This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Car owners can sometimes run into the issue of their radio system locking up and refusing to work.
It’s a fairly common issue and can be extremely frustrating to deal with since it requires a fair amount of troubleshooting.
Today, we’ve compiled the different methods on how to reset a car radio so that you can continue listening to your favorite tunes.
Quick Summary
In this post, we will discuss:
- The different methods to reset your car radio
- Some frequently asked questions (FAQs)
So without further ado, let’s get into it.
How to Reset Car Radio? (5 Methods)
In this section, we have compiled the different steps you can take to get your locked car radio or car stereo to start working again.
We decided to provide as many approaches as we can since your car radio could be locked for a number of reasons. Hence, any one given method may or may not work. If one method does not work, you can just try out one of the other methods to see if that proves to be fruitful.
We recommend that you try these methods in order since we’ve listed them from the easiest to perform to the hardest.
Let’s get started…
Method 1: Find the Car Radio Code in the Owner’s Manual
If your car radio is not working, the most common reason is that it’s locked and you have to reset it.
In order to reset your car radio, you’ll need to enter the radio security code or car radio code.
Where do you find this code?
Well, the easiest way to find it would be to look inside the owner’s booklet for the car. If you’re like most people, you’ll have the owner’s booklet in the dashboard. If you don’t, then go grab it from wherever you kept it.
In most cases, you’ll find the radio codes in the security, car stereo, or car radio sections. Check out the table of contents and peruse through these sections to locate the radio security code.
Car manufacturers typically print the radio security code in a very noticeable way. You may find it printed on a plastic card or a piece of cardboard inside your owner’s manual.
If you’re able to find the code, enter it in your car radio and your radio should be unlocked and ready to use.
| Important note: A car’s owner’s booklet is a key item to have. It provides you with tips to maintain your car as well as other important tidbits like your car radio security code. When you buy a car, ensure that you get the owner’s booklet for it. This is true if you buy a used car as well. Don’t forget to ask the previous owner for the owner’s booklet. |
Method 2: Find the Car Radio Code on the Car Manufacturer’s Website
If you cannot find your owner’s manual or can’t find the car radio codes inside it, then you’ll need to navigate to the car manufacturer’s website.
Most car manufacturers will have the car radio code on their websites.
You don’t need to worry about paying anything since most car manufacturers will provide the radio code for free.
| Go to your car manufacturer’s website and navigate to the “Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)” section if they have one. This is where you’ll typically find the radio codes. It’s important to note that this is the method you should use if you have the stock car radio inside your car. If your car has an upgraded or third-party radio installed inside it, then this method won’t work. In that case, you can try navigating to the radio manufacturer’s website rather than your car manufacturer’s website. |
Once you find the car radio code, go ahead and enter it into your car radio.
Method 3: Seek Customer Support
If the first two methods don’t work for you, then the next step is to seek direct assistance from the car manufacturer (or the radio manufacturer if you have an upgraded one).
Since you’ll already be on the manufacturer’s website in step 2, if you’re unable to find the car radio code, look for a way to contact them.
Most manufacturers will have a “Contact Us” section or something similar.
This is a way for you to seek direct assistance from a customer support representative.
Most companies provide you with many ways to contact them such as through
- Live chat
- Phone
Pick whatever your preferred method is from their provided methods and get in touch with a customer support representative.
They’ll most likely ask you certain details about your car and the car stereo such as
- Car model
- Serial number
- Vehicle release year
- Radio serial number
And possibly more.
With the help of this information, if everything goes smoothly, the representative will be able to provide you with an appropriate radio code.
If you think you may not be able to enter the radio code properly or if you need some further assistance, they can help out with that as well.
Method 4: Go to Your Local Dealership
If none of the above methods work for you, then we’re afraid you’ll have to actually get out of the house to get your car radio fixed.
Go to your local dealership for the brand that your car belongs to. Ideally, this should be the dealership that you bought the car from. However, if that’s not possible, then simply going to your car manufacturer’s local dealership should still be enough.
For example, if you have a Toyota Camry, go to a Toyota dealership near you.
Once you get there, you’ll easily be able to find a representative that can check out the issue with your car stereo and help you fix it.
In many cases, they can even provide you with the correct stereo security code so that you can use it in the future as well.
| Important note: Most car dealerships will charge you a fee for a consultation. The amount you are charged will typically depend on the brand and it’s usually anywhere between $20 to $50. |
That’s why we highly recommend that you note your car’s radio code down somewhere once you get it. That way, you won’t have to spend more money in the future in case you run into this issue again.
Method 5: Go to a Car Radio Repair Center
If all of the above methods have not worked for you, then your final option is to go to a third-party car radio repair center.
Such establishments excel at fixing radios and they can give you great insight into what’s wrong with them. Make sure that you ask them what the issue is and also ask them how you can prevent it from happening in the future.
Naturally, this method will work no matter if you have a stock radio in your car or an upgraded one.
If you don’t know any radio repair centers in your area, you can use Google Maps to conduct an easy search. Once you find a high-rated one, drive your car to it and let them know your issue.
Yes, they’ll charge you a fee for it. How much that fee is will differ wildly depending on the establishment.
Car radios drain your car battery really fast if you’re not careful. Find out how much time it takes for battery to run out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I enter the security code into my radio system?
When car radios require a security code to be entered, they usually display either the word “CODE” or “LOC” on their digital screens.
Once you retrieve the radio code, you must first turn on your ignition and then, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds. You’ll then be asked for the code which you can then enter to unlock your radio system.
Can I reset my car radio without the radio reset code?
This depends on your car’s radio. Some may ask for it, while others do not.
To check this, turn on your ignition and then hold the power button of your radio for 30 seconds. If your radio does not have a power button, you may need to hold the volume button.
If the radio does not require a code, then it will reset on its own.
What does the reset button do on a car stereo?
The reset button is fairly self-explanatory as it performs a full factory reset for your car radio.
This means that all of your clock settings, as well as any other preferences that you may have saved on the radio, will be erased. This usually fixes many issues with your radio that may have occurred due to improper settings.
My radio stopped working after I replaced my car battery. What happened?
If you install your car battery improperly, then this can result in your car radio refusing to work.
This can be due to a number of reasons:
- Damaged fuse: The radio fuse got damaged when you turned on the car with the new battery. To check for this, disconnect your car battery and inspect the fuse holder for any damaged fuses. Replace any damaged fuses that you see.
- Locked radio due to security: If your radio displays the words “CODE” or “LOC”, then that means it’s locked due to its security feature. In this case, you’ll have to enter the security code to get it to work.
- Improper car battery installation: If you didn’t install the car battery properly, then this can damage your car radio. If you think this is the case, take it to your local dealership or car repair shop to get it fixed by a professional.
Do I need to replace my car radio after it gets locked?
Not at all. As we have thoroughly mentioned above, there are several ways to track down the security code you need to unlock your car radio.
If all of the provided methods do not work, then you can consider replacing your car’s radio.
Wrapping Things Up…
As you can see, you have plenty of options for resetting your car radio.
Let us know if the article was helpful. We’d love to know which method worked for you and how you were able to get your locked radio to work.
If you have any further questions about radios, let us know in the comments section below.
