Why is there no sound when connected to Android Auto?
Android Auto is a smartphone projection system developed by Google to allow drivers to access apps and services on their phone in a safer, driver-friendly format. When connected to a compatible car display or head unit via USB cable or wireless connectivity, Android Auto shows an optimized interface for maps, media playback, calling, messaging, and voice controls.
A key feature of Android Auto is its ability to play audio from music apps, podcasts, audiobooks, navigation guidance, and phone calls over the car’s speakers. This allows drivers to listen to media and hear turn-by-turn directions without having to look at or interact with their phone while driving. However, in some cases, users report issues with Android Auto not outputting any audio when connected to their car’s infotainment system.
Common Causes of No Sound
One of the most common reasons Android Auto may not be outputting any audio is faulty or poor quality cables connecting your phone to your car’s infotainment system. The USB connection must transmit both data for Android Auto and analog audio signals. Low quality or damaged cables may fail at either task resulting in no sound.
Using the cable that came with your phone is recommended, as 3rd party cables often skimp on shielding and amplification required for error-free audio transmission. Visually inspect cables for any damage as well. Many users online report finally resolving audio issues after switching to a high quality USB cable designed for Android Auto. As one Reddit user describes it: “I replaced the USB cable which came with my S9 with an Anker Powerline USB 3 cable and it resolved the no sound issue” (Source).
Cable Connectivity Issues
One of the most common reasons Android Auto may not be transmitting sound is a loose connection or damaged cable preventing proper audio transmission between your phone and car. The cable that connects your phone to your car’s infotainment system carries both data for the Android Auto display and audio signals for music, maps, calls etc. If this cable has any loose or corroded connections, it can cut out the audio even if the data connection remains intact.
Check both ends of the cable – where it plugs into your phone and into your car’s USB port. Wiggling the cable or securing it more firmly may help restore a loose connection. Examine the ports as well for any debris, damage or bent pins. Damaged ports can prevent proper contact between the cable and phone/car. Try connecting your phone with a different high-quality USB cable designed for Android Auto. If sound returns, the original cable was likely defective.
Finally, some cars have multiple USB ports – be sure you are using the correct “smartphone” or CarPlay/Auto compatible port. Using a generic USB port can lead to connectivity issues. Refer to your car’s manual if unsure. Proper cable connectivity is crucial for Android Auto’s functionality.
(Source: https://support.google.com/androidauto/thread/13382542/android-auto-no-media-audio?hl=en)
Bluetooth Pairing Problems
One common cause of no sound in Android Auto is issues with Bluetooth pairing between your phone and car. Android Auto relies on a Bluetooth connection to stream audio from your phone to your car’s speakers. If the Bluetooth pairing gets corrupted or disconnects, it can result in no audio output in Android Auto.
Some signs of Bluetooth pairing problems include Android Auto not being able to connect to your car stereo at all, stuttering or cutting out of audio, issues with phone calls, or the Bluetooth connection dropping randomly. You may be able to temporarily fix it by turning Bluetooth off and back on again on your phone and car stereo. However, a persisting problem likely requires resetting and repairing the Bluetooth devices.
To resolve it, first forget the Bluetooth connection on both your phone and car stereo. Then clear the cache and data for the Android Auto app. Finally, repair and reconnect the Bluetooth devices. You may need to consult your car manual on how to delete and repair the connection on your specific car stereo model. With any luck, repairing the Bluetooth pairing will restore audio in Android Auto.
App and Software Bugs
One of the most common issues that can cause Android Auto to have no sound is bugs with the Android Auto app itself or other apps like Spotify. The Android Auto app is still relatively new and undergoing constant development, which can sometimes introduce audio bugs. Likewise, music streaming apps may have compatibility issues or bugs that prevent audio from working properly through Android Auto.
According to users on Reddit and other forums, Android Auto audio issues often arise after an app or software update. Resetting app permissions and clearing the app cache can sometimes resolve the problem. However, the only permanent solution may be waiting for the app developers to patch the bug in a future update.
The Android Auto subreddit and Google support forums contain many reports of no audio after recent Android Auto app updates. Users complain of no music or podcast sounds, despite audio working when not using Android Auto. This points strongly to an Android Auto app bug being the culprit.
Incorrect Audio Output Settings
A common reason why there may be no audio when connected to Android Auto is having the wrong audio output selected on the phone or car stereo system. Android Auto routes all audio through the car speakers by default. If the phone or car is set to use a different audio output like Bluetooth headphones or the phone’s built-in speakers, no sound will come through the car.
