Question: Help! My Volkswagen’s Bluetooth is not working for some reason. I can’t make calls, stream music, or get driving directions through my car anymore. What should I do to fix my VW Bluetooth pairing problems?
Answer: There can be several reasons why your phone isn’t connecting to your Volkswagen’s Bluetooth. By trying a few different approaches, you can potentially solve the issue and get back to making calls, streaming music, and getting driving directions through your car.
Here’s what Jerry recommends:
- Make sure your phone’s Bluetooth is on and your phone is visible. On your phone, go to Settings > Bluetooth. From there, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. Also, check that you have turned on the option for your phone to be discovered via Bluetooth.
- Check whether your phone or VW infotainment system needs an upgrade. If your phone or vehicle needs a software update, you might be unable to pair the two via Bluetooth. You can update your phone through the Settings menu, but you may need to take your car to a Volkswagen dealership to upgrade the infotainment software.
- Unpair your phone from your car and any other devices. Delete your phone from your VW’s Bluetooth menu, then delete your VW from your phone’s Bluetooth menu. Also, unpair or delete any other Bluetooth devices from your car, like headphones or another phone—these could interfere with your Bluetooth connection. Then, try pairing your phone and car again.
Other Options
If none of these steps work, you might need to reset your Volkswagen’s infotainment center or Bluetooth system.
- To reset the infotainment center: Make sure the vehicle is turned on or in auxiliary mode (radio/lights only), then press and hold the power button on your VW’s infotainment system for about 15 seconds. The screen will go black, and the infotainment system will revert to factory settings. This means any personalized settings or saved data will be lost. After the reset is complete, try to repair your phone and VW via Bluetooth.
These exact processes can vary by the model and year of your vehicle, so you may need to refer to your Volkswagen owner’s manual for more specific steps.
If you’ve tried all of these steps and you’re still having trouble pairing your Bluetooth and your phone, you may need to visit a Volkswagen dealership or a shop that specializes in Volkswagen repair. A technician can check whether your VW’s Bluetooth system is working correctly.
To connect your phone to your VW Bluetooth:
1. Turn on your Volkswagen.
2. While in park mode, open your phone’s Bluetooth menu and choose the option labeled “VW BT” (it will also show the last four digits of your VIN).
3. Select “Connect” on your VW’s infotainment screen.
4. Verify that the PIN shown on your phone is the same as the one on your car, then press “Yes” on the vehicle screen and “Pair” on your phone.
Expert insurance writer and editor Amy Bobinger specializes in car repair, car maintenance, and car insurance. Amy is passionate about creating content that helps consumers navigate challenges related to car ownership and achieve financial success in areas relating to cars. Amy has over 10 years of writing and editing experience. After several years as a freelance writer, Amy spent four years as an editing fellow at WikiHow, where she co-authored over 600 articles on topics including car maintenance and home ownership. Since joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2022, Amy has edited over 2,500 articles on car insurance, state driving laws, and car repair and maintenance.
Giselle Gomez is an editor with over a decade of experience editing content across personal finance, education, travel, and sports. In editing for Jerry, Giselle’s focus is on making sure content is consumer and SEO-friendly and helping readers understand all things car ownership. In prior roles, she worked as a content strategist, syndication editor, and writer. Her work is featured in AP, NerdWallet.com, BestColleges.com, and more. Giselle holds a master’s degree from Arizona State University.
