Android Auto problems can sometimes be fixed by updating the car’s infotainment software
An outdated infotainment system can break Android Auto, so the car may also need a software update, Google and automakers say.
Engadget reported that common fixes initially focus on the phone and connection: inspecting the cable, restarting the device, forgetting the car, reconnecting it and making sure Android Auto is up to date. If those steps fail, the software requiring attention may be in the dashboard. Google advises users to restart the infotainment system and, if the receiver is an aftermarket Pioneer or Kenwood unit, to visit the manufacturer’s website and check for a firmware update, according to the report.
Android Auto relies on the phone and car working correctly, the report says, so focusing only on the phone can miss half the equation. Automakers have been sending out infotainment updates that can improve Android Auto. Hyundai’s February 2026 infotainment update for ccNC-equipped cars in Europe included improved wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, quicker reconnection if the phone goes unresponsive and automatic restoration after a restart. Chevrolet lists updating both the phone and vehicle software as the first troubleshooting step when Android Auto won’t connect on applicable vehicles.
How an update is installed depends on the car. Some systems can download software via Wi-Fi, while others use a USB drive or SD card, and some manufacturers offer dealer assistance. Uconnect allows supported systems to be connected to Wi-Fi through the vehicle’s settings menu. There is no universal button for updating infotainment firmware, Engadget reported. Users should start at the car manufacturer’s website and follow directions for that infotainment system; if the site asks for VIN or model details, they should provide them. If the process is unclear, or the manufacturer says it must be installed by a dealer, a dealer is a safer route than getting an update file elsewhere.
A firmware update will not fix every Android Auto problem. If Android Auto stopped working right after a phone or Android Auto update, check Google’s Android Auto Known Issues page before changing the car’s software, the report says. Google recently addressed connection problems affecting Pixel 10 and Samsung S26 phones and was still investigating an S25 connection issue. That timing can help users decide which side of the connection deserves attention first.
If Android Auto stopped working after a phone or Android Auto update, begin there before making changes in the car. Google advises users to verify that the car is compatible, check that Android Auto is turned on in the infotainment system and test the USB connection. For wired Android Auto, its current guidance is to use a quality cable that is under 3 feet long. Updating the car is a troubleshooting measure and not a magic bullet, according to Engadget. If Android Auto was working before, standard phone-side troubleshooting has failed and newer infotainment software is available, an update is one more thing to check off before scheduling a service appointment.
Firmware has restrictions. It is not always able to add Android Auto to hardware that did not support it to begin with. Uconnect says its systems cannot simply be upgraded to add Android Auto or CarPlay, while Uconnect 5 and select Uconnect 4 and 4C systems include both.