Troubleshooting Jeep Bluetooth Not Working Issue

Many Jeep models feature the Uconnect infotainment system, which offers many convenient connectivity options, including Bluetooth. Connecting your phone to your Jeep’s Uconnect system allows you to avoid scanning radio channels and listen to your favorite playlist instead. Once you are accustomed to using this feature, your Jeep’s Bluetooth not working can be frustrating. 

If the Bluetooth is not working in your Jeep, make sure there are no devices nearby that could interfere with the Bluetooth signal and that your device is in range. You’ll also need to ensure that your Bluetooth is on and your device is discoverable. Furthermore, you may need to update your Jeep’s Uconnect software.

If you’re looking to fix the Bluetooth connection issue with your Jeep, this article will walk you through the process. We will explain the different things that cause this issue and offer the best solutions for each problem. By the end of this article, you should certainly be able to use your Jeep’s Bluetooth. 

Reasons Why Your Jeep Bluetooth Isn’t Working

There are several reasons the Bluetooth in your Jeep may not work. The issue could be a temporary interference with the signal. However, other issues can be more complex. The information below will help you pinpoint the exact cause and fix it. 

Make Sure That Your Device Bluetooth is On

It may sound obvious, but the first thing you do is make sure that the Bluetooth is on for your device. It’s possible that it was mistakenly disabled. 

You can see if your Bluetooth is on and connected to your Uconnect system in your device’s Bluetooth settings. 

Interference 

If your Bluetooth is on and you are connected to your Jeep’s radio, something may interfere with the signal. Several things can interfere with the Bluetooth signal. In this case, the most common interferences are USB, WiFi, and other 2.4GHz devices. 

While it’s not as common in the car as it would be inside your home or office, USB 3.0 devices can interfere with Bluetooth signals. This interference can cause the Bluetooth device to disconnect intermittently from the radio. 

This happens because the frequency range of USB 3.0 devices includes 2.4GHz. When they emit these frequencies, it can cause various issues with Bluetooth signals. 

Any other devices that use this technology can possibly cause issues with your Bluetooth connection. Unfortunately, most of the devices used today to utilize this technology include some things on your car. For example, many car alarms and garage door openers work with this technology. 

In addition, Wifi signals also emit 2.4GHz frequencies. This means that if you come in contact with a WiFi signal, it can also interfere with your Bluetooth connection. This includes the mobile hotspot signal from your smartphone. 

Solution

Working around this issue can be challenging, considering it is impossible to avoid these frequencies altogether. 

However, there are a few things you can do to help lower the likelihood of interference, including:

• Make sure the hotspot is off on your smartphone
• Pair your phone while the car is in park. 
• Keep other electronic devices farther away from your mobile device and radio. 

Low Phone Battery

It can also cause issues with your Bluetooth connection when your phone battery is low. 

This common way a low phone battery causes problems with Bluetooth connection is that many smartphones will automatically enter a “Low Power Mode” or “Power Saving Mode” when the battery reaches a lower percentage. 

One way that this feature saves power is that it disables Bluetooth on your device. 

Additionally, smartphones become glitchy in many ways when the battery is running low. One of the results of this can be a reduced Bluetooth signal range. If the low battery reduces your Bluetooth range, you could lose a connection even though you’re near the Uconnect system.

Solution

If your issue is a low phone battery, the best solution is to charge the device. 

However, when you’re unable to charge the device immediately, you can turn off the low power mode feature in your phone’s settings.

Out of Range

When there are no interferences, and your phone has a sufficient battery, your connection issues may be because the two devices are too far away from one another. 

For your devices to remain connected and function correctly, they must be within Bluetooth signal range. 

Solution,

The average Bluetooth signal range is 20-30 meters. Keeping your phone within this distance from your Uconnect system will help prevent connection issues. 

However, the range may be farther away when obstructions are present. 

Obstruction

Obstructions can reduce the Bluetooth range, some more significantly than others. An obstruction could be anything that comes between your phone and your Uconnect system. 

