Subaru’s Easy Fix To A Frozen Starlink Screen Or Phone That Won’t Connect 

Do you have a blank or frozen screen or a phone that won't connect to your new Subaru Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, or other new Subaru model? You're not alone: Infotainment problems are some of the most common reliability complaints in a new Subaru, as reported by the latest 2023 J.D. Power APEAL study and Consumer Reports reliability surveys. 

If you've ever had a navigation screen freeze or go blank in the middle of a road trip, or you couldn't get your phone to connect or music to play, you know how frustrating it can be when your Subaru Starlink multimedia system suddenly stops working. 

New technology is great when it's working correctly, but when it's not, you'll be unhappy with your new car. Check out this easy (sometimes secret) solution to help reboot or reset your Subaru Starlink multimedia system.

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Consumer Reports asked automakers to share the instructions they give their dealerships and service technicians for resetting frozen infotainment systems. Then the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center experts put their fixes to the test on their fleet of test vehicles. 

Here is the easy fix for resetting the Subaru Starlink infotainment system in your newer Subaru Outback, Crosstrek, Forester, or other Subaru models.

Starlink (2019-2023 model year Subaru vehicles). Press and hold down the audio system power knob for at least 10 seconds. It's that easy. 

What is Subaru Starlink?

Starlink is designed to improve your driving experience. Subaru's Starlink offers a suite of onboard technology, bringing multimedia content with smartphone connectivity, navigation, and extra safety to Subaru vehicles. 

A driver can use the Starlink system with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth. The technology also includes the backup camera screen and controls for the radio and audio system.

Do you need a software update?

If the problem is with your phone connection, start by turning your phone off and back on, and check to see if your phone—or your car—needs a software update. "I have seen a phone stop working after the phone performed a software update," Michael Crossen, Consumer Reports mechanic and master technician, says.

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"In these cases, you must wait for a car software update to fix it." Some cars will prompt owners to download new software over a cellular or WiFi connection, while others require a dealership trip.

You can also check YouTube for infotainment tutorial videos. Someone else likely had the same problem, and they may have put the solution online. If all else fails, make an appointment at the dealership. "Make sure you can accurately describe the issue, and take video or a picture when the system is failing, especially if the problem is intermittent," Crossen says. 

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Denis Flierl brings over thirty years of combined auto industry and automotive journalism experience to Torque News readers. He is an accredited Rocky Mountain Automotive Press (RMAP) member. The last twelve years have been spent with Torque News, covering Subaru vehicles and the latest news. Check back daily for his expert Subaru analysis. You'll find the latest stories on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

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Photo credit: Subaru