How to Fix Android Auto Stuck on Preparing or Loading

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 gets stuck on a screen that says preparing, loading, starting, or connecting. The phone may appear to connect to the car, but Android Auto never fully opens on the infotainment screen.

This problem can happen after an app update, phone update, car software change, failed setup, weak USB connection, wireless pairing issue, or blocked app permission.

Solution

Restart your phone and car, check the USB or wireless connection, update Android Auto and Google apps, clear the Android Auto cache, then remove and reconnect the car if the loading screen continues.

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 powers down.

Wait briefly.

Start the car again.

Reconnect Android Auto and check whether it loads normally.

Unlock your phone during connection

Unlock your phone before connecting it to the car.

Keep the phone screen visible during the first connection attempt.

Look for permission prompts or setup messages.

Approve anything related to Android Auto, Google, Bluetooth, location, calls, messages, contacts, or notifications.

If Android Auto is waiting for permission on the phone, the car screen may stay stuck on preparing or loading.

Check the USB cable for wired Android Auto

If you are using wired Android Auto, replace the USB cable as an early test.

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

Avoid:

• Charging only cables
• Damaged cables
• Loose cables
• Long cables
• USB hubs
• Extension leads
• Unreliable adapters

A weak cable may connect enough to charge the phone but not enough to load Android Auto fully.

Use the correct USB port

Some car USB ports are only for charging.

Use the port intended for Android Auto or smartphone projection.

Look for a phone, data, or USB symbol.

If the car has more than one front USB port, test each one while parked.

Do not use rear charging ports unless the manual confirms they support Android Auto.

Check Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for wireless Android Auto

Wireless Android Auto needs Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

On your phone, turn both on.

Remove old or duplicate car Bluetooth pairings.

Delete the phone from the car’s connected devices list.

Restart both systems.

Pair the phone and car again.

If wireless Android Auto still stays on preparing, try wired Android Auto if your car supports it.

Update Android Auto and Google apps

Open the Google Play Store.

Update:

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

Restart the phone after updating.

Android Auto can get stuck loading when one of the required Google services is outdated or not working correctly.

Check Android system updates

Open Settings on your phone.

Go to System or Software update.

Install any available update.

Restart your phone after the update finishes.

If the problem started after a phone update, updating Android Auto and Google Play services afterwards can often fix compatibility issues.

Clear the Android Auto cache

Open Settings on your phone.

Go to Apps.

Find Android Auto.

Open Storage.

Select Clear cache.

Restart your phone.

Reconnect Android Auto.

Clearing the cache can fix loading loops without fully resetting your Android Auto setup.

Clear cache for Google and Google Play services

If Android Auto still gets stuck, clear the cache for supporting Google apps.

Open Settings.

Go to Apps.

Find Google.

Open Storage and select Clear cache.

Then do the same for Google Play services if the option is available.

Restart your phone before trying again.

Check Android Auto permissions

Open Settings on your phone.

Go to Apps.

Find Android Auto.

Open Permissions.

Allow the permissions Android Auto needs.

These may include:

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

Permission names vary depending on the Android version and phone brand.

Turn off battery saver

Battery saver can interfere with Android Auto while it is trying to start.

Open Settings on your phone.

Go to Battery.

Turn off battery saver or power saving mode.

Then check battery settings for Android Auto, Google, Google Maps, and Google Play services.

Set them to unrestricted or not optimised if available.

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.

Remove any duplicate entries as well.

Restart the phone.

Connect to the car again and approve all prompts.

Remove the phone from the car

Open the car infotainment settings.

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

Delete your phone from the car.

Restart the car system.

Pair the phone again.

This helps when the car is stuck trying to use an old or corrupted connection profile.

Test with another phone

If Android Auto still gets stuck on preparing or loading, test another compatible Android phone.

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

If another phone also gets stuck, the car infotainment system, USB port, or wireless Android Auto feature may be the cause.

Optional methods or tools

• Use a different USB data cable for wired Android Auto
• Try wired Android Auto if wireless setup keeps loading
• Clear Android Auto, Google, and Google Play services cache
• Update your car infotainment software if available
• Remove old Bluetooth and Android Auto pairings before reconnecting
• Test another Android phone to isolate the issue

Best practices or tips

• Keep your phone unlocked during first time setup
• Approve all Android Auto prompts before driving
• Keep Android Auto and Google services updated
• Use a reliable USB data cable for wired Android Auto
• Remove duplicate car connections if Android Auto behaves strangely

Android Auto getting stuck on preparing or loading usually means the phone and car have started the connection but cannot finish it. The cause is often a permission prompt, weak cable, outdated app, wireless pairing fault, or old connection profile.

The most reliable fix is to restart both systems, update the required apps, clear the Android Auto cache, and reconnect the car from scratch. If Android Auto still will not load after testing another phone, the car’s infotainment system or USB connection may need further attention.