Things like heat and humidity can also impact the range. However, these things have less of an impact. 

Solution 

While some obstacles can’t be avoided, others more likely to interfere with your connection can be. 

Avoid putting your phone in your pocket or a cubby compartment while using Bluetooth to connect to your radio. 

Update your Software

When you’re within range and there are no obstructions, your Jeep Bluetooth connection may be unstable because of an issue with the software. As your Uconnect software ages, it can develop glitches that can impair connectivity. 

Solution 

If the software is the problem, updating it will likely solve the issue. 

To update your Jeep’s Uconnect software:

1. Go to the Uconnect website and search for your VIN.  
2. If there’s an update available, right-click on the download link and select save the file as a ZIP file.
3. Once the file is on the flash drive, unplug any other drives from your Jeep and plug the flash drive into the USB port. 
4. Let the file upload completely, then turn the car off and back on. 

Set to Discover Mode and Pair

If you cannot pair your device at all, your device may not be “discoverable.” If this option is not enabled, the Uconnect will not be able to detect your phone when scanning for available devices. 

So, if your device isn’t showing up when you search for it, go into the Bluetooth settings on your device and make it discoverable before attempting to pair again. 

Reset your Device

If the things above haven’t fixed the problem, you may need to reset your phone. Simply restarting it will work at times. However, if restarting the device doesn’t fix it, you’ll need to go into the settings on your device and find the reset option that restores all settings to factory settings. 

Soft Reset Uconnet

After resetting your device, you should also do a soft reset on your Uconnect infotainment system. 

If you do not regularly reboot the system, it can quickly become bogged down by the various things that a soft reset clears. 

Solution

Performing a soft reset will clear minor glitches within your Uconnect system, including those that may interfere with your Bluetooth connection. A soft reset will only remove the temporary data. It will not erase any of your presets or other settings. 

How to Soft Reset Jeep Uconnect:

1. Turn your ignition on to the setting just before your engine ignites and allow your Uconnect system to boot up completely. 
2. Hold down the Volume and Tuner buttons below the screen for about 15 seconds or until you see that the screen is beginning to reboot. 
3. Once the system completes the reboot, turn your Jeep for a few seconds, then back on. 

Hard Reset Uconnect

If you still have the problem after the soft reset, try performing a hard reset as a last resort. 

This will completely reset the system to its original factory state. However, it is the most likely solution if none of the others have worked. 

If your Jeep’s Uconnect infotainment system has more complex bugs or data errors, they may be too deeply rooted for the soft reset to clear. If this is the case, a hard reset is the only option. 

Solution

You can complete the hard reset by following the steps below:

1. Turn your car on to the point just before the engine ignites and allow your Uconnect system to boot up completely. 
2. Next, you’ll hold the hot and cold buttons simultaneously for about 15 seconds.
3. When the menu appears, locate the option to “Restart to Factory Default.”

When you complete the hard reset, it will remove the settings and presets that you have personalized. However, it will also remove any errors on the device that could cause the problem.

Delete Pairing History on Your Phone

In rare cases, you may still have issues connecting even after completing the hard reset. When this happens, it’s most likely due to information stored in your phone’s pairing history. 

It’s not uncommon for conflicting data to reside in this history. When this happens, it can cause your Bluetooth to disconnect intermittently, assuming you can connect at all. 

Solutions

To clear the information your phone has saved from connecting to your Uconnect system, go into the Bluetooth settings and clear your Bluetooth pairing history. 

If you cannot locate the option to clear the entire history, find your Uconnect and select “Forget this Device.”

Conclusion

If none of these steps resolve the issue, consider taking your Jeep to your dealership to have a technician look at the problem. If you aren’t sure where the nearest dealership is, you locate it on the official Jeep website. 

Your Bluetooth not working in your Jeep can take some of the enjoyment out of driving it. Luckily, when you run into issues with it, there’s usually a simple solution. Most Bluetooth issues can quickly be resolved with a quick reboot or software update.