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2019 E450 COMAND Screen Freezing & CarPlay Disconnecting

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 25, 3:07 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450

Hi everyone,

I'm having some frustrating issues with the COMAND infotainment system in my 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450 Sedan. Lately, the screen has been freezing randomly, sometimes for a few seconds, other times requiring a full restart of the car to get it working again. It's especially annoying when I'm using navigation.

The other major problem is with Apple CarPlay. It constantly disconnects and reconnects, making it almost unusable. I've tried different cables, different iPhones, and even restarting my phone, but the problem persists. It seems to be an issue with the car's system rather than my phone.

Has anyone else experienced similar glitches with their W213 E-Class? Is there a known software update or a common hardware fault that causes this? Any tips on troubleshooting or what to tell the dealer would be super helpful!

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 25, 3:07 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Infotainment system glitches like freezing screens and CarPlay disconnections are common complaints across many modern vehicles, and your 2019 E450 (W213) is not immune. These symptoms often point to software, communication, or sometimes hardware issues within the COMAND/MBUX system.

  1. Causes:

    • Software Glitches: The most frequent cause. Bugs in the infotainment software can lead to freezing, slow responses, and connectivity issues. Over-the-air updates or dealer-installed updates often address these.
    • Communication Bus Errors: Modern cars use complex communication networks (like CAN bus, MOST bus) for various modules. Errors on these buses can disrupt data flow to the infotainment system.
    • USB Port/Module Issues: For CarPlay/Android Auto, a faulty USB port or the associated media interface module can cause intermittent disconnections.
    • Hardware Failure (Less Common): In some cases, the head unit itself (COMAND/MBUX module) or its internal components might be failing.

  2. Diagnostics:

    • Soft Reset: Try a soft reset of the COMAND system. In many Mercedes models, holding down the power button for the radio for about 10-15 seconds will force a restart.
    • Check for Updates: Visit your Mercedes-Benz dealer. They can check if there are any pending software updates for your COMAND system. These updates often resolve known bugs and improve stability.
    • Inspect USB Ports: Ensure the USB ports are clean and free of debris. Try using a different USB port if your vehicle has multiple.
    • OBD Codes: While less common for direct user-facing infotainment issues, a diagnostic scan with a Mercedes-specific tool might reveal U-codes related to communication errors between modules (e.g., U0140 - Lost Communication With Body Control Module, or specific codes for the infotainment module).

  3. When to See a Shop:

    • If a soft reset doesn't resolve the issue, and you've tried different cables/phones for CarPlay, it's time to visit the dealership. They have specialized diagnostic tools (XENTRY/DAS) that can thoroughly check the COMAND unit, its software version, and all related communication modules. They can perform necessary software updates or identify if a hardware replacement is needed. Given the complexity, this is generally not a DIY fix.
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