5 Reasons Your Tesla Screen is Black!
Having a black Tesla screen is not a normal situation, and most computer operating systems face similar issues.
However, having a black screen shouldn’t be very frightening to you as there are many solutions to having a black Tesla screen.
But to find a solution to a problem, you have to know what is causing the problem. That brings us to the question, why do Tesla screens turn black?
Some common reasons why your Tesla screen turns black include issues with your battery and software, a loose connection, or a hardware failure; these are some prevalent reasons. Luckily, these are minor issues you can fix yourself or with little help.
When this happens, do not panic because, in this article, we will be providing several reasons, in detail, why your Tesla screen turns black and solutions to these cases.
Why Has My Tesla Screen Changed to Black?
Certain factors cause your Tesla screen to turn black on the X, Y, 3, and Z models, and these issues can be fixable, so you don’t have to worry.
Some common reasons why your Tesla screen turns black include the following;
#1. System Overload
System overload is usually common with the Y-screen models. This is too many applications running simultaneously on the car’s computer.
The computer usually finds it very difficult to handle these issues as the system was not built for various applications simultaneously, hence, the freezing of the Tesla screen.
Like our mobile phones, when too many apps run simultaneously, it is susceptible to lagging; the same goes for the screens system.
#2. User Error
Many drivers would love to stream their favorite music on Spotify on the go, not knowing that this can also contribute to the screen’s blackout.
Regularly streaming music nonstop can also affect the screen and cause your device to blackout.
#3. Software Issues
Sometimes, your Tesla screen can become unresponsive due to several software issues.
When your software is not updated, your Tesla screen tends to come up with several issues, not only going black.
Ensure that you update your software regularly to prevent this from happening.
#4. Battery Issues
When your Tesla battery is low or dead, it can cause the screen to go black, as the system cannot handle many applications on the car with a low battery.
That is why it is always advisable to regularly check your Tesla screen batteries and other components of the car before you drive to prevent errors like this.
#5. Loose Connection
Over time, the cables connecting your screen to the car become loose and typically cause the screen to go black.
Ensure you regularly check your car for issues like this, or try taking it for a professional checkup to reinstall new cables.
If you do not feel comfortable checking out these issues by yourself, please ensure that you contact Tesla customer service.
Take your car to a professional Tesla service center for more assistance.
What Do You Do When Your Tesla Screen Turns Black?
Most reasons why the Tesla screen touchscreen goes black can be refixed by just following some easy steps that I will provide below for different situations;
#1. Reset Your Touchscreen
A faulty touchscreen can lead to a black screen if not handled correctly when the issue arises.
Resetting your Tesla touchscreen is as easy as resetting your TV when it goes black; you only have to follow a few easy steps.
You are not deleting any files by resetting your touch screen, so do not worry; your files will be kept safe.
Below are the steps to reset your touchscreen effectively;
- Ensure that you park your device first
- Press and hold down the two scroll buttons on the steering wheel until the touchscreen goes black.
- Wait for a few seconds; the screen should project the Tesla logo, and your screen just restarted.
#2. Wait For a System Cool Down
If you have too many apps running simultaneously or making too many requests, you should wait for the CPU to cool down.
You wouldn’t have to wait too long for this to happen because the system usually returns to normal in no time.
But if it doesn’t cool down after waiting for a few seconds, you would need to take other measures like hard rebooting your Tesla.
Hard rebooting usually requires you to interact with your touchscreen; since the touchscreen is frozen, you must achieve this by other means.
Below are the steps you should take to successfully hard reboot your Tesla;
- Switch off your climate control system
- Open the frunk
- Remove the top panels by taking off your under-hood storage
- Find the 12V battery
- Now disconnect the ground and insulate the terminal from the post so they don’t contact each other.
- Now you should disconnect the first response loop
- After waiting a minute or two, reconnect the 12v battery ground
- Replace everything you took out in the correct order and close back the frunk.
#3. Update Your Tesla
Sometimes, installing the latest software on your Tesla is just the fix to the black screen issue.
The old Tesla screen models lack some essential features in the new ones, hence, the need for an update.
It is usually normal for the old versions to develop issues like a black screen and bugs when they have not been updated.
Your Tesla is also supposed to update when there are newer versions automatically, but if it doesn’t, you just have to update your Tesla screen manually.
All you need to do to update your Tesla is to go to the menu and click on update; any new update from Tesla is supposed to appear on the screen.
Below is a summary of some of the reasons why your Tesla screen is black and fixes for this issue;
Reasons Why Tesla Screen Turns Black | Solutions |
---|---|
Loose or disconnected cables | Check your cables and reconnect any loose cables |
Defective hardware component | Contact tesla services for repair |
Faulty touchscreen display | Contact tesla services for repair or replacement |
Battery issues | Replace any bad batteries |
Overheating | Allow the system to cool down |
Why Is My Tesla Screen Black After an Update?
If, after a system reboot, your Tesla screen remains black, it should be due to a few reasons.
Below are some possible reasons why it is like that;
#1. System Reboot
If your Tesla screen is still black after an update, it is most likely due to a system reboot. This usually occurs after an update, so you should not panic.
Just wait for the reboot; your screen should return to normal.
#2. Incomplete Update
Sometimes, you may not have installed your new update correctly or fully; this can cause the system to display such behavior.
Ensure that you install the correct version of an update, and also monitor the update process to ensure that all the new files are installed.
#3. Firmware Corruption
Although this is rare, a system update can sometimes result in firmware corruption. This can happen due to various factors like interruption of the installation process.
You should consult the Tesla support team for guidance in cases like this.
If you are confused about why your Tesla screen remains black about an update, don’t stress; consult Tesla customer services for guidance.
FAQs
How Do You Reboot a Tesla Black Screen?
The general way to update a Tesla screen is to hold down the two scroll buttons on the steering for about thirty seconds until the Tesla logo appears.
Is Black Screen Unrepairable?
Yes, a Tesla black screen is often repairable; contact Tesla for assistance early when you notice this problem.
Why Did My Car Screen Turn Black?
Some common reasons car screens turn black are a problem with connection wires, software problems, or system overloading.
What To Do When Your Tesla Screen Goes Black
If your touchscreen is unresponsive, you should first try to reboot the system. If this doesn’t work, then you can start troubleshooting to see what the issue is.
Hey, I’m Michael Davis, a 35-year-old with a degree and a love for cars and tech. Since I was a kid, cars have been my thing—so much that I even thought they ran on magic beans! Fast forward, and I’ve built Vehicle Army, your one-stop-shop for easy-to-understand car facts.