Ford Sync Bluetooth Not Turning On? Try These 17 Fixes

If you own a Ford vehicle with the Sync technology and you’re experiencing Bluetooth issues, you’re not alone. Many drivers of Ford models such as Fusion, Focus, Transit, F150, Edge, Expedition, Taurus, Ecosport, and Escape encounter problems with the Ford Sync Bluetooth connection. But don’t worry, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve these issues and get your Bluetooth working again.

Why Isn’t My Ford Sync Bluetooth Working?

There are several potential reasons why your Ford Sync Bluetooth may not be working. Let’s explore some of the common issues and their solutions:

1. Fuse Issue

If your Sync Bluetooth music suddenly stops working, there might be a problem with the Sync Bluetooth Fuse. To fix this issue, you can try the following steps:

• Refer to your vehicle’s manual to locate the passenger compartment fuse box.
• Find the fuse associated with Sync Bluetooth and remove it.
• Wait for 10 seconds to a minute, then reinsert the fuse.
• Check if the Sync issue is resolved.

2. Possible Cell Phone Malfunction

Sometimes, a glitch or bug in your cell phone’s software can prevent it from connecting to your Ford Sync via Bluetooth. To troubleshoot this, you can:

• Force stop the Spotify app or any other app that may be causing issues.
• Clear Spotify’s cache and data.
• Restart your device and try connecting to Ford Sync again.

3. The Device is Not Connected

Ensure that your phone is connected to the Ford Sync through Bluetooth. Follow these steps:

• Turn on Bluetooth on your phone and ensure it is discoverable.
• On your Ford Sync, navigate to System Settings > Bluetooth Devices and turn Bluetooth on.
• Manually connect your phone to Ford Sync by selecting your phone’s name in the Bluetooth Devices menu.

4. The File May Be Corrupted

If the audio file you’re trying to play is corrupted, it may cause Bluetooth problems on your Ford Sync. Consider the following steps:

• Play music from certified sources like Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Music.
• Check if the downloaded music files on your device are playable.
• Avoid using converted files from YouTube, as they may be corrupt.

5. The Bluetooth Volume on the Phone May Be Low

Ensure that the volume on your Ford Sync and your device is turned up. Try these steps:

• Use the volume knobs on your Ford vehicle and the volume buttons on your phone to increase the volume.
• Check if increasing the volume resolves the Bluetooth issue.

6. Song is Not Playing

If a specific song is not playing on your Ford Sync, make sure you have selected and played the song on your device. Follow these steps:

• Ensure that the song is selected and clicked on the play button.
• Check if the song plays successfully on your device.

7. Your music files may not contain the correct information

If your Ford Sync isn’t recognizing the audio on your device, it may be due to incorrect artist, song title, album, or genre information. To troubleshoot this, try the following:

• Ensure that your music files contain the correct metadata information.
• Play music from certified apps like Spotify or Apple Music to avoid metadata issues.

8. The Song May Have Copyright Protection

If the song you’re trying to play has copyright protection, it may not play on your Ford Sync. Follow these steps:

• Check the source of the song you’re playing for copyright protection.
• Avoid using apps like Soundcloud that have copyright restrictions on certain songs.

9. Your Phone Isn’t Compatible

Ensure that your phone is compatible with Ford Sync. Consider these steps:

• Check if your phone has Bluetooth capabilities.
• Ensure that your phone’s Bluetooth is turned on and discoverable.
• If your phone is an older model without Bluetooth, it may not be compatible with Ford Sync.

How to Fix Ford Sync Bluetooth Issues

Now that you’ve identified the possible causes of your Ford Sync Bluetooth issues, let’s explore the solutions. Follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the problem:

1. Pull Fuse Associated to Sync Bluetooth

If you suspect a fuse issue, try the following steps:

1. Refer to your vehicle’s manual to locate the passenger compartment fuse box.
2. Find the fuse associated with Sync Bluetooth and remove it.
3. Wait for 10 seconds to a minute, then reinsert the fuse.
4. Check if the Sync issue is resolved.

2. Perform a Master Reset of the Ford Sync System

If Sync is still not working, you can perform a master reset to clear any bugs or glitches. Here’s how:

1. Open Bluetooth settings on your phone and delete SYNC.
2. On the SYNC screen, press the “Phone” button, then navigate to “Advanced” and select “Master Reset.”
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the master reset.

