The Chevy Equinox is a popular crossover SUV that boasts an impressive, modern entertainment system. It comes equipped with a factory-installed radio that enhances your driving experience.
While the Chevy Equinox radio is good, it is prone to issues such as frozen screen, screen block, and connectivity problems. One available solution is resetting the system to restore the radio.
For a deeper insight, read on as we delve into how to reset the Chevy Equinox radio. We will also look at the common reasons for resetting, radio problems, precautions, etc. Stay tuned!
Contents
Step-by-Step to Reset Chevy Equinox Radio
Resetting your Chevy equinox radio will depend on the year of the model, as the systems are different. Factory reset a Chevy Equinox radio process falls into different classifications as listed below:
Performing a Soft Reset
2019 – 2022 Models
To reset your Chevy Equinox radio models from 2019 and 2022, you can follow these simple steps:
- Step 1: Click on the home button and search for “Settings.”
- Step 2: Scroll to “Factory Settings”
- Step 3: Select “Restore settings.”
- Step 4: Long-press the “Home button.” You can hold the button for about 10 seconds to start the reset.
- Step 5: Check if the reset is complete.
2014 – 2018 Models
To reset the 2014–2018 models, you can follow the below steps:
- Step 1: Click the “Home button” on your car display.
- Step 2: Select “Settings” and click the “Systems” tab
- Step 3: Tap “Return to Vehicle factory settings.”
- Step 4: Check if the stereo system has returned to stock settings.
2007 – 2013 Models
Follow the below steps to reset the 2007–2013 models:
- Step 1: Start the vehicle engine.
- Step 2: Long press the “HR button.”
- Step 3: Continuously press the “Min Button.”
- Step 4: Check if the reset is complete.
Performing a Hard Reset
Performing a hard reset on your Chevy Equinox radio is another way to restore settings. While this might be the last option, you will have to reset MyLink radio if you encounter enough issues.
You only need to disconnect the power supply to the main unit rather than hold the buttons on the control panel. Here are the steps:
- Step 1: Switch off the radio and engine of your car.
- Step 2: Pop the latch to open the front hood below the steering wheel.
- Step 3: Remove the positive terminal from the battery. You can use a wrench to do this.
- Step 4: Wait for a few minutes (not less than 5 minutes).
- Step 5: Re-connect the battery
Note: Performing a hard reset will erase all data, including the sound system settings.
Common Reasons for Resetting the Radio
You might reset your Chevy Equinox radio for various reasons: frozen screen, erasing stored programs, or overheating. While there could be multiple other reasons, the ones mentioned are common.
Let’s see each reason for resetting your Chevy Equinox radio below:
- Erase Stored Programs. If you want to sell your radio, you can reset it to erase all stored programs and allow the new owner to set it up according to their preferences. However, you can also reset to start fresh with a clean slate.
- Overheating is a common reason why you may want to reset your radio.
If your radio overheats, you may experience poor performance, internal damage, or thermal shutdown. While resetting cannot completely solve the issue, it can temporarily help as you figure it out.
- Frozen Screen. If you have tried everything and still your radio isn’t working, reset it. However, a screen frozen or a screen black may indicate a more major problem than with the radio unit itself.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you are experiencing issues with your Chevy Equinox radio, here are some standard troubleshooting tips you try to resolve.
- The radio is not working
If your radio stops working, commonly, it’s a fuse problem. The fuse controls the radio and is typically connected to the Chevy infotainment system. You may need to locate the fuse and check the problem to resolve the issue. If they are blown out, you may need to replace them.
- The screen is frozen
The Chevy Equinox radio commonly comes with a digital screen, but it may encounter glitches, such as a frozen display due to loose wires that fail to transmit power over time.
- Radio not turning on
If your radio isn’t turning on, it could be due to a faulty power switch, loose terminals, or wires. However, it’s most commonly associated with a drained battery, which means the radio needs a power supply.
Additional Tips and Recommendations
Here are some additional tips and recommendations for troubleshooting a Chevy equinox radio:
- Perform a Radio Reset.
A radio reset can help solve minor glitches or temporary issues. However, you need to take precautions.
- Unstable Sound
Your radio might be working, but the sound cuts off out of nowhere. This can be due to audio enhancement features, which you may need to disable, or faulty wires that do not connect properly to the power supply. You may need to check the speakers to ensure they are correctly placed.
Precautions to Take While Resetting the Radio
While resetting the radio can help resolve various issues, it is essential to take particular precautions to ensure a smooth process. Below are some precautions you can take:
- Switch off the radio
This should always be the first step before performing a reset. You always need to ensure your radio and vehicle engine are turned off. This can help prevent any temporary damages or electric surges.
- Disconnect the battery
While this can be optional, it’s also an additional precautionary measure. Disconnecting the battery can prevent accidental power spikes or electric shorts.
- Be gentle
The reset process requires a lot of gentleness and patience. While it can take some time, being gentle and patient is crucial. You don’t need to over press the buttons or rush the reset process. Be patient till the process finishes.
Different tips can help you prevent future radio-related problems. First, manually switch off your car stereo; second, ensure your batteries are not drained and thirdly, fix loose wires. Read below for a detailed explanation.
- Switch Your Car Stereo Manually
When you park, switching off the car manually makes it stay off until you turn it on again. When you turn your vehicle off and remove the car key, the stereo turns off automatically. This can help prevent battery drainage.
- Avoid Draining Your Battery
A drained battery is a common culprit of a Chevy Equinox radio not turning on. The radio cannot get the power supply if your battery is drained. To prevent it, ensure your battery is charged and properly connected.
- Fix Loose Wires
Fix loose wires to prevent future problems like the screen not working, poor audio quality, or power supply. Loose wires can result in a power supply cut, making the radio faulty or inconsistent.
FAQs
Will Resetting the Radio Delete My Saved Settings?
Yes, resetting the radio will delete all your saved settings and stored data, which may be the root of your problems. While the reset process may vary depending on the make, model, and year of the vehicle, as well as the type of radio installed, the outcome should be consistent.
My Radio Is Not Responding to Any Buttons. What Should I Do?
When your Chevy Equinox radio buttons stop responding, the first thing to do is check the fuse.
Usually, the fuse protects the radio from damage; thus, if it’s blown, the normal functioning of the radio may be affected, including the buttons. To solve this issue, you may have to replace blown ones.
Are There Any Alternative Methods to Reset the Chevy Equinox Radio?
Yes, you can do a hard reset of the radio. It’s simpler. You only need to disconnect the battery for 5 minutes to one hour. This is to allow the stored power to drain. When the power drains, the radio loses its stored memory, making it reset.
Conclusion
Knowing how to reset Chevy Equinox radio helps you resolve various issues without hassle. Following the troubleshooting tips outlined lets you quickly reset and restore its standard functionality.
If you need to clock reset or perform a Chevy MyLink hard reset, these guidelines will help you. Be sure to disconnect the power supply before performing a hard reset.
Please keep in mind that the reset procedure may vary depending on the type of radio and the particular year of the vehicle’s production.
Hi there! I am Howe, and I am the founder of G0HWC. I have been a radio enthusiast for as long as I can remember. I live and breathe radio, always taking the chance to blabber about it when customers seek my radio mechanic services.
Five years into working as a radio mechanic, I realized that most people struggle to fully understand the different complex aspects of owning and using a radio, though they understand the importance of having one.
And it dawned on me: I can put my blabbering to good use!
I started G0HWC to blabber all I want and help others who are not yet well-versed in radio language in doing so.