Why is the car screen not lighting up?
4 Answers
Car screen not lighting up is most likely due to poor line contact, so it is necessary to check whether there is a loose connection in the circuit in time. If there is, it will naturally lead to the black screen of the central control screen. At this time, just connect the loose part properly. It may also be because the power signal line is aging. You can try to replace it with a new one. If the black screen is solved, it means that there is indeed a problem with the power signal line. If the central control screen still does not light up after checking the above two situations, it should be because the screen has been used for too long, resulting in a failure of the power supply module, which not only causes lag, but also the black screen phenomenon in severe cases. It may also be due to defects in circuit design, but problems such as module abnormalities and design defects are beyond your own ability to solve, and you need to go to the repair shop for inspection, repair or direct replacement.
A while ago, the central control screen of my car also went black inexplicably. After struggling for a long time, I finally figured out a few key points. Nowadays, car screens are just like smartphones—80% of black screen issues are power-related. First, check if the cigarette lighter fuse is blown—it's the easiest to replace. If you see a startup screen flash briefly when powering on before it goes black again, it's likely the screen's motherboard that's dead. Another time, I discovered the issue was caused by incorrect wiring of an aftermarket dashcam leading to a short circuit—unplugging it immediately fixed the problem. Software crashes are also common; try holding the power button for ten seconds to force a reboot. If the screen is overheating and emitting a strange odor, cut the power immediately and send it for repair to avoid damaging other circuits. If you really can't diagnose the issue, taking it to a 4S shop to read the fault codes with a diagnostic computer is the most reliable solution.
I've encountered this issue twice before. The trick is to start with the simplest checks. Is the power cable connection loose? Many car screen wiring harnesses are located behind the glove compartment, and the connectors can come loose after prolonged vibration. Replacing the corresponding 10A fuse for the audio-visual system in the fuse box is quite simple - just a few dollars at a hardware store. Compatibility issues caused by aftermarket head unit modifications are the most troublesome - my friend's screen went black after an upgrade and only worked again after reverting to the factory system. New energy vehicles are more prone to screen failures, where system bugs require waiting for OTA updates. Finally, remember not to turn on the screen immediately after the car has been baking in the sun - high temperatures can cause crashes, wait for the AC to cool things down first. For older vehicles, pay attention to wiring harness aging - cracked rubber insulation causing short circuits can trigger the screen's power protection shutdown.
Check these areas yourself: First, press any button to see if the screen backlight works. If there's backlight but no image, it's a motherboard issue. No response at all means checking the power supply. Check if the cigarette lighter has power to determine if the fuse is blown—the fuse box is usually under the steering wheel. For cars with aftermarket navigation, pay attention to the main unit's power supply line; connecting the red wire to constant power can easily drain the battery. If the screen gets hot when parked, it's likely a program freeze—disconnect the negative battery terminal for five minutes and try again. Water damage causing a short circuit is the most troublesome—check the wiring harness in the A-pillar after car washes or if the sunroof leaks. If all else fails, hold the reset button on the car stereo to force a reboot. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need a diagnostic tool.
