Head unit randomly freezes up and resets

The main issue with mine is, I can go two weeks and drive 4+ hours straight and not once have an issue. But on my 30 min drive to work it freezes up and resets twice. It is so random it’s difficult to troubleshoot what the exact problem. I have pretty much come to terms with just deal with it, and eventually upgrade the entire head unit and sound system down the road.

 

I think I could handle that if that was the case, but mine is every time I start the truck. It's good because I can repro it easily, but it's annoying to have to do it every time I get in the truck and I'm not ready to replace the head unit yet. I'm still on the fence about keeping the head unit when I redo the audio system or replacing everything. I do like that I can get the NAV going without having to plug my phone in, so I would rather wait for someone to come out with wireless carplay first.

 

I’m pretty sure Alpine offers a new head unit with wireless CarPlay. Just saw one the other day.

 

I just got the alert that iOS 11.3 is now available. I'm wondering if this can fix the issue or if it will cause more issues. Now I have to decide if the Entune should be adjusted/upgraded or the phone. This shit's supposed to be the easy part.

 

I had this same issue with a 2014 Tacoma entune plus. Took it in to Toyota and they updated the firmware on the head unit and still the unit would reset. So I had a friend at lunch and it started happening. I removed my phone and added his phone. It stopped with all resets. I then removed his phone and re added my phone and the resets started again. I also noticed that the unit seemed to crash while re uploading my contacts and txt messages. I deleted a bunch of TXT messages on my phone. Especially the messages that had pictures. Once done the resets stopped. I believe from my stand point that bluetooth connection causes head units to reset Kind of like a kernel panic .

 

Interesting... that would make sense timing-wise, since it started happening on my drive home from work on Tuesday and has done t every day since. My wife sent me 6 pictures that day, and my phone saves a lot of text messages. I upgraded to 11.3 yesterday, will see if the issue still occurs. If so, I will delete messages.

 

So iOS 11.3 did not resolve the issue, Entune still rebooting. I also found that my phone was set up to keep all messages, so I changed that to 30 days. It freed up probably 10-15GB of hard drive space, but the rebooting issue is still occurring. I did find that my wife sent me 6 pictures last Tuesday afternoon, and that is the day it started happening. I deleted over 30 pictures from recent text threads, will see what happens when I head home from work.

I also found today that if I disable Bluetooth power on the Entune radio, then reconnect my phone, the rebooting stops (just like it does when I hard-boot the phone). That's at least much easier than hard-booting the phone.

 

Just an update - the issue is still occurring and powering off the bluetooth in the head unit doesn't always fix it on the first shot. This morning I had to turn bluetooth power off and back on 3 times before the head unit would stay running. I found some old threads in some other Toyota forums and it's apparently not uncommon. I also saw that the Entune support reps were pretty quick to offer a support ticket where the Entune head unit can be replaced by Toyota (after Entune had confirmed that the replacement radio was free of defects). These posts were from 2014, but they clearly stated that the people at Entune knew that there was a very big hardware problem. Who knows if that oriignal HW problem was resolved, but it definitely doesn't sound like it.

I reached out to Entune Support and we'll see what they say. My next step is to completely default my phone, see if the issue still occurs, then restore a backup to the phone and try a few combinations of deleting ALL messages and maybe a few apps.

 

Joe, you got an 18. Keep plugging the dealer til they fix it.

 

Good point, but I also have a full-time job and 2 kids under 3 years old. It's difficult to find the time to go back to the dealer and have them fumble around. I'm trying to gather as much data as I can so I can give it all over to them. I know they are going to try to tell me that it's my phone causing the issue.

I actually work in Tech Support for a software company, so I know how a lot of this stuff goes down. I am hoping that they can get me in touch with an Entune tech, so I can give them all of my troubleshooting info. I don't want to deal with dropping the truck off just to have them update software or replace the radio and still have the same issue.

 

Lemon law if they can’t fix it. Lucky for u it is just a radio. Rather than them buy it back you can say just put this aftermarket radio in. Oh, and always set your appt up to get a loaner and leave. Keeps your day free

 

Yep, my brand new 2018 Tundra Platinum with exactly 496 km has an issue with the head unit locking up already. Wish I had read this forum first as I doubt I would have chosen Toyota. Truck has been in service department more than it has on the road.

