Revive Your Jeep’s Touch Screen: Quick Fixes You Can Do Now

Picture this: You’re cruising down a scenic trail in your Jeep, conquering rugged terrain, when suddenly, the heartbeat of your modern adventure – the touch screen – decides to take an impromptu vacation. Panic sets in as the realization hits: no GPS, no music, and no control over the myriad of features embedded in that digital dashboard.

The Jeep touch screen does not work mainly due to a software glitch, frozen screen, delamination, short circuit and hardware failures. The issues can usually be solved by soft reset, hard reset, firmware update, replacing the screen and by fixing the hardware connectivity.

In this article, I will elaborate on why the touch screen of a jeep stops working, what are the most faced reasons, and how they can be fixed. So stay along as I move forward.

Common Problems in Jeep Touch Screen:

Any incident that may cause the screen to go out of order can cause serious harm to the vehicle and misguide you simultaneously. Therefore, you need to ensure if you encounter such a problem as soon as possible.

I have created the infographic below illustrating the common problems with Jeep touch screens. (You are welcome to use and share, but please credit back if you do so.)

Most common problems include:

Frozen Screen:

One of the frustrating issues I encountered with my Jeep’s touch screen was when it suddenly froze. It was like the screen just went still, refusing to register any of my taps or gestures. No matter how many times I tried restarting or resetting, the screen remained unresponsive.

Touch Screen Hardware Failure:

Another challenge I faced was when my Jeep’s screen’s touch hardware seemed to give up. The system was up and running, but when I tried to interact with the screen, it simply didn’t recognize any of my touches. It was as if the touch sensitivity had disappeared, leaving me unable to control or navigate through the infotainment system.

It means that the screen is on, and the system is running, but the screen won’t support any gestures made by the operator.

My Recommendation:

Power Cable Disconnection Or Short Circuit: 

I encountered a frustrating hardware issue with my UConnect system. The touchscreen suddenly became unresponsive, and after some investigation, I realized it could be a hardware problem. 

There might have been loose wires or faulty connections causing this glitch, making the touchscreen lose its functionality.

A Physical Evaluation is Essential:

I decided to inspect the system physically to understand the root cause. Checking for loose connections and wires was crucial in this situation. 

It required opening up the UConnect system to determine if this was indeed the problem affecting the touchscreen.

Considering a Short Circuit:

Another possible culprit I considered was a short circuit within the UConnect system. It made sense, given the sudden failure of the touchscreen. 

Fixing a short circuit can be a bit technical, so I debated whether to attempt the repair myself or seek professional help to ensure a proper and safe resolution.

Software Crash:

The third most common malfunction in the touchscreens is that the software/firmware crashes abruptly.

Once the car is turned on, the screen will turn on and work perfectly for some time, but after some time, the software will start to crash, again and again, causing the screen to restart and reboot itself automatically.

How to Fix the Common Problems in Jeep Touch Screen:

The points mentioned above are most common malfunctions observed by the jeep owners. Below are a few remedies by which you can easily fix these issues if diagnosed at early stages.

Other Reported Malfunctions with the Jeep Touchscreen and Fixes:

1. Dust and Dirt on the U-Connect Screen:

The touch screen of the Jeep becomes dirty after some time, creating an issue with clicking and touch.

The dust and combination of smudge oil on the screen results in the auto-command on the screen. It creates a lot of issues in closing and opening random programs.

How to Fix the Issue of Dust and Dirt on the U-Connect Screen:

Cleaning the U-Connect Screen:

It is recommended to clean the touch screen using a soft and dry cloth having microfiber. You can use a cleaner spray for screens and the micro-fiber cloth as they are not abrasive. This type of cloth is suitable for cleaning the LED screens of vehicles.

You can gently wipe the screen in a circular motion to make it clear. However, it is advisable to use something other than paper towels and cotton rags to clean the touch screen, as they can cause scratches.

Also, avoid pressing the screen in hard form during sweeping, as this activity can damage the touch screen.

2. Software Glitch of Screen:

Touch screens often face the issue of minor bugs due to updates. Many jeep owners report firmware issues that require an upgrade to fix such problems.

The issues with the firmware of U-Connect are one of the most widespread problems among the owners of Jeep.

How to Fix the Software Glitch on Screen:

1. Soft Reset:

You can seek the help of a soft reset to resolve the software issues associated with the U-Connect. The reset process of U-Connect is different and depends on the version.

You can do the soft rest by following the steps below:

1. Place the Jeep in a park and turn the key to run the ignition.
   
2.  Press the volume and knob buttons and hold them till they start.
   
3.  Hold the knob buttons for 10-20 seconds and check whether the name of the Jeep flashes on the screen.
   
4.  The system will reinitialize till you return to connect it to the main screen of U-Connect.

2. Hard Reset:

If the soft reset goes unsuccessful in installation, you can try the hard reset. Hard reset is easier than the other one and completely wipes out all the saved data.

In addition, it can reset the default settings of the factory (similar to the ‘Factory Reset’ of your smartphone).

You can follow the steps below to implement the hard reset according to your vehicle and screen:

1. Remove the terminals of the battery.
   
2. Wait for ~5 minutes.
   
3. Reconnect the removed terminals and turn on the ignition.
   
4. The U-Connect now resets successfully.

If, after implementing these steps, still the U-Connect screen shows some problems, it indicates that the problem is with the hardware.

