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2020 Forester Infotainment Freezing and Black Screen Issues

0

Mike T. · rep 0 · May 22, 3:18 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2020 Subaru Forester Sport

Hi all,

My 2020 Subaru Forester Sport has been having some really annoying issues with its infotainment system lately. It frequently freezes up, becomes completely unresponsive to touch, and sometimes the screen just goes black for a few seconds before rebooting itself.

It's not just Apple CarPlay; the native Subaru Starlink system does it too. This happens randomly, sometimes when I'm driving, sometimes right after starting the car. It's really distracting and makes using navigation or even just changing the radio station a pain.

I've tried holding down the power button to force a restart, but the problem keeps coming back. Is this a known issue with the 2020 Forester, or could it be something specific to my car? Any suggestions on what I can do?

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 3:18 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

Infotainment system issues like freezing, unresponsiveness, and black screens are not uncommon across various vehicle manufacturers, and your 2020 Subaru Forester Sport could be experiencing a software glitch or a hardware malfunction.

Common Causes:

  1. Software Bugs: The most frequent cause is a bug in the infotainment system's operating software, which can lead to crashes or freezes.
  2. Corrupted Data: Issues with cached data or system files can cause instability.
  3. Loose Connections: A loose wiring harness behind the head unit could cause intermittent power or data loss.
  4. Hardware Failure: Less commonly, the head unit itself or one of its internal components might be failing.

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Perform a Hard Reset: Disconnect the negative terminal of your car battery for 10-15 minutes, then reconnect it. This can sometimes clear system memory and resolve temporary glitches. (Note: You may lose radio presets and trip data).
  2. Check for Software Updates: Visit your Subaru dealership or check the Subaru owner's portal online to see if there are any available software updates for your Starlink system. Updates often address known bugs and improve stability.
  3. Remove Paired Devices: If you have many Bluetooth devices or frequently use Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, try unpairing all devices and testing the system without them connected for a while.

When to See a Shop:

If the hard reset and software updates do not resolve the issue, or if the problem persists and becomes more frequent, it's time to visit a Subaru dealership. They have specialized diagnostic tools to check for fault codes within the infotainment system (even if no Check Engine Light is on) and can determine if the issue is software-related, a loose connection, or requires a head unit replacement. This is especially important if the system is still under warranty.

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