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Owners of 2017 Ram 1500s offer tricks to reboot the 8.4 Uconnect radios

I could write for days about all of the problems with the 8.4 Uconnect radio and navigation systems. Some 2017 Ram 1500 owners share their tricks to reboot the Uconnect systems.

Popular truck forums are filled with complaints about the Uconnect systems in the 2017 Ram 1500. There are multiple complaints with the Navigation systems malfunctioning and the radios getting poor reception. The complaint I saw today is an odd one. TS writes about his radio freezing up. “Odd issue with the 8.4 Nav radio on my new 2017 Ram - buttons stopped working! Basically the only way I could change the radio station was with the rotary knob - the steering wheel buttons, touch buttons, everything else wouldn't work. I power cycled the truck a couple times – didn’t do anything. Finally at home I had the truck shutdown for about an hour, and then everything was fine. Has anyone run into this?”

Several owners suggested that TS at least start keeping notes about the problem. Others suggested he try asking the dealer. Hunter, from New Jersey, says “I would start a paper trail in case you have an issue when the warranty is up.”

Possibly tied to Uconnect updates?

Yankee suggested that the locking or freezing up could be tied to service that Uconnect is currently conducting. “I wonder if had anything to do with the satellite download update that FCA is doing this month. It didn't affect my radio, as far as i can tell.

It does mention that you could lose your presets. The download took between 10 - 15 minutes. Then it rebooted & updated the system which took another 3 - 5 minutes.”

TS called two dealers but they were unable to help him over the phone.

Tricks to reboot the Uconnect system on the 2017 Ram 1500

Jockey points out that all computers need a little help sometimes. “It is a computer so a re-boot sometimes works. If anyone can explain why you have to do that I'd be ever so grateful.”

Great idea but how do you reboot the system? TS asked the service representative on the phone and the answer was surprisingly low-tech. “The guy says "Well, you could unplug the battery when you get home" lol Thanks for the re-set tip!”

Disconnecting the battery may be low-tech but it works. I learned that the hard way when the MyFord Touch system went haywire on a Ford Fusion, we had rented. It isn’t pretty but it works in a pinch.

AJ has the best advice about how to handle rebooting the system. He learned it from a service tech after his radio locked up in his 2016 Ram 1500. “A similar thing happened to me a year ago with a new 2016 LongHorn as I left the dealership with it. I didn't notice it for a few miles because I was concentrating on navigating the interstate system in OKC, but when I went to change the station or work with the nav system, it was frozen. I called the dealership and they put me through to service. The best he could offer was "it must be downloading an update" and then said to shut the vehicle off and see if it was frozen when I restarted. It worked fine when I restarted the vehicle and never gave me another problem. You can manually reboot the nav system by pushing in on the center of the volume and tuner knobs at the same time and holding them down for a few seconds. You should see the system power down and then boot back up. Hopefully yours will be a very limited experience as well. My other units have all performed with no issues at all. Best of luck with it.”

Now that is great advice to know! I wonder if that same rebooting helps at all with the Navigation system that has given people fits. At least if your radio freezes up, this is an approach to try.

Mary Conway covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin. Follow Mary on Twitter at @maryconwaymedia.

Comments

Tony (not verified)    April 26, 2018 - 9:09AM

My 2014 Dodge ram truck radio is stuck on one station will only turn on and off and volume control I cannot change any stations switch functions or anything the only display on the screen is the Dodge ram symbol any suggestions

Kathleen hains (not verified)    January 24, 2020 - 6:55PM

In reply to by Rob (not verified)

I have done software reset n hardware resets n I only have black screen with a line at truck starting headunit failed to start
Have tried everything
Disconnecting the battery soft n hardware resets n ignition cycles nothing works

I’m beyond disgusted &3400 dealership quoted to replace my head unit

Everyone needs to start making complaints

Steve (not verified)    April 13, 2022 - 3:05PM

In reply to by Michael Ball (not verified)

The XM on my 8.4 UConnect started dropping after about 15 minutes of listening each day, a few months ago. I tried many, many resets and even bought a new sharkfin antenna. Then I started looking at replacements and the dealer wanted almost $1000 to replace it with a rebuilt unit. Then I called Infotainment and spoke to a nice guy, explained my issue and he told me the prices. About $1300 for a rebuilt one. THEN, he mentioned that I could send my existing radio and they could repair it for about $600. That sounded much better. They also have a military discount (I'm a vet). So, I removed my old radio and sent it to them. A few days later I get an email saying that I had been refunded $315 because it was a different model than they originally thought. They also said the issue was the motherboard in the radio. They were able to recreate my issue and after replacing the motherboard the issue went away and the XM works fine now. So, if you're having trouble with your 8.4 UConnect (who isn't) give Infotainment a call and maybe they can repair it for you for a LOT less than buying a rebuilt one. The worst part was that I had a hole in my dash for about a week and a half.

matt (not verified)    March 7, 2019 - 12:11AM

In reply to by Tony (not verified)

I recently had the same EXACT problem. I also noticed that the usb port stopped working in my center consol. The radio restarts every 3 minutes. I tried disconnecting the battery several times, and once for an hour. I checked all the fuses and still cant figure it out.