 

My 2014 platinum freezes up randomly. Most of the time on bluetooth audio, but also on FM sometimes. I really hate the entire system. For the money paid on the premium system, it is total crap. Entune is the worst idea Toyota has ever had. I am starting to look at the new GMC Denali and all the actual options that is comes with. I am starting to get tempted

 

I ended up just replacing it with a Pioneer NEX unit, one of the new ones with wireless carplay. I am very happy with it. It sounds so much better than the stock head unit, even with the factory speakers (which will eventually be replaced with the components from my Tundra).

 

Did you do it yourself? How much, and do you still have regular bluetooth calls, back up cam ect

 

I did it myself. I used to install car stereos for Tweeter when they were still in business. I used the idatalink maestro which allowed me to keep factory settings and backup cam, all in all I think it was just under a grand for the stereo, maestro, and dash kit, maybe $800. Bluetooth calls are waaaaaaaaaaaay more clear on the pioneer.

 

Thanks for the info, I have been looking on crutchfield and they say that the factory bluetooth calls were not available. I figured that they would still work. And it looks like it may cost as little as 450. Or as much as I can talk myself into spending

 

Came here for answers as to why my Entune HU was doing the same thing. I was thinking it happens more often than when my Samsung Galaxy is connected to it, but ill start paying attention to confirm that.

 

I took mine to the dealership(Pat Lobbs Toyota of McKinney) and they updated the software no questions asked(No charge)!

 

I have this issue on my 3 month old 2018. Also had the issue on my 2014 Tacoma.

 

The tough thing about it is whether or not you want to go through the trouble of fixing a radio that has so many shortcomings. I found it way easier to replace it and get better overall sound, more features, better NAV, and much higher quality bluetooth.

 

Exactly! I have an android 12.1" screen head unit on order. But it would be nice to have a perfectly functioning factory head unit to put back if I ever sell the truck or decide to sell the android radio. I also feel like we shouldn't let Toyota off the hook for shipping crappy software on their radios, so I want to make them replace it.

 

If mine goes haywire again, I’ll get the latest version of this:
https://phoenixandroidradios.com/co...screen-navi-radio-for-toyota-tundra-2014-2018

 

This is the one I have on order:

 

This (JBL system issues) is one of two issues that gives me pause before I pull the trigger on a new truck. It's either a Tundra Platinum or Denali 1500 4x4... And I KNOW overall that Toyota is a huge dependability win. I've driven the Denali, but not the 2018 Tundra yet.

For me, I'm staying away from any Android-based HU system. Alpine looks pretty good as some others. YMMV.

 

There is a fix by updating the headunit software. A guy posted a link on Toyota’s site in the thread:
https://www.tundras.com/threads/software-update.38472/

 

Yea mine does same thing with the freezing and resetting but also Bluetooth has now gone out Bluetooth now grayed out in settings

As previously mentioned by others, new phones and updates seem to be the initiation of the issue, particularly IPHONES.

Happened once before and took to two dealerships who said head unit needed to be replaced. Had 2nd one see if there was a hard reset or anything that could do it but called and said a capacitor or something was fried and unit had to be replaced. I declined

When I picked up truck..... miraculously unit was not flashing, resetting AND my phone rang as soon as I was driving out of dealership and call connected to Bluetooth automatically.... imagine that! Guess that capacitor or whatever decided to "un-fry" itself lol

Now a few months later my girlfriend paired her new iPhone to my truck and within an hour all the problems started up again and Bluetooth went out entirely...while on camping trip in Baja. Thinking back now, problems started after she paired her older iPhone and then Bluetooth went out after her phone had update.

What's irritating the most is that Toyota jumps to the $1000+ replacement resolution instead of doing the head unit software update as I had suggested to them!

 

I have a 2018 Tundra where the head unit resets whenever I make or receive a phone call or try to use the iPhone 10 for blue tooth music. I have had it to the dealer twice for software updates no luck.
They have ordered me a new head unit under warranty. Hope it fixes the issue. I had a similar issue with my 2014 Tundra where it the gps would shut down and reset randomly. The final fix for that one the
same thing a new head unit. I suspect whoever is making the head unit for Toyota hasn't changed it for years or fixed the problem.