3. Corroded Grounds:

There is a ground strap associated with the electrical system of the Jeep. It is also called ground cable, which is more prone to corrosion.

The corroded ground cable can cause various electrical issues in the vehicle and can freak out the touch screen. The problems of low voltage, dead battery, dim lights, and failure of the air conditioner are due to the corroded ground cable.

How to Fix the Corroded Ground Cable:

The corroded ground cables are inconvenient as it leads to various other problems. Therefore, it is advisable to detect the exact root cause of the corroded ground cable.

Sometimes, it becomes difficult to manage and fix this issue by yourself. Hence, you can seek help from an automotive specialist who can help you evaluate the ground cable.

4. The Issue of Delamination:

The issue of delamination arises when the top layer of the touch screen Jeep is separated from the bottom layer. Various Jeep owners hold expertise in laminating the delamination of touch screens.

When the issue of delamination arises, a bubble is formed beneath the U-Connect screen and causes a problem in the functioning of several applications. The touch screen of the Jeep becomes unresponsive and shows the problem of going on and off.

How to Fix the Issue of Delamination:

The issue of delamination on the touchscreen is a disappointing act. The touchscreens freak out due to this issue, and there is no alternate way of replacing the touch screens of Jeeps other than replacing them.

You can contact the dealer to replace or fix the U-Connect touchscreen if there is a warranty on your Jeep. You can buy a second-hand or a new screen that suits your budget.

I recommend checking the best UConnect replacement touchscreen here.

Checking and Fixing Fuse:

If all of the above suggestions fail to resolve your Uconnect touchscreen issues, a problem with the power supply for your infotainment system is likely causing this problem.

In case your touch screen of the Jeep never lights up and is always black, you can check out the following:

Your Jeep comes with a variety of fuses to support the electrical system. There is one for everything, including memory seats, sunroofs, audio systems, lamps, and elevating your luggage gate.

In most of its vehicles, FCA uses a 25A Clear (ATO / Uni-Val) F02 (fuse number) for the infotainment system. If anything goes wrong on the F02, the touch screen gets cut off and won't work.

What If You Need to Replace the Touch Screen:

Sometimes, you may have to replace your Jeep Touch Screen. I had to replace mine in 2021. The display is glued to the actual screen.

Depending on what’s wrong, you can often replace just the LCD+touch panel to get it working again. To disassemble the radio, you’ll need a torque tool for precision purposes.

Cost for Replacing the Touch Screen of Jeep:

The cost of installing the new touchscreen falls in the range of $200-$1200, including the screen cost and service fee. 

The price for the touch screens varies according to the brand and quality. Some other factors affect the cost, including the model, age, and location of the Jeep.

Final Thought:

Touch screens are an excellent addition to Jeeps and can save time. But they’re not as good when something goes wrong with them.

After reading this article, you should now be able to diagnose and fix the problem with your UConnect touchscreen.

Also Read:

Jeep Compass Touchscreen Not Working? Here’s How to Fix
Why Your Jeep Grand Cherokee Won’t Move in Gear- How to Fix?
12 Reasons Why Jeep Grand Cherokee Won’t Start- How to Fix
What Wheels Interchange with Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Jeep Grand Cherokee Power Liftgate Problems And Fix
How to Reset Jeep Grand Cherokee Warning Service?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How should a person fix a frozen Uconnect screen?

Frozen Jeep U Connect screens usually get fixed by following these steps, but it varies based on the model or the version of the screen installed in your Jeep. Turning on your screen usually takes a few simple steps:

1. Keep your Jeep in the park. Also, put the Jeep in “Run” mode.
   
2. You must simultaneously press and hold down the volume button and tuner knob.
   
3. Hold them down for around 10 – 20 seconds.
   
4. The touchscreen will flash the vehicle’s brand, and the screen will become dark.
   
5. After a while, the brand name will be visible again. Now, the Uconnect system is reinitialized and will redirect to the main UConnect page.

How to restart the android touch screen in Jeep grand Cherokee?

The android screen usually installed in a Jeep Grand Cherokee is the simplest to restart. It can be restarted by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds, the android system will reboot, and the logo will appear on the screen. It usually takes the system 4-5 minutes to shut down and turn on again properly.

Is the touch screen of the Jeep 4.0 covered in its warranty?

No, the company only claims a warranty on the engine, transmission, and suspension components. The company does not replace or repair other electrical components under the warranty manual.

How can a person turn on the touch screen of a Jeep?

It is recommended to hold the buttons for about 10-15 seconds on the touch screen of the Jeep. This will reset and reconnect the touch screen with your Jeep Cherokee.

What are the reasons why the U-Connect of the Jeep does not works?

If the U-Connect of Jeep does not work properly, you can fix this issue through Bluetooth settings and set it to the discoverable mode. However, waiting for the devices to recognize this discoverable mode is recommended before pairing it with other devices.

How can a person fix the problems with the U-Connect?

You can fix the issues associated with the U-Connect through the following tips:

1. Restart the phone and delete the pairing history of U-Connect
   
2.  Set the phone to discoverable mode
   
3.  Check the software update and reset the U-Connect
   
4.  Check out if the U-Connect is connected and paired to other devices.