Audio drop outs while using android auto.

[Heliian]

Good day everyone!

I've been having a problem with random audio dropouts ever since the last update in november/December. While listening to Spotify, the audio would just cut out seemingly randomly and some days would be more frequent than others. The only way to get audio back was to disconnect and reconnect AA. I tried everything on the phone end and sync end that I could but no luck fixing the problem. Today was really bad, dropping audio every track almost. I installed carstream on my phone and it too had audio dropouts.

After several weeks I figured that the dropout frequency was corresponding to times of the day when network traffic might be higher. My idea was to turn off connected services in the truck. Well, wouldn't you know it, after I turned off connected services today, the audio dropouts stopped completely.
Problem solved! But I don't have connected services enabled which is not how the truck is supposed to work.
I mentioned this problem to the dealer at my last service but they had no idea and thought maybe another update would fix it. I will be calling them next week with my temporary solution and escalating the connectivity problem with Ford.
I haven't heard of anyone else with this issue, if you have had similar problems, please chime in.

Tldr; audio dropouts fixed by turning off connected services.

Mods: I was unsure which category to post in, please move as you see fit.

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[MichaelCA]

This seems to be different than the Carplay disconnects. Those happen at specific areas where there seems to radio interference of some sort. Its always the same location.

 

[Vito]

Good day everyone!

I've been having a problem with random audio dropouts ever since the last update in november/December. While listening to Spotify, the audio would just cut out seemingly randomly and some days would be more frequent than others. The only way to get audio back was to disconnect and reconnect AA. I tried everything on the phone end and sync end that I could but no luck fixing the problem. Today was really bad, dropping audio every track almost. I installed carstream on my phone and it too had audio dropouts.

After several weeks I figured that the dropout frequency was corresponding to times of the day when network traffic might be higher. My idea was to turn off connected services in the truck. Well, wouldn't you know it, after I turned off connected services today, the audio dropouts stopped completely.
Problem solved! But I don't have connected services enabled which is not how the truck is supposed to work.
I mentioned this problem to the dealer at my last service but they had no idea and thought maybe another update would fix it. I will be calling them next week with my temporary solution and escalating the connectivity problem with Ford.
I haven't heard of anyone else with this issue, if you have had similar problems, please chime in.

Tldr; audio dropouts fixed by turning off connected services.

Mods: I was unsure which category to post in, please move as you see fit.

Hi there, when you lose your AA audio stream do you also lose AA Google Maps display as well? There are a ton of Lightning owners, including me, that are having AA disconnections which are often/random/and persistent and no resolution in sight from Ford. My Samsung S23Ultra connects flawlessly at first without any issues but it NEVER can stay connected for more than anywhere 5-30 minutes, I am constantly unpairing/pairing the phone to the truck, I've factory reset my phone, wiped cache in AA and the phone, and on and on, but no luck so far, which is infuriating since I depend on AA for nearly everything...com on @Ford Motor Company , help the thousands of Lightning owners who use AA and need this to be resolved at some point....oh, btw, the dealer are clueless about AA and nearly ALL aspects of F150 Lightning...sad

 

[Heliian]

do you also lose AA Google Maps display as well?

Not sure, I'm usually on Waze if anything.
The problem still persists from time to time and I haven't found a solid fix. I have to use the USB for AA as if I connect via WiFi my Spotify thinks it's offline.
It could be my phone, it could be AA, it could be Ford, I'm not changing either anytime soon so my fix is just unplug/plug the USB on the truck side.

 

[Vito]

Not sure, I'm usually on Waze if anything.
The problem still persists from time to time and I haven't found a solid fix. I have to use the USB for AA as if I connect via WiFi my Spotify thinks it's offline.
It could be my phone, it could be AA, it could be Ford, I'm not changing either anytime soon so my fix is just unplug/plug the USB on the truck side.

Yup, it's the same disconnection issue that so many have been having for over a year, Ford's Bluetooth module keeps having kernel panics when connected to AA, but after dropping AA the Bluetooth connection for audio and calls remains intact, which is proof that it has nothing to do with the phone or AA. Ford's Sync4A is based on Debian Linux, which explains the wireless connectivity issues.....Ford should transition to Android Automotive operating system and that would resolve this issue and maintain Apple Car play functionality as well....until then no AA with Google Maps on a $70K+ truck that advertised WIRELESS AA

 

[PAndaemonium]

I got the same issue with CarPlay. Pandora just stops playing and can’t get it to work without restarting the truck

 

[ktom]

I have had issues with AA in which it will stop producing sound as well. For me it only occurs when the Spotify song changes. I don't know if I let it go, whether it would ever turn back on at the next song or not.

I used to reset the panel with the buttons on the steering wheel but there is a faster way.

I now switch to FM, which always works, the switch back to Android. You have to push the play button on Spotify once you have switched back. This is a few more presses on the screen but it resolves the issue quicker.

