How to Fix Android Auto Saying Communication Error

Applies to
Android Auto, Android phones, wired Android Auto, wireless Android Auto, compatible cars, and compatible infotainment systems

Last updated
10 July 2026

Problem

Android Auto shows a communication error when your phone tries to connect to the car. The message may appear on the phone, the car screen, or both. Android Auto may fail to launch, disconnect immediately, or keep asking you to reconnect.

A communication error usually means the phone and car are not completing the connection properly. This can be caused by a poor USB cable, wireless pairing issue, denied permissions, outdated software, or a temporary fault in the car infotainment system.

Solution

Restart the phone and car system, check the USB cable or wireless connection, update Android Auto and Google apps, then remove and reconnect the car from Android Auto settings.

Step by step instructions

Restart your phone and car system

Disconnect your phone from the car.

Restart your Android phone.

Turn the car off fully.

Open and close the driver door if needed so the infotainment system shuts down.

Wait briefly.

Start the car again.

Reconnect your phone and check whether Android Auto opens without the communication error.

Check the USB cable for wired Android Auto

If you use wired Android Auto, try a different USB cable.

Use a short, good quality cable that supports data transfer.

Avoid:

• Charging only cables
• Damaged cables
• Loose cables
• USB hubs
• Extension leads
• Cheap adapters

A cable can still charge your phone while failing to carry the data needed for Android Auto.

Try the correct USB port

Use the USB port in the car that supports Android Auto or smartphone projection.

Some ports only provide charging.

Look for a port marked with a phone, smartphone, data, or USB symbol.

If you are not sure which port is correct, check the car manual or try each front USB port while parked.

Check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for wireless Android Auto

Wireless Android Auto needs both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

On your phone, turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

Remove old or duplicate car pairings from your phone.

Then remove your phone from the car’s connected devices list.

Restart both systems and pair them again.

Approve all prompts on the phone and car screen.

Unlock your phone and approve prompts

Unlock your phone before connecting.

Watch for prompts asking for Android Auto permissions.

Allow access to features such as:

• Location
• Phone
• Contacts
• Messages
• Notifications
• Microphone
• Bluetooth
• Nearby devices

If you deny or ignore these prompts, Android Auto may show a communication error.

Update Android Auto and Google apps

Open the Google Play Store.

Update:

• Android Auto
• Google
• Google Maps
• Google Play services
• Phone
• Messages
• Your preferred music apps

Restart the phone after updating.

Communication errors can appear when Android Auto or Google services are outdated.

Check phone system updates

Open Settings on your phone.

Go to System or Software update.

Install any available Android system update.

Restart the phone after updating.

If the problem started after a recent phone update, app updates may also be needed to restore compatibility.

Clear the Android Auto cache

Open Settings on your phone.

Go to Apps.

Find Android Auto.

Open Storage.

Select Clear cache.

Restart the phone.

Try Android Auto again.

Avoid clearing storage unless you are prepared to reset Android Auto settings and connected car history.

Remove the car from Android Auto settings

Open Settings on your phone.

Search for Android Auto.

Open Android Auto settings.

Go to Previously connected cars.

Remove your car from the list.

If your car appears more than once, remove all duplicate entries.

Then reconnect Android Auto from the beginning.

Remove the phone from the car

Open the car infotainment settings.

Go to connected devices, Bluetooth, phone projection, or Android Auto settings.

Delete your phone from the car.

If there are several old phones listed, remove any you no longer use.

Restart the car system.

Pair your phone again.

Check the car infotainment system

Some communication errors are caused by the car system rather than the phone.

Check whether the infotainment screen is slow, frozen, or not responding properly.

If your car has a restart option for the infotainment system, use it while parked.

Otherwise, turn the car off fully and allow the system to shut down before trying again.

Test another phone

If the communication error continues, try another compatible Android phone.

If another phone works, the problem is likely with your phone settings, cable, apps, or permissions.

If another phone also fails, the issue may be with the car USB port, wireless system, or infotainment software.

Optional methods or tools

• Use a different USB data cable
• Try wired Android Auto if wireless connection fails
• Try wireless Android Auto if the USB port seems faulty
• Update your car infotainment software if available
• Check the car manual for Android Auto reset or projection settings
• Test another Android phone to confirm whether the issue is phone or car related

Best practices or tips

• Keep Android Auto, Google, Google Maps, and Google Play services updated
• Use a reliable USB data cable for wired Android Auto
• Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled for wireless Android Auto
• Remove old car pairings if Android Auto behaves unpredictably
• Complete setup while parked so you can approve all prompts safely

An Android Auto communication error usually means the phone and car cannot complete the connection. The cause is often simple, such as a weak USB cable, old Bluetooth pairing, denied permission, or outdated Google service.

The best fix is to restart both systems, update the phone apps, remove the old car connection, and pair Android Auto again from the beginning. If the same communication error appears with more than one phone, the car infotainment system or USB port may need further checking.