Faith (not verified)    December 4, 2020 - 2:35AM

In reply to by Tony (not verified)

I have a 2017 RAM 1500 Tradesman, my volume knob doesn't seem to want to work except when I first plug my stereo in. At that point it wal only go up once or down one sometimes. How can I fix this? I can't afford another stereo, I am on disability and have nothing left after my bills are paid. Any ideas or suggestions please?

Thanks
Faith G

Chris (not verified)    July 29, 2018 - 7:40PM

Radio freezes daily, on 2015 RAM, soft boot works sometimes after 30 tries, already got a new radio from dealership and this continues to happen, can anyone help?

Disappointed Dodge (not verified)    August 2, 2019 - 3:20AM

In reply to by Steve (not verified)

Surprised you are getting a new radio (clearly not a solution at this point) FCA Canada has us in a "holding pattern" they have issued a blanket statement as of APRIL 8 2019 (4 months now) that they are "aware of the issues and working on a solution" this was a memo from head office.
Useless information on a lemon of a vehicle we are stuck with.

andy (not verified)    September 5, 2018 - 11:26PM

I wear Hearing Aids and use a streamer (bluetooth) to connect my phone to my aids.When i get into the truck the bluetooth of the truck connects to the bluetooth of my hearing aids. When I want to listen to the radio, Ill hear the music thru the speakers first then it'll switch and pipe the music to my aids. Anyone riding with me is in silence. If I turn my streamer off then that bluetooth won't connect with the truck, and the music will come thru the speakers. If I get a phone call, I won't know it and can't hear it because the streamer is off and nothing is piped to my aids. The other bad part about all this is I can't get my playlist to play thru the radio no matter how I want to pipe it thru. Either thru Bluetooth, direct wire to the truck thru the speaker jack, or thru a thumb drive. I have Apple phone and computer. I even tried using the computer port to charge and link music thru the phone. This is all very frustrating! The radio is a useless box on the dash.

Keith (not verified)    September 11, 2018 - 11:41AM

I have a Ram 1500 Laramie 2018, got it in march 2018 and have had 5 radios replaced so far from the dealer, it freezes daily, and when that happens you have no control over the radio at all, the app on my cell will not work either, can't unlock/lock/remote start nothing. Called the guardian ppl and they can't unlock/lock etc..going back for a new radio on the 19th of Sep 2018 (Radio #^ here we goo)

Frank (not verified)    October 28, 2018 - 1:25PM

In reply to by Keith (not verified)

Hey Keith, I was very interested in your problem and was wondering how it's been working out? I've had my truck about a week and I've had nothing but trouble with navigation. It intermittently works and I lose all of my presets overnight. I feel like there's something wrong with the electrical system and maybe not the radio at all? I could turn on the radio when my key fob is in the house. Something is really messed up with these newer models. The dealership is clueless so he'll just replace it in a few weeks. Otherwise it's a smooth-running clean truck. Good luck with your problem.

Betty (not verified)    September 19, 2018 - 6:28PM

Trying to delete a favorite phone contact from my uconnect system in my 2017 Dodge Journey, it seems impossible... Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Sandy (not verified)    October 28, 2018 - 7:43PM

My radio just came blasting on deafening loud and probably blew speakers. All by itself while I was parking. No sound but as soon as you turn volume up, it comes on full blast. My ears are ringing! 2018 Dodge Ram

Joshua (not verified)    May 19, 2020 - 8:58AM

In reply to by Disappointed Dodge (not verified)

I have a 2018 dodge journey, my uconnect doesnt have the nav system on it, however i was able to find the dealer mode menu by pressing hot and cold buttons along with front defog for about 10 seconds and it pulls up dealer mode. Have you all tried pulling up the engineering menu? I also have had some issues with blue tooth connections acting funky. Noticed that when i set my car the way I would for an oil change works. Now i havent had half the issues everyone else has had and ive had my 2018 journey for 8months now. Still seeping through different menu options i recommend if you havent already, try searching online for the engineering menu and master reset your radio to factory settings. Some probably have tried this, disconnecting the battery didnt work well for my issue however since im constantly doing my oil changes(every month) and the reset for my oil change helped with the radio i feel as if this monthly reset keeps my radio in check. Again you want to power your car off, press the engine start button twice without your foot on the break. You then press the gas pedal 3 times within a 10second window. Power off the car and back on. Its helped me. Not no mechanic or car specialist but a maintenance tech that wasnt about to waste time going to dealers who are of no use or benefit.

Zach (not verified)    February 13, 2019 - 8:15PM

In reply to by Sandy (not verified)

Same exact thing. 2018 Ram 8.4. It was parked for a few hours, got in, backed up, and about blew my eardrums out. Volume control goes from 0 - No Sound to 1 - Max Sound. At first I though my phone had the media volume up, but it was on vibrate. Nothing I tried fixed it. It was a very silent 2.5 hour drive back home. I have an appt on Feb 15 to address the "Occupant Restraint Control Module" safety recall. I added the volume issue to the service ticket. We'll see, or better yet - hear, how it goes!