Is your Ford CarPlay not working? It can be frustrating when CarPlay doesn’t function as expected, primarily if you rely on it for a seamless driving experience.
But don’t worry. I have various troubleshooting methods to help you get CarPlay up and running again.
I’ll walk you through the steps to resolve the problem in this guide.
Why is Ford CarPlay Not Working?
Many Ford drivers wonder why their vehicles aren’t working with CarPlay. There are several reasons for this problem.
Some common factors include an outdated infotainment system or problems with the USB cable or port.
Additionally, incompatibility with your iPhone model might cause CarPlay not to work as expected.
While most iPhones support CarPlay, using an older iPhone model with outdated hardware and software might lead to compatibility problems
But don’t worry, we have practical solutions to address these issues and get your CarPlay back on track.
How to Fix Apple CarPlay Not Working on Ford?
Method 1. Ensure Your Ford Model Supports CarPlay:
Before troubleshooting, ensure that your Ford model supports Apple CarPlay.
While many Ford vehicles have CarPlay, some older models might not (Especially 2016 and later).
You can check your vehicle’s manual or consult Apple CarPlay official website to confirm CarPlay compatibility.
If your Ford model doesn’t support CarPlay, consider alternative ways to connect your iPhone, such as using iCarMode or CarOS.
Method 2. Update Ford SYNC Infotainment Software:
Ford uses an infotainment technology known as Ford SYNC.
When the software of this system is outdated, it can present a great problem not just for CarPlay but other functionalities of the vehicle’s infotainment system.
Check for available software updates for Ford SYNC.
Updating the system will enable CarPlay and resolve other software-related issues.
The steps for installing SYNC update will differ, depending on your car model and year. You will find the specific steps for your vehicle on this Ford support webpage.
Method 3. Perform a Soft Reset Ford SYNC Infotainment System:
Performing a soft reset on your SYNC system can help if CarPlay isn’t working, the audio is messing up, or bugs and glitches are causing the system to freeze occasionally.
This method has helped many Ford drivers fix their CarPlay issue and will likely work for you.
- Press and hold the Volume and Forward buttons
- The system will go off but keep holding for about 20 seconds.
- After 20 seconds, release the buttons, and the system will reset and come on again.
- Check if CarPlay now works
Method 4. Perform a Master Reset on your SYNC System
A master reset on SYNC will return the system to the factory setting.
This will help fix bugs and reset wrong configurations that could be the culprit of the CarPlay issue you are having.
Here’s how to do it:
- Tap Setting on the bottom feature bar of your home screen
- Select General
- Scroll down and tap Master Reset
- A pop-up will appear asking if you want to reset to factory settings. Select Continue
- From there, your system will reset back to its default settings
Method 5. Try a Different USB Port
If you’re using a USB cable to connect your phone, try different ports to rule out any USB port-related issues.
It could be that the USB port you’re using is faulty or does not support data transmission.
Method 6. Use a Different USB Cable:
The USB cable you use for CarPlay plays n important role in Ford CarPlay functionality. First, try using a different USB cable, as the issue might be with the current one.
If the problem persists, connect your device to CarPlay using Bluetooth instead.
Also, ensure that you use a genuine iPhone cable, as counterfeit or incompatible cables can cause connectivity problems.
Method 7. Update Your iPhone:
If your mobile device runs an older iOS version, it can lead to compatibility problems when you try to use CarPlay with your Ford vehicle.
Some CarPlay features will only work on the latest iOS version.
To update your iOS:
- Go to Settings, then select General.
- Select Software Updates
- Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install available updates
- Restart your device and try connecting to CarPlay to Ford SYNC
Method 8. Disable Airplane Mode:
You can’t have Airplane mode on and use the Bluetooth feature of your device at the same time.
So if you are making a Bluetooth CarPlay connection, ensure your Apple device isn’t in Airplay mode.
If leaving the device on Airplane mode is essential for any reason, then use a USB connection.
Method 9. Forget Connection and Reconnect:
If you previously connected CarPlay to Ford SYNC via Bluetooth, forget that previous connection and establish a new one.
Bluetooth connection sometimes gets corrupted after a while and won’t work on till you establish it afresh.
- On your Apple mobile device, go to Settings > General.
- Scroll down to the CarPlay menu.
- Select your car’s name and click on “Forget this car.”
Method 10. Turn off VPN or Proxy:
While VPN and Proxy connections are helpful for online privacy and security, they can sometimes interfere with CarPlay.
Disable any active VPN or Proxy connection and your Ford CarPlay should work fine.
Method 11. Contact Support:
If none of the above solutions work, please contact Apple support and Ford support for further assistance.
Important iPhone Settings to Help Ford CarPlay Work Better:
In addition to the troubleshooting steps, here are some iPhone settings that can improve CarPlay performance:
1. Turn on Siri
The CarPlay feature is operated chiefly using voice commands.
So for this to work, you need to turn on Hey Siri on your Apple device.
To turn on Siri, Go to Settings > Siri & Search, then enable “Listen for ‘Hey Siri‘” and “Press Side Button for Siri.” Also, allow Siri when the screen is locked, then enter your passcode to turn it on
2. Reset Your iOS Factory Settings (As a Last Resort):
If all the above solutions fail, you can back up your files and restore your Apple device to the factory setting.
However, it is unlikely that all the methods above will fail to work for you, but if nothing works, apply this solution only as a last resort.
Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. Wait for your iPhone to reset and restart.
Final Thoughts – Ford CarPlay Not Working:
Fixing Ford CarPlay issues can be straightforward if you follow the proper steps.
By going through these troubleshooting methods and checking necessary iPhone settings, you can resolve CarPlay problems and enjoy a smooth driving experience again.
If you encounter persistent issues, don’t hesitate to seek Apple and Ford support assistance.
