Question: The radio in my Toyota Corolla LE has been acting funky since my battery died. I think I need to reset it. What’s the easiest way to unlock and reset the radio in my Toyota?
Answer: Toyota recommends that you contact the Service Department of your local dealership to have the radio reset—but you can also try fixing this issue yourself.
Some cars are equipped with anti-theft systems which assume that if a radio has lost power from the car battery, it has been disconnected and stolen from the car. The radio will lock and can usually only work again by entering a code. If your battery died, was replaced, or otherwise experienced a connection interruption from the radio, the anti-theft system may have been triggered.
To fix this problem, look for the code in your owner’s manual. In some Toyota’s, the last three digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should work as the code. If you can’t find it or the VIN strategy doesn’t work, request it from the car’s previous owner or your local dealership.
Once you have the code, you should be able to reset your Toyota radio yourself via two easy steps:
- Simultaneously press and hold the 1 button and the up arrow on the Seek button of your radio. You will see four dashes appear on the display.
- Input the stereo code using the corresponding preset buttons 1-6. You will get three chances to enter your code properly before the system locks. At that point, you’ll need to visit the dealer for help.
Other radio reset options
Some Toyotas circa 2022 have audio systems that can freeze up once or twice a year. You can reset the system this way:
- Press the physical Menu button, then select Setup on the touchscreen.
- From the main Setup screen, page down and press Delete personal data.
- The screen will warn that this will erase information such as your phone contacts and address book from the infotainment system. To proceed, press Delete. It will ask if you’re sure you want to proceed. Press Yes. It will then take a moment for the software to delete your data.
- The system will then return to the main Setup screen. Depending on your vehicle, you may be prompted to download a required Entune App Suite. You can press Now which may seem to trigger a download; however, the Entune app was introduced in 2011 and has since been discontinued. Toyota now has a new app.
- The display will then prompt a “Select install to continue.” Press Install, and if the screen says Entune will not be available during installation, press Continue.
- Once reset, the screen will say, “Installation completed.” Press OK. The system has essentially now been reset to its factory settings.
- Note that resetting the system will wipe out any saved radio stations and stored navigation addresses and that you will need to reprogram these. The reset will also erase contacts imported from your phone. To re-import those contacts, you will need to re-pair your phone with the system using Bluetooth.
Toyota’s more recent models have a new radio/infotainment system that can be reset in two ways—either partially or fully.
- A partial reset deletes the data associated with an individual profile. From the homescreen, press the Settings icon that should be on the left in the shape of a gear. Then press Personal info and Reset settings. The screen warns that any information attached to an individual profile will be reset to default factory settings. Press Reset to proceed.
- A full system reset deletes the data associated with all the profiles. From the homescreen, press the Settings icon. Scroll down and press Info & Security. Then press Systems reset. The screen warns that “All users and personal data will be removed and all settings will be reset to their original values.” Press Reset to proceed.
Deirdra Funcheon is a journalist with a master\\\’s degree from Boston University and more than 20 years of experience covering a broad range of topics. She has worked at Univision (on the investigative team at Fusion), Axios (where she covered Miami-area news) and Bisnow (covering the commercial real estate industry). At Jerry, she aims to empower drivers with knowledge about how their vehicles work and how best to handle repairs, insurance and other complications of car ownership.
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.
