Question: One of the reasons I got the car I have now was the stereo system—it’s really good, and I’ve always used Bluetooth to play music from my phone. Lately, though, there’s static behind the music playing, which gets annoying. How can you fix Bluetooth static in a car?
Answer: Your car is one of the best places to listen to music—and it does kill the mood when the sound quality is subpar. But in most cases, fixing your car’s Bluetooth static problem is just a matter of simple troubleshooting.
Here are a few solutions you can try before taking your car to a technician:
Unpair your phone and car, then pair them again
Sometimes it can help to just reset the Bluetooth connection between your phone and car.
Go into your phone’s Bluetooth settings, then select your vehicle and choose “Unpair” or “Forget.” It may also help to delete your phone from your car’s Bluetooth settings. Then reconnect your phone to your car to see if this fixes the issue.
Check for interference
Other electronics can interfere with the signal between your phone and your Bluetooth transmitter.
If there are any devices near your speaker that could be causing interference, like another Bluetooth device, power adapter, or mobile Wi-Fi router, move them further away from the speaker.
You can also try moving your phone closer to the Bluetooth receiver—if it’s too far away, a poor signal could be the problem.
Reset your Bluetooth network settings
Go into your phone’s Settings menu and find the option to “Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Settings.” This can be different on each device, but it’s usually under an option like “System” or “General Management.” On an iPhone, it’s usually under “General,” then “Reset” and “Reset Network Settings.” Regardless of your device, you’ll need to re-enter any saved network passwords after this reset.
Check for device updates
If your phone or infotainment center needs a software update, you may hear static when you connect to Bluetooth. Updating either may fix the issue.
Test another phone in your car
Try connecting another phone to your car’s Bluetooth. If there’s still static, you’ll know the problem is with your vehicle, not your phone.
Use a plug-in Bluetooth adapter
If you still can’t clear the static between your phone and your car but the problem appears to be with the vehicle, bypassing your car’s Bluetooth transmitter with an external Bluetooth adapter can sometimes help.
These small devices are usually inexpensive, ranging from $20 to $50 on average. Depending on the adapter, they’ll typically plug into your car’s 12V accessory outlet or aux port.
If none of this helps, you may need to take your vehicle in to have the sound system inspected by a professional technician.
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.
Everett Cook is an award-winning journalist and editor with more than 10 years of experience across a variety of industries. In editing for Jerry, Everett’s mission is to help readers have a better understanding of the costs of owning or leasing a car and to better understand their vehicle in terms of insurance and repairs. Prior to joining Jerry, Everett was an editor for Axios. His previous work has been featured in The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Atlantic, Atlantic Re:think, The Boston Globe, USA Today, and others. He’s also been a freelance writer and editor with experience in SEO, audience building, and long-term content roadmaps. Everett is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.
