Many drivers have complained about Volvo CarPlay not working.
However, the issue with CarPlay not working isn’t just peculiar to Volvo vehicles. I’ve encountered drivers of other car brands with the same problem.
Fortunately, the problem is easy to fix, and I’ll show you how in this guide.
Why is Volvo CarPlay not working?
There are several reasons why your Volvo CarPlay not working issues occur, and they include compatibility issues, outdated software, and faulty USB cables or ports.
As you read on, I’ll discuss more on how these factors can prevent Volvo CarPlay from functioning.
However, nothing may be wrong with your Volvo CarPlay, and the CarPlay isn’t working simply because it wasn’t set up correctly.
Volvo has a specific method and steps you need to follow to set up CarPlay.
If these steps are not properly followed, you may experience some issues with the functionality.
How to properly set up CarPlay on Volvo
Step 1: Enable CarPlay
- Go to your Settings > Screen Time > Content and Privacy Restrictions.
- Select Allow App
- Turn on the CarPlay slider
Step 2: Enable Siri
- Go to Settings > Siri and Search
- Toggle on Listen for Hey Siri
- Toggle on Press the Side Button for Siri
- Turn on ‘Allow Siri when the screen is Locke.’
- Enter your passcode.
Step 3: Connect CarPlay to Volvo
You can connect CarPlay to your Volvo Sensus Connect infotainment system through USB or wirelessly.
To connect via USB, connect your iPhone to your vehicle with an authentic iPhone USB cable.
Then press OK on the prompt on your Volvo Sensus Connect screen. It’s that simple.
To connect Via Bluetooth, follow the steps below:
- Turn on your iPhone Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
- On your Volvo infotainment screen, go to Phone > Add new phone > Make vehicle discoverable
- Go to your iPhone’s Bluetooth settings and connect to My Volvo Car
- Enter the PIN on your Volvo infotainment system screen and select Confirm
How to fix Volvo CarPlay not working
Method 1: Confirm if your Volvo model supports CarPlay
The first step you need to take before trying out solutions is to confirm if your Volvo model supports CarPlay.
It’s fruitless trying to set up CarPlay on a Volvo model that doesn’t support it.
Here’s a complete list of Volvo models that are currently compatible with CarPlay:
List of Volvo models that are compatible with CarPlay
- Volvo XC90 (2016 – 2023)
- Volvo S90 (2017-2023)
- Volvo V90 (2017-2023)
- Volvo XC60 (2018-2023)
- Volvo S60 (2019-2023)
- Volvo V60 (2019-2023)
- Volvo XC40 (2019-2023)
- Volvo C40 Recharge (2022 -2023)
Method 2: Confirm CarPlay is available in your region
Aside from checking if your Volvo model is compatible with CarPlay, you must also confirm if the CarPlay feature is available in your region.
Simply because you are using an iPhone doesn’t mean you can use CarPlay because the feature is not available in every region.
So confirm the CarPlay feature availability before you set it up.
As an alternative to CarPlay, you can use other tools like MirrorLink and CarOS.
Method 3: Close unsupported apps.
Not all apps on your iPhone are supported by CarPlay.
These unsupported apps can disconnect the CarPlay connection or cause glitches like a CarPlay black screen.
You can check the Apple CarPlay webpage to find out the apps you can use on CarPlay and close all unsupported apps.
Method 4: Disconnect and reconnect:
First, if you set up Volvo CarPlay wirelessly and it doesn’t work, disconnect it and set it up again using a USB cable.
If you need to use a Bluetooth connection, you can forget your current Bluetooth connection and reconnect. To do this, go to your iPhone Bluetooth Settings, click the ‘i’ icon close to your Volvo connection, and select “Forget this car.”
But if it still doesn’t work or displays a Volvo CarPlay black screen, minimize and expand the title for CarPlay, which should be fixed.
If you were connected via USB, disconnect at Connect again as well.
Method 5: Check the USB cable and port
One thing that can prevent Volvo CarPlay from working is the USB cable or USB port.
Let’s start with the USB cable: if you aren’t using an authentic iPhone cable or the cable is faulty, you won’t be able to connect.
I have found that using cheap cables can lead to your phone charging, but Carplay does not work when you need to use it.
I advise that you try a different cable to see if it works.
That way, you can confirm where the fault is originating.
For the USB port, not every USB port supports both data transmission and charging. Some ports are only available for charging.
So, if there is more than one USB port on your Volvo infotainment dashboard, try a different port to see if CarPlay works.
Method 6: Disable VPN
VPN connection is not compatible with CarPlay.
The reason is that the VPN routes your traffic through its encrypted server, concealing your location.
This disrupts the connection and functionalities of CarPlay.
So, if you are using a VPN or proxy server, disconnect it while CarPlay is active.
Method 7: Update the iOS
If you use outdated iOS software, you will encounter frequent CarPlay compatibility issues and glitches that will prevent Volvo CarPlay from working.
So, if you haven’t updated your iOS, follow the steps below to do so:
- Go to your iPhone Menu and tap on Settings
- Scroll down to General and select
- Select Software Update
- All the new software updates will be displayed on the screen
- Click on Install Now
- Also, turn on Automatic Updates so your phone will update automatically anytime there’s a new update.
If you have recently updated your iPhone, close all the apps and restart the phone to set up CarPlay again.
Method 8: Update Volvo infotainment software
After updating your iOS device, you also need to update your vehicle’s infotainment system.
Below is how you can update your Volvo infotainment software:
- Slide down on the home page of the infotainment screen to reveal the notification center
- If there is an available update, you’ll find a notification to download it.
- Click on Download once to download and install the update.
If the steps above don’t work for your Volvo model, visit the Volvo software updates page, select your car model and year, and you’ll get the exact steps to update the infotainment software.
Method 9: Contact Support
If the solutions I have provided don’t help fix Volvo CarPlay, then it’s probably a more complicated issue that will need professional assistance.
Contact Apple support and Volvo support for further assistance.
Final Thoughts
When Volvo CarPlay is not working, you can often fix it by applying the solutions provided in this guide.
In most cases, it’s often a temporary glitch. I hope this guide has helped you resolve the problem.