If your Dodge’s infotainment screen or system is glitching or freezing out, don’t fret. Bad updates, overloaded memory, or temporary electrical issues can all cause the system to temporarily bug out.
Luckily, you can reset the UConnect system or the car’s electronics to remove the most common issues.
How to Reset UConnect in Dodge Journey
Ever since the second major release of UConnect, the system can be soft reset solely through the infotainment buttons on the console. You’ll need to turn on the vehicle, but it’s recommended to keep the engine off. Here’s what you need to do:
- Press and hold the “Volume” and “Tune” buttons on the infotainment system.
- Wait until the screen goes blank or displays the Dodge logo.
- Release the buttons and wait for a bit.
- The system should automatically restart, displaying the Dodge logo and other startup information.
- You can now use the infotainment system normally.
For the oldest version of UConnect, it’s best to turn off the car, wait a few minutes, then turn it on again.
In newer vehicles, you can also find a second option for soft-resetting the system:
- Press and hold the “Up” and “Down” arrows on the console (for climate controls). In some cars, you may need to press the “Phone” and “Mute” buttons at the bottom of the console.
- Wait until the “Engineering Menu” shows on the screen.
- Use the scroller on the screen to go to “Reset to factory settings.” You can also choose to reset the radio (“Reset radio”) only if that’s your primary concern.
- Select the option on the touchscreen, then hit “Yes” to confirm.
This option won’t work if the screen itself is unresponsive, but it completely removes previous settings and updates that may be messing with the system.
How to Reset a Dead Infotainment System
If the entire infotainment system is unresponsive and the screen is completely black, then it may have blown a fuse or another electrical component.
The fuse box for Dodge Journeys is typically located under the glovebox. It has a lid that opens by hooking one finger into the gap and pulling. The lid should also have a printed or etched fuse box plan inside.
You need to replace the 10A fuse in the second row of fuses (second on the right). Turn off the car before pulling the fuse and check it with a multimeter to ensure it’s actually blown. Consult the fuse plan on the lid or the owner’s manual to ensure you’re replacing the correct fuse.
If the fuse is not blown, put it back into the box and try to start the radio system. If that still doesn’t work, you may have a deeper electrical issue that warrants a professional inspection.
Reset the System by Draining the Car
As a last resort, you can remove the battery for the car and drain its electricity to hard reset the UConnect system:
- Open the hood.
- Remove the cables from the battery (starting with the negative).
- Honk the horn or turn on the headlights to drain the battery completely.
- Wait for a few minutes.
- Reconnect the battery cables (positive first this time).
- Start the car and check the infotainment system.
What If the Screen Is Different?
In some cases, resetting the system will change how your infotainment screen and options look. That’s because factory settings will likely revert UConnect to an older version with a different UI. Typically, leaving the car alone for a few minutes with an active internet or cellular connection will prompt it to download the latest UConnect version and fix the issue.
If this doesn’t happen, navigate to “Settings” on the screen and select “Software Update.” This option has been relocated on the display a few times on different UConnect versions and may also be named differently depending on the version. You can typically find the current version number at the bottom of the screen while the system boots. Check the UConnect website for the operating manual for that specific release.
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