Issues playing music from USB

[JackNightandDay]

Hi everyone,

For the past 6 months or so, my infotainment has been a little bit off. It doesn't show my iPhone music like it used to. The main screen used to show the artist and song (or whatever), but now is just a black screen. Everything else works. Navigation shows, fuel economy screen shows, but not USB music. When I switch to the main screen, it shows fuel economy and the other thing, but is blank on the right half of the screen. The music still plays fine, but when I try to use the steering wheel buttons to switch song, nothing happens. Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[CharlieS]

I've never experienced this on mine, but it might help if you shared your year and model. There are different infotainment units in different years, LC vs LX, and some premium options (Mark Levinson?) that might matter to people trying to help you.

 

[JackNightandDay]

Got it. That makes sense. Thanks. It's a 2016 Land Cruiser and I'm using an iPhone X on iOS 13.6.

 

[KLF]

And to be clear, you're connecting your phone via the USB port, not bluetooth? What app is running on the phone to play the music? Local stored music files, or streaming from a service?

 

[JackNightandDay]

And to be clear, you're connecting your phone via the USB port, not bluetooth? What app is running on the phone to play the music? Local stored music files, or streaming from a service?

Yes- USB, not Bluetooth. Spotify streaming, although some of the songs are stored on the device.

 

[Bighead]

Sounds similar to what I had been seeing. Does everything work and display normally if you run Spotify through BT?

Not sure if it was dumb luck on my part or what but disconnecting and reconnecting my iPhone Xs vehicle BT connection fixed my issue.

 

[brasskey]

Got it. That makes sense. Thanks. It's a 2016 Land Cruiser and I'm using an iPhone X on iOS 13.6.

For what it's worth, my 2016 LC does the same thing with my iPhone X (also 13.6). It used to work fine via USB (display artwork, song name, band, etc.), but went to a blank screen when connected may be a few years ago. The LC recognizes my phone via USB when you look at sources, but I get the same thing as you. Not sure if it's on the iPhone end or the LC. But, I haven't spent much time looking into it as the Bluetooth connection works fine (displays artwork, song, band, etc.). If you find anything out, let me know.

 

[KLF]

I have a Google Pixel (Android), and the behavior depends on the app I'm using. If I use Poweramp, it sends album art, title, artist, etc to the screen. But now that I'm using Amazon for music, I get nada, just the music. Steering wheel controls work fine. I'm connecting via BT.

 

[JackNightandDay]

Sounds similar to what I had been seeing. Does everything work and display normally if you run Spotify through BT?

Not sure if it was dumb luck on my part or what but disconnecting and reconnecting my iPhone Xs vehicle BT connection fixed my issue.

I tried that. No luck.

 

[JackNightandDay]

For what it's worth, my 2016 LC does the same thing with my iPhone X (also 13.6). It used to work fine via USB (display artwork, song name, band, etc.), but went to a blank screen when connected may be a few years ago. The LC recognizes my phone via USB when you look at sources, but I get the same thing as you. Not sure if it's on the iPhone end or the LC. But, I haven't spent much time looking into it as the Bluetooth connection works fine (displays artwork, song, band, etc.). If you find anything out, let me know.

Same. It recognizes it, but doesn't show anything after that. I would guess it's the LC since everything on the phone looks normal. I'm don't know, though. I'll definitely let you know.

 

[JackNightandDay]

I have a Google Pixel (Android), and the behavior depends on the app I'm using. If I use Poweramp, it sends album art, title, artist, etc to the screen. But now that I'm using Amazon for music, I get nada, just the music. Steering wheel controls work fine. I'm connecting via BT.

Hmm. This is tricky. I could use BT, but it's nice to have everything functioning.

 

[KLF]

Hmm. This is tricky. I could use BT, but it's nice to have everything functioning.

There are tradeoffs no matter which method you use. BT is more convenient, but not as reliable and the sound quality is not nearly as good (depending on how good your source music is).

 

[LBridges]

OP, have you tried a USB memory stick loaded up with a few MP3 files?

If that plays ok and the steering wheel buttons work, then my 1st guess would the presence (or lack thereof) of a phone or app update.
Next guess would be cable related - has it been changed or anything happen to it (like being pinched)?

 

[CharlieS]

FWIW, my 2013 (older than yours, obviously) needs to be on the iPod menu to play music. I get a chuckle out of that every time I see it. I can't remember last time I had an iPod. Maybe 2013.... lol

 

[JackNightandDay]

There are tradeoffs no matter which method you use. BT is more convenient, but not as reliable and the sound quality is not nearly as good (depending on how good your source music is).

That's true.

OP, have you tried a USB memory stick loaded up with a few MP3 files?

If that plays ok and the steering wheel buttons work, then my 1st guess would the presence (or lack thereof) of a phone or app update.
Next guess would be cable related - has it been changed or anything happen to it (like being pinched)?

No. I'll try that. Good call- I'll update Spotify right now. That's possible. I've had cable troubles in the past.

 

[JackNightandDay]

FWIW, my 2013 (older than yours, obviously) needs to be on the iPod menu to play music. I get a chuckle out of that every time I see it. I can't remember last time I had an iPod. Maybe 2013.... lol

Hmm. I'll try that, too.

 

[chemguys]

Have same issue on my '16 if I'm running Waze at the same time. A disconnect of the USB cable and reconnect seems to solve the issue most of the time.