Why can't the GL8 play USB?
4 Answers
GL8 may not be able to play USB due to song format issues. Here is more relevant information: 1. USB Introduction: USB, short for Universal Serial Bus, is an external bus standard that regulates the connection and communication between computers and external devices. It is an interface technology applied in the PC field. USB interfaces support plug-and-play and hot-swapping functions. USB was jointly proposed by Intel, Compaq, IBM, Microsoft, and other companies at the end of 1994. 2. Playing music via car Bluetooth: To play music via Bluetooth, the car's onboard computer must support Bluetooth 2.0 or higher; otherwise, it will fail. Additionally, iOS phones require the onboard computer's Bluetooth to be version 4.0 or higher. Once the onboard computer's Bluetooth is connected, it will prioritize the Bluetooth source as the primary audio source.
I recently encountered the issue of my GL8 not recognizing USB drives, and after some troubleshooting, I realized there could be several reasons. First, the USB format might be incorrect—it needs to be FAT32, as NTFS or exFAT formats aren’t recognized. Second, the USB drive itself might be too large, as older GL8 models only support drives under 64GB; larger ones won’t work. Additionally, file types matter—for example, the GL8 mainly supports audio formats like MP3 or WMA, while FLAC or high-bitrate AAC files won’t play. Another possibility is a faulty USB port, dust blocking the connection, or aging cables, all of which can cause recognition failures. When troubleshooting, try different USB drives first, reformat them, and update the vehicle’s software to the latest version. If that doesn’t work, unplug the USB and restart the system—sometimes a reboot fixes the issue. In short, don’t overlook these small details—they can save you a trip to the dealership.
When encountering USB playback failure in the GL8, I usually start troubleshooting from the simplest possibilities. USB device issues are most common - such as a damaged flash drive or incorrect formatting. Make sure it's FAT32 formatted with files in the root directory. If unsupported file types are present (like videos or special audio formats), the GL8 system may ignore them entirely. Next, check the vehicle's USB port - loose connections or dirt buildup may prevent linking, try a different port. Problems may also exist in vehicle settings - the infotainment system might be in protection mode or the wrong audio source selected, check the menu options. Restarting the head unit or engine once can sometimes refresh the connection. If none of these work, it could be a software bug or hardware failure requiring professional diagnosis of the circuit by a technician.
My GL8 occasionally can't play USB, and the most common reasons are the USB not being plugged in tightly or the wrong format. Make sure the USB drive isn't too large—some older models are limited to 32GB; MP3 is the best file type to use. Check if the port and cable are intact, and usually, re-plugging or restarting will solve the issue.