To fix this, check the audio output settings in both the Android Auto app on your phone and the settings on your car’s infotainment system. Make sure Android Auto is selected as the audio source. You may need to manually change the audio output back to the car speakers. Refer to your phone and car manual for exact steps to update these settings.
As noted on Google’s support page, deleting the Android Auto app data and phone bluetooth connections can also reset the audio output [1]. After resetting the app and re-pairing Bluetooth, check that Android Auto is now correctly using the car speakers for sound.
Incompatible Audio Codecs
One of the main reasons there may be no sound when connected to Android Auto is that the phone and car are trying to use incompatible audio codecs. Android Auto requires the Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) codec to transmit audio from your phone to the car’s head unit [1]. However, some Android phones only support other codecs like aptX or LDAC for high quality Bluetooth audio. If your phone doesn’t also support AAC, it won’t be able to send audio to Android Auto.
Likewise, some car systems may only be compatible with certain codecs. If your car’s infotainment system doesn’t support AAC, it won’t be able to receive and play audio from Android Auto even if your phone supports AAC. You’ll need both the phone and car to support AAC transmission for Android Auto audio to work properly.
To resolve this, you may need to check if your phone or car’s firmware can be updated to add support for AAC. If not, you may need to switch to a phone that supports AAC codec for Android Auto compatibility [2].
Hardware Failures
Hardware issues with either the car stereo or Android phone can also cause loss of audio in Android Auto. For example, the USB port used to connect Android Auto could be damaged and unable to transmit audio signals properly (1). If the issue started suddenly, it may point to a hardware failure in the USB port or headphone jack on the phone, loose wiring in the car stereo, or other connectivity problems. Inspect cables and ports for any signs of damage. Try connecting the phone to a different car or stereo to see if the issue persists, which would confirm a hardware problem with the phone. If the issue only occurs in one car, the stereo system itself likely has a hardware fault.
Resetting the car stereo to factory default settings can help troubleshoot wiring or hardware issues, as suggested on the Neutron Forum (2). If the problem persists even after factory resetting, it likely indicates a hardware failure in the car stereo system. Overall, sudden loss of Android Auto audio points to a hardware connectivity problem either with the phone’s port and headphones jack, the car stereo’s wiring, or USB ports. Inspecting cables and trying different combinations of phones and stereos can isolate the issue, and factory resetting the stereo can help troubleshoot. If hardware damage or fault is confirmed, repairs or replacement of the faulty component(s) will be needed to restore Android Auto audio.
Troubleshooting Steps
If you are experiencing no sound issues with Android Auto, here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
First, check your cables and connections. Make sure the USB cable connecting your phone to your car’s infotainment system is not loose or damaged. Try connecting your phone with a different USB cable if possible. Also check that your aux cable or Bluetooth connection is properly connected if relying on those for audio (source).
Next, make sure the Android Auto app and your phone’s software are up to date. Go to your phone’s settings to check for any pending app or software updates and install them. Also try uninstalling and reinstalling the Android Auto app on your phone (source).
If the issue persists, try resetting Android Auto to factory default settings. On your phone, go to Settings > Apps > Android Auto > Storage > Clear Data. This will reset Android Auto and may resolve any bugs causing sound problems.
As a last resort, you can try resetting your phone to factory default settings. Back up your phone first, then go to Settings > General > Reset > Factory Data Reset. This will wipe your phone and restore it to original settings, which can fix Android Auto issues.
When to Seek Repairs
If you have tried the troubleshooting tips outlined in this guide and are still experiencing no sound issues with Android Auto, it may be time to seek professional help. Here are some signs it’s time to take your device in for repairs:
- You have tried different cables, updated software, adjusted settings, and performed basic troubleshooting to no avail.
- The problem persists across different apps like Maps, Spotify, and phone calls.
- A factory reset does not resolve the no sound problem.
- Hardware components like your phone’s headphone jack or your car’s USB port may be damaged.
- You have error messages or other indicators of hardware failure.
- Sound works fine when not using Android Auto, pointing to an issue with the Auto app.
In these cases, take your phone and car to a qualified repair shop. They can test components, update software, replace damaged parts, and perform other fixes. If the issues stem from the Android Auto app itself, you may need to wait for Google to release a patch. As a last resort, changing to a different phone or car stereo system may be required to get Android Auto sound working again.