How do you fix the touch screen in a car?

Brake Caliper

With the ability to handle everything from navigation to entertainment and climate settings, today's cars are impossible to drive without a touch screen. What occurs, though, if the touch screen in your car breaks down or gets insensitive? Here's how to diagnose and resolve a malfunctioning automobile touch screen.

Common Issues with Car Touch Screens

Before diving into the fixes, it’s helpful to understand some common issues that car touch screens can encounter:

  • Unresponsiveness: The screen doesn’t respond to touch inputs, or there’s a delay in response.
  • Frozen Screen: The screen is stuck on one image or menu and won’t change.
  • Flickering or Black Screen:The screen flickers, goes black, or shows no image at all
  • Inaccurate Touch Response: The screen registers touches inaccurately, or the touch commands don’t align with the icons or buttons on the screen.
  • Software Glitches:Problems caused by outdated or corrupted software in the infotainment

Steps to Fix a Car Touch Screen

If you’re experiencing issues with your car’s touch screen, here are some steps you can take to try and fix it:

Restart the Infotainment System

Sometimes, a simple restart is all that’s needed to resolve minor glitches:

  • Turn Off the Car: Turn off your vehicle and let it sit for a few minutes.
  • Restart the System:Restart the car and see if the touch screen begins working properly.

Some cars have a dedicated reset button for the infotainment system. Check your owner’s manual to see if this applies to your vehicle.

Check the System Settings

If the touch screen is responding but behaving oddly, the issue might be with the settings:

  • Calibrate the Screen:Some vehicles allow you to recalibrate the touch screen through the settings menu. This can resolve issues with inaccurate touch response.
  • Adjust Brightness and Contrast: If the screen is flickering or dim, adjusting the brightness and contrast settings might help.

Inspect for Physical Damage

If the touch screen is cracked or damaged, this could be causing the issues:

  • Check for Visible Damage: Look for cracks, scratches, or any other physical damage on the screen.
  • Consider Screen Replacement:If the screen is physically damaged, it may need to be replaced. In this case, it’s best to consult a professional for the replacement.

Update the Software

Outdated or corrupted software can cause touch screen problems:

  • Check for Software Updates: Go to the settings menu and check if there’s a software update available for your car’s infotainment system.
  • Install Updates: If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. This can often resolve issues caused by software glitches.

Preventing Future Issues

To keep your touch screen functioning properly, consider these tips:

  • Keep the Screen Clean:Use a microfiber cloth to clean the screen regularly, avoiding harsh chemicals that could damage it.
  • Avoid Excessive Pressure:Don’t press too hard on the screen, as this can cause damage over time.
  • Keep Software Updated:Regularly check for software updates to ensure your system runs smoothly.

Conclusion

Although a broken touch screen might be extremely inconvenient, many problems can be fixed with ease if the proper method is followed. You might be able to resolve the issue on your own and restore functionality to your touch screen by using these troubleshooting procedures. MyMechanic Malaysia offers professional diagnosis and repair services to maintain your car's infotainment system operating at peak performance if you need assistance from a specialist.