Does your Android radio restart or freeze? Causes and solutions

The Android radio switches off by itself in the middle of a journey, shows the boot logo again, freezes with the map open or takes ages to respond. It is one of the most common queries we receive, and the good news is that it almost never means the radio is faulty. In most cases the cause lies in the power supply, a specific app or the settings. In this guide we explain the most common causes and how to fix them step by step.

Restarts: when the radio switches off and boots up again

If the radio restarts by itself, the first thing to look at is the power supply. An Android radio is a small computer and, if the voltage drops below a certain level even for an instant, it restarts.

• When starting the engine: it is normal for the voltage to drop during cranking. If the radio restarts at exactly that moment and the battery is a few years old, it is very likely weak.
• With the Start & Stop system: every time the engine restarts at traffic lights there is a voltage drop. Some cars compensate for it and others do not.
• Poorly connected wires: a loose positive or earth, a badly made splice or a connector that does not fully click in cause cut-outs over bumps.
• Permanent and ignition positives swapped: as well as restarts, this can stop the radio saving its settings or drain the battery.
• Overheating: if the radio has no ventilation behind the dashboard or sits in full sun in summer, it may protect itself by restarting.

Freezes and slowness: when the radio hangs

If the radio does not switch off but freezes or runs very slowly, the cause is usually software:

• Too many apps open in the background, especially navigation and video apps.
• A specific app that is not compatible with the radio's Android version or has a bug.
• Full storage: offline maps, videos or caches taking up almost all the internal memory.
• Not enough RAM for how you use it: if you run navigation, streaming music and the camera at the same time, a radio with little RAM is at its limit. We explain it in our guide on which RAM to choose.

How to fix it step by step

1. Restart the radio from the menu or with the reset button (a small hole on the front that you press with a paper clip). Many one-off freezes are solved this way.
2. Close background apps and uninstall the ones you do not use.
3. Free up space by deleting videos, downloads and the caches of the heaviest apps.
4. Note when it happens: if the restart always coincides with starting the engine or with Start & Stop, it is a voltage problem. Have the battery checked and, if it is fine, try disabling Start & Stop to confirm it.
5. Check the installation: make sure the connectors are fully seated and the earth is solid. With a radio made for your model, which plugs straight into the car's original connectors, loose wires are rare.
6. Check the CAN Bus protocol in the factory settings: a protocol that does not match your car can cause strange behaviour.
7. Restore factory settings as the last software step. Before doing so, note down the CAN Bus and steering wheel control settings so you can set them back the same way.

What if it restarts when connecting CarPlay or Android Auto?

If the radio works fine on its own but restarts or freezes when you connect your phone, first check the USB cable (if you use a wired connection) and update your phone. It also helps to remove the phone from the radio's device list and pair it again. You will find more details in the guides CarPlay not working or not connecting and Android Auto not working.

Frequently asked questions

Is it normal for the radio to take a while to switch on?
When starting from fully off, an Android radio takes a few seconds, like a phone. If it has a fast boot mode, it switches on almost instantly while in standby.

Does a factory reset erase the car settings?
It may erase the CAN Bus and steering wheel control settings. Note them down first or take photos of the settings screen.

It only restarts in very hot weather, what should I do?
Avoid leaving the screen in the sun with the car parked and check that the back of the radio has some space to ventilate. If it keeps happening, write to us.

Can I install any app?
You can install apps from the Android store, but it is best not to fill the radio with apps you do not use. Fewer background apps means a faster and more stable radio.

If the problem continues after these steps, write to us with your car model and a video of the fault and we will help you identify it. And if the steering wheel controls are also playing up, see the guide on steering wheel controls with an Android radio.

See plug & play CarPlay radios

Our model-specific radios come with the car's wiring and the CAN Bus box ready, with no splicing: find the one for your model in the catalogue by brand. If your car has a double-DIN slot, you can also see the universal radio screen with wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.