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If your radio keeps turning off during playback, it can be due to a variety of different reasons.
The best way to solve this issue is to address the easy-to-fix issues first and then, move on to things that might need more intensive fixes.
In this post, we’ll provide step-by-step instructions on how you should diagnose this issue and solve it.
Quick Summary
In this post, we will discuss:
- What to do if your radio keeps turning off
- Check for any software issues
- Check to see if it’s a speaker issue
- Inspect the faceplate
- Examine the factory head unit
- Examine the wiring
- Check the fuse
So without further ado, let’s get into it.
What to Do if Your Radio Keeps Turning Off? (Step-by-Step Guide)
If you find that your radio keeps turning off in the middle of playback, then the issue could be any of the following:
- Improperly installed or corrupted software
- Faulty or damaged speakers
- Loose or improperly installed faceplate
- Damaged or faulty factory head unit
- Damaged or tangled wires
- Blown or incorrect fuse
We advise that you go through this post and apply our steps in order. This will ensure that you diagnose the issue with your particular radio in the most effective way possible.
After all, you don’t want to be dismantling your radio and pulling it out of your dashboard panel if it’s just a software issue, right?
Follow these steps to fix your radio:
Step 1: Check for Software Issues
To start off, if you have a digital stereo, then you should check to see if all the software and firmware are properly installed.
Depending on the radio model you have, it may come with a diagnostics app that can run a scan to check if anything’s corrupted. If it catches anything, it’ll reinstall that particular software or firmware.
If you’re able to uninstall and reinstall the radio app, then this can be something that fixes the issue as well.
Step 2: Check Your Speakers
Next, you should check to see if the issue lies with your speakers rather than your radio.
A clear indication that the speakers are the issue is if the head unit displays that your radio is running but the speakers don’t transmit any sound.
To be sure, you should try to play music using the stereo through your speakers. If the speakers are able to play music without any interruption, then it’s an issue with your radio.
However, if the speakers are unable to play it properly and behave in a similar way as when you use the radio, then your speakers are faulty. The easiest solution to this would be to replace them. However, you can also go to a mechanic to try and get them fixed as well.
Step 3: Inspect the Faceplate
Sometimes, the faceplate for your factory head unit can become loose on your dashboard panel.
While a loose faceplate may not seem like too much of an issue, it can indeed sometimes disrupt playback in certain radio models.
Inspect the faceplate and ensure that it is properly and firmly secured with your factory head unit. If it’s not, go ahead and push it gently until it clicks securely into place.
If this fixes the issue, then you’re golden.
However, if this doesn’t, then you’ll need to pull the factory head unit out and inspect it. For this, you must first remove the faceplate.
For most radio models, you can easily do that by gently inserting a flathead screwdriver inside it and gently making it loose. Once it’s loose, you can pull it off gently with your hands.
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Step 4: Inspect the Factory Head Unit
If tightening the faceplate did not fix your issue, then the next step is to take the factory head unit out from the dashboard panel and inspect it.
Depending on the radio model, you might be able to pull the head unit out with regular tools such as a file, knife or screwdriver. However, with some radio models, you might need a specialized radio removal set.
In most cases, you’ll receive these radio removal tools when you buy a particular car radio. If you didn’t get one, then you can also buy one from local mechanic shops.
After you remove the faceplate, inspect either side of the factory head unit for thin slots. You’ll need to insert the radio removal keys on either side and use them to pull the unit out.
Pull it out gently so that it does not fall over when it’s fully out of your dashboard panel.
Once it’s completely out, inspect it thoroughly for any signs of damage. If you find that it’s damaged in some way, then it’ll need to be replaced.
However, it seems okay, then the next step is to assess the wiring…
Step 5: Examine the Wiring
After you pull the factory head unit, you’ll notice the wiring harness at its back.
These are the wires that are connected to the fuse and battery of your vehicle. Assess the wires thoroughly to ensure none of them are damaged. It’s also a good idea to assess the connections the wires have to the head unit.
If you see any connections that are loose, make sure to tighten them securely. Also, if you find any damaged wires, make sure to replace them.
Lastly, you should get rid of any large tangles that may have occurred with the wiring. Overly tangled wires can introduce a lot of static noise during playback and it can even result in your radio not working at all.
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After you’re satisfied with the wires, you can reassemble the head unit and reinstall it into your dashboard panel.
Step 6: Check the Fuse
Lastly, you want to check the fuse for your car radio.
You’re checking for two things:
- Whether or not the fuse has blown.
- Whether or not you’re using the correct fuse.
The former is fairly simple, simply take the fuse out of the fuse holder and inspect it. If it’s black in the middle, then that means it has blown and needs to be replaced.
Note: You should also replace your fuse if it’s too old.
If your fuse seems okay, then you should check what its amperage is.
| The most appropriate fuse to use with car radios is ANL-type fuse. |
When it comes to amperage, you’ll need to look at the amplifier in your car. If the amplifier has an internal fuse, then the fuse for your car radio needs to be slightly larger than what it is.
For example, if your amplifier has a 25-amp fuse, then it’s a good idea to have a fuse for your car radio that works at 30 or 35 amps.
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Conclusion
We hope this post helped you out and you were able to get your car radio working consistently.
If you’re still having issues with your radio, then please reach out to us in the comments section below.
We’d love to help you out.
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