Settings > Connected Devices > Connection Preferences > Bluetooth and toggle it on. You can’t use Android Auto wirelessly without Bluetooth.
Check that your phone and car are paired correctly over Bluetooth. Go through the pairing process again if needed (see your car’s manual).

If you connect via USB, try a different USB cable. Some cables are for charging only and don’t transmit data. Use the original cable that came with your phone if possible.
Restart both your phone and car stereo/infotainment system. This can clear up software glitches that prevent connectivity.
Check for Android Auto app updates on your phone and update your car’s infotainment software if available. Updates sometimes include bug fixes.

As a last resort, delete your phone from your car’s system and delete your car from your phone, then re-pair them. This forces the connection to start fresh.

If the above steps don’t restore Android Auto audio, the issue likely requires professional diagnosis of a hardware or software fault in your phone or car system.

App or Software Bugs

One common cause of no sound on Android Auto Bluetooth is bugs in the Android Auto app or other software on your device. Google has acknowledged some known audio bugs in Android Auto over the past couple years. For example, a September 2022 AndroidPolice article reported distorted or static-like audio after using Assistant or making calls. Other users have reported no audio at all from music, podcasts or other media.

Often these Android Auto audio bugs are fixed in app updates, so make sure you’re running the latest version of Android Auto. Go to the Play Store and check for any available updates. You may also need to update your phone’s operating system or other apps like Spotify that integrate with Android Auto. Keeping your software updated is the best way to avoid and resolve pesky bugs that can cause technical issues like no sound.

Hardware Problems

Faulty cables or Bluetooth modules in your car or phone can cause the no sound issue in Android Auto. Cables connect your phone to the car’s infotainment system and allow audio to be transmitted. If the cable is damaged, corroded, or loose, it may interrupt this audio signal resulting in no sound. Similarly, the Bluetooth module in your phone or car handles the wireless pairing and audio streaming over Bluetooth. If either module is malfunctioning due to hardware failure, it can cut off the audio feed to your car speakers when using Android Auto wirelessly [1].

To troubleshoot, first inspect your Android Auto cables for any visible damage or corrosion on the connectors. Try swapping to a different high-quality cable recommended for Android Auto. Also unpair and re-pair your phone’s Bluetooth connection to your car’s infotainment system. If different cables and Bluetooth re-pairing does not restore audio, you may need to get your car’s Bluetooth module or your phone replaced to resolve a hardware defect. Dealing with intermittent sound cutouts or distorted audio quality can also indicate a faulty Bluetooth module. Check forums or contact a technician to verify if a hardware issue is causing the no sound problem in Android Auto.

Reset Android Auto

Sometimes resetting the Android Auto app and clearing cached data can resolve audio issues. Here are the steps to reset Android Auto on your Android phone:

Open the Settings app on your Android phone.
Tap on Apps or Application Manager.

Scroll down and select Android Auto.
Tap on Storage.
Tap on Clear Cache to clear cached data for the app.

Go back to the Android Auto page in Settings.
Tap on Reset App Preferences to reset the app.

Resetting app data forces Android Auto to start fresh which can clear up underlying software glitches causing no audio. Make sure to test Android Auto audio again after resetting the app. If the issue persists, you may need to troubleshoot other potential causes.

Source: https://www.ottocast.com/blogs/carplay-adapter/how-do-i-reset-android-auto

Get Professional Help

In some cases, the underlying cause of Android Auto issues may require professional diagnosis and repair. Here are some signs it’s time to take your car to an auto shop or dealer:

You’ve tried all the basic troubleshooting steps like rebooting, reinstalling apps, switching cables, and updating software, but Android Auto still does not work.

The problem started suddenly after an update or other change, with no clear user-fixable cause.
Your car infotainment screen shows error messages related to Android Auto.
Android Auto works fine with some phones but not others, pointing to a car system compatibility issue.

You get blank screens, laggy performance, or other glitches indicating a hardware problem.

Dealership technicians and auto repair shops have specialized tools and software to diagnose Android Auto problems. They can check for issues with the USB port, cables, infotainment system software, and other in-car components. If fixes require parts replacement or complex calibration, professionals are best equipped to handle it properly. They also stay up-to-date on the latest troubleshooting procedures from automakers and Google.

Before taking your car in, document the problem in detail, noting when it occurs and exact symptoms. This helps the technician make an efficient diagnosis. Be prepared to pay diagnostic fees even if the problem ends up having a simple fix. Professional repair costs will vary depending on the specific issue.