3. Reset Connection in Sync

Resetting the connection in Sync can help resolve Bluetooth issues. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone and on SYNC.
2. Manually connect SYNC with your phone by navigating to System Settings > Connect Bluetooth Device.
3. Manually connect your phone with SYNC by going to Bluetooth settings on your phone.
4. Wait for the devices to connect automatically.

4. Check the Security and Auto Accept Prompt on Your Device

Ensure that you have accepted the security prompt on your device for the Bluetooth connection. Follow these steps:

1. Unlock your device and check for any security or auto-accept prompts.
2. Accept the prompts or enter your passcode to establish the Bluetooth connection.

5. Turn Off Your Ford Vehicle

Sometimes, turning off your Ford vehicle can help resolve Bluetooth connection issues. Follow these steps:

1. Shut off your Ford vehicle entirely.
2. Open and close the driver’s side door to trigger SYNC to shut down.
3. Wait for SYNC to shut down completely.
4. Start your Ford vehicle again and check if the Bluetooth connection is working.

6. “Forget” Your Ford Vehicle

If your Ford and device do not sync, try “forgetting” your car on your device’s Bluetooth settings. Here’s how:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Navigate to Bluetooth settings and find your car listed as a linked device.
3. Select your car and choose the “Forget” option.
4. Turn off Bluetooth on your device, then turn it back on.
5. On the SYNC screen, select “Add a Device” and follow the on-screen instructions to reconnect.

7. Spotify Refusing to Work

If Spotify is not working properly with Ford Sync, try these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your device.
2. Go to the Apps section and find Spotify.
3. Force stop Spotify and clear its cache and data.
4. Try playing Spotify again and check if it works with Ford Sync.

8. Try Switching Off Your Device

Restarting your device can help resolve Bluetooth connection issues. Follow these steps:

1. Turn off your device completely.
2. Wait for a few seconds, then turn it back on.
3. Try connecting to Ford Sync and check if the Bluetooth issue is resolved.

9. Force Restart Your Device

If you’re still experiencing Bluetooth problems, force restart your device to eliminate any glitches. Follow these steps:

1. Force restart an iPhone: Press and release the volume up button, then press and release the volume down button. Finally, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
2. Force restart an Android device: Simultaneously press and hold the power and volume down buttons for more than seven seconds.

10. Update Your Software

Keeping your device’s software up to date can help resolve Bluetooth issues. Follow these steps:

• For Android: Go to Settings > About Phone > Check for System Updates.
• For iPhone: Plug your device into power, connect to Wi-Fi, and go to Settings > General > Software Update.

11. Reset Network Settings

Resetting your network settings can help resolve Bluetooth issues. Follow these steps:

• For iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
• For Android: Go to Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.

12. Try Replacing the Corrupt File with a New Version

If a file you’re trying to play is corrupt, replace it with a new version or try playing a different file. This can help resolve Bluetooth issues.

13. Ensure Proper Temperature Conditions

Extreme temperatures can affect the performance of your device. Avoid leaving your device in very hot or cold temperatures, as it may cause malfunctions when connecting to Ford Sync.

14. Check Your Phone’s Compatibility

Ensure that your phone is compatible with Ford Sync. Check if your phone has Bluetooth capabilities and if it is listed as a compatible device in Ford’s guidelines.

15. Update Ford Sync

Keep your Ford Sync software up to date to ensure compatibility with your device. Check for updates through the Ford Update Sync help page or connect your Ford to a Wi-Fi network for over-the-air updates.

16. Factory Reset

If none of the previous steps work, you can try a factory reset to restore your device to its default settings. Note that this will erase all data on your device, so make sure to back up your important information beforehand.

17. Get in Touch with Ford

If all else fails, it may be helpful to contact Ford or a local mechanic with experience in dealing with Ford Sync issues. They can provide professional assistance and guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Conclusion

Bluetooth issues with Ford Sync can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve them and get your Bluetooth connection working again. Try the solutions outlined in this article, and if needed, reach out to Ford or a professional for further assistance. Enjoy a seamless Bluetooth experience with your Ford vehicle!