Driving around Ford F-150 while listening to its bass-heavy stereo is the best. However, you should stop and check if the radio keeps crashing and you are unable to listen to your favorite music or podcasts.
This article will examine some potential problems with a Ford F150 radio. We will give you detailed instructions on how to repair your radio and restore it to its former glory once we understand what is wrong.
Why doesn’t the radio of your Ford F-150 work?
The radio in your Ford F-150 could be faulty for the following four reasons.
blown fuses
solder flux
frozen screen
dead radio
Learn more about each of these issues and how they contribute to a malfunction in your Ford F-150 radio.
blown fuses
One or more blown fuses could be the reason why the Ford F150 radio is not working. Use a voltmeter or check for blown fuses to check the power status of your radio.
Also, a short in the internal wires of your F150’s audio system could prevent it from working and the system could deteriorate if you ignore the problem.
solder flux
If the radio in your Ford F150 suddenly stops working but starts working again quickly, solder flux could be a problem.
The most typical approach, in this case, is to remove the radio, fix any minor issues, and reinsert it.
However, the radio will stop working again after a while. Read on to understand how you can fix this problem.
frozen radio
A frozen radio will have a completely dark screen and inoperative controls. The problem exists on some Ford vehicles, especially the 2009 Ford F150 grades.
When the screen on your F-150 radio freezes, the radio may slow down or stop working altogether.
Your F150’s screen could stop for no apparent reason, requiring a restart or update.
dead radio
What if all of the above issues are different from the cause of your Ford F-150 radio not working? The audio systems in Ford F150s work well but break down sooner than expected if misused or overused.
The only way to fix a dead radio is to replace it. You can buy a new factory audio unit or a great aftermarket device from a trusted retailer.
Potential Solutions for a Ford F-150 Radio That Doesn’t Work Right
It’s time to figure out how to solve the problem now that you know the cause of your F-150 radio not working properly. Here are some of the actions you should take to fix the problem:
Repair blown fuses
The only way to repair a blown or damaged fuse is to replace it. First, locate the fuse box in your Ford F150, which can be challenging, depending on your car model. you
The fuse box is often located in or under the hood of the vehicle. Consult your Ford owner’s manual if you need clarification on the exact location of the fuse box.
Be on the lookout for a box with a bent lid. Locate the blown fuse after locating the fuse box. It will appear dark and split in half.
Remove the faulty fuse and replace it with a new one to solve the problem with your Ford radio not working. Remember to turn off your truck before removing or replacing the fuse.
Troubleshoot Solder Flux
Solder is used to join metals that do not melt quickly. Insufficient solder flux commonly causes slight wear on the inside of Ford audio system components. The easiest solution to this problem is the following.
Uninstall the radio and remove its main board.
Place the board on cardboard and place in an oven.
Heat oven to 385°F.
Remove the board after 6-8 minutes and allow it to cool naturally in the air.
Reassemble and reinstall the Ford F150 radio in the vehicle.
This simple modification will improve solder flow and repair any minor cracks. The entire radio system will malfunction if you try to remove the motherboard while it is still hot.
Unfreeze a frozen screen
A frozen screen is one of the easier issues to tackle on a Ford F150. Here’s how to get your screen working again.
Simultaneously press the right search button and the power button.
Hold down these buttons for 10-15 seconds.
The screen will turn off and restart.
Wait until the screen returns to its previous state. This should solve the problem with the screen frozen and not responding to commands. If this does not solve the problem, you should seek the help of an expert.
Removing a dead F-150 stereo
Removing and replacing a dead F-150 radio is the last resort in repairing a faulty Ford F-150 stereo.
Here is how to do it.
You need to loosen up a handful of items around the center audio system. The first is the screen right behind the wheel of the car.
Remove the top of the dash radio console by unscrewing the 7mm screws hidden under the cover.
Use a scraper to remove the clips from the audio system after removing the side pieces.
Remove the panel under the sound system, plus the USB and auxiliary cables.
Remove the radio from the console.
Remove the radio box from behind the control panel by removing the screws that hold the metal box together.
Remove the factory installed USB and Aux cables because you will be connecting a new radio with all the necessary cables and connectors.
Consider changing the sound system package for your