This is the only issue I have with AA.

 

[PrimeRisk]

I have had issues with AA in which it will stop producing sound as well. For me it only occurs when the Spotify song changes. I don't know if I let it go, whether it would ever turn back on at the next song or not.

I used to reset the panel with the buttons on the steering wheel but there is a faster way.

I now switch to FM, which always works, the switch back to Android. You have to push the play button on Spotify once you have switched back. This is a few more presses on the screen but it resolves the issue quicker.

This is the only issue I have with AA.

Are you using Android Auto wirelessly or plugged in? I had an issue with dropouts wirelessly on occasion where my phone was connected to the WiFi, but would put up a prompt saying that internet was not available on the WiFi connection and asking if I wanted to remain connected. I watched it, and if I didn't respond to the prompt, I'd get an audio dropout for about 5 seconds and the phone reconnected to the WiFi and continued playing. The next time it came up I selected Do Not Ask Me Again and tapped on Yes. I haven't had an issue since.

 

[ktom]

I am always connected wirelessly with AA. The audio stops, always, when the song changes.

There are times when it disconnects and it pops up the notification window. Of course, the AA screen disappears. Which means the audio and directions, if I am using maps, stop. This failure mode is not the mode in which changing to FM has any effect.

I have also found that these type of disconnects will happen in the same place on certain roads. These regular disconnects seem to resolve after a few weeks.

I haven't had any form or pop up, in/on the truck screen, that gave me an option for 'do not ask again'.

 

[JvdMaat]

Hi, I'm trying to figure out if I have a similar issue. Trying to narrow down if it's an app issue or Ford/AA issue. I listen to audiobooks through Audiobookshelf in Android Auto. And every 10-30 minutes or so the app says it is still playing, but audio no longer comes out of the speakers. Android Auto itself seems to continue working just fine (Waze remains active. Even Audiobookshelf shows it is active and playing the audio book)
Switching to a different app (Spotify for example) is the same. Says it's playing, but no audio comes out. I can switch to radio (Sirius/AM/FM), and that works fine. But I have no idea how to switch audio source back to AA after that. (My Honda Insight lets me choose audio source, so it's easy to switch to Sirius, and then back to AA. Does Ford have a similar audio source option? (Aside from the AM/FM/Sirius buttons in the radio app))
My "fix" is to go to the settings, disconnect Android Auto on my phone's connections, and then re-select AA, and that magically fixes it.

 

[Early777]

I was having the same issues 2023 lightning lariat. Even my phone as a key would stop working. Being an android guy all my life because apple devices represented “the man”. My daughter was an iPhone person and raved about her iPhone. I got fed up and switched. iPhone 15. The damn thing just works…..always. I probably will never return to android.

 

[Henry Ford]

Hi, I'm trying to figure out if I have a similar issue. Trying to narrow down if it's an app issue or Ford/AA issue. I listen to audiobooks through Audiobookshelf in Android Auto. And every 10-30 minutes or so the app says it is still playing, but audio no longer comes out of the speakers. Android Auto itself seems to continue working just fine (Waze remains active. Even Audiobookshelf shows it is active and playing the audio book)
Switching to a different app (Spotify for example) is the same. Says it's playing, but no audio comes out. I can switch to radio (Sirius/AM/FM), and that works fine. But I have no idea how to switch audio source back to AA after that. (My Honda Insight lets me choose audio source, so it's easy to switch to Sirius, and then back to AA. Does Ford have a similar audio source option? (Aside from the AM/FM/Sirius buttons in the radio app))
My "fix" is to go to the settings, disconnect Android Auto on my phone's connections, and then re-select AA, and that magically fixes it.

When I've experienced a similar issue it's because there is a text message in queue. If I play the text message the audio is available again. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Firn]

Hi, I'm trying to figure out if I have a similar issue. Trying to narrow down if it's an app issue or Ford/AA issue. I listen to audiobooks through Audiobookshelf in Android Auto. And every 10-30 minutes or so the app says it is still playing, but audio no longer comes out of the speakers. Android Auto itself seems to continue working just fine (Waze remains active. Even Audiobookshelf shows it is active and playing the audio book)
Switching to a different app (Spotify for example) is the same. Says it's playing, but no audio comes out. I can switch to radio (Sirius/AM/FM), and that works fine. But I have no idea how to switch audio source back to AA after that. (My Honda Insight lets me choose audio source, so it's easy to switch to Sirius, and then back to AA. Does Ford have a similar audio source option? (Aside from the AM/FM/Sirius buttons in the radio app))
My "fix" is to go to the settings, disconnect Android Auto on my phone's connections, and then re-select AA, and that magically fixes it.

I have similar issues. Mine seems to happen after a number of interrupts for turn notifications from Google maps.

I use wired AA

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