Dodge Journey: How To Reset UConnect

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.

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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:

  1. Press and hold the “Volume” and “Tune” buttons on the infotainment system.
  2. Wait until the screen goes blank or displays the Dodge logo.
  3. Release the buttons and wait for a bit.
  4. The system should automatically restart, displaying the Dodge logo and other startup information.
  5. 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:

  1. 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.
  2. Wait until the “Engineering Menu” shows on the screen.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

Dodge Journey How to Reset UConnect

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:

  1. Open the hood.
  2. Remove the cables from the battery (starting with the negative).
  3. Honk the horn or turn on the headlights to drain the battery completely.
  4. Wait for a few minutes.
  5. Reconnect the battery cables (positive first this time).
  6. 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.

23 thoughts on “Dodge Journey: How To Reset UConnect”

  1. Tried to reset my uconnect but the procedure I found did not work. Still uconnect is unusable. Haven’t been able to use my unconnected for over 2 years and yet Dodge wants to charge me over $200 to fix it because it’s supposedly the module. Dodge should add this problem as a defect. Angry, frustrated 🤬😡

    Reply
    • I agree, we pay a lot of money for these options and I am tired of the vehicle industry just washing their hands of their responsibilities to their clientele.

      Reply
      • I sold my 2019 dodge charger after 6 months because of this issue, I drive to much for something so trivial to irritate me every single day. Took it in multiple times to get it fixed and the dealer couldn’t/wouldn’t fix it.

        Reply
    • That’s hilarious. Up here in Canada it cost me over $1000 to replace. Then it went out a couple of months later.

      Reply
  2. My 2015 Journey crossroad’s uconnect will not come on after I start the vehicle until a few miles down the road. this happens mostly during cold weather; vehicle is garage kept.

    Reply
  3. I found a loose connection in the back of my 8.4 uconnect screen that was loose which caused it not to come on or sometimes go out and back on. I pulled all connections apart sprayed some electrical cleaner on them and replaced the connection, haven’t had any more problems sense. Search on You-Tube for instruction on how to remove the device.

    Reply
  4. 2016 Dodge Journey USB works with IPOD, but not bluetooth. Smartphone connects to Uconnect via bluetooth with no problem, weird thing is, my 2013 Dodge Avenger has no problem via blue tooth with smartphone or Ipod.

    Reply
  5. I got my self a aux/bt wireless
    connector / adapter that I plug on the aux input under the armrest with USB power connect my phone and there we go.. Bye bye frustration go away.. Costs me 8 bucks…

    Reply
  6. I bought a rt model in germany not long ago, the same, total crap, I read everything possible, even about fuse 131,128, total shit, as written above, software sucks from 2012 to 2016 unconnect crap,

    Reply
  7. Well I have no hope now, having g same problem, I’m not paying for the to fix this bs, guess I just use my bt speaker in car smh

    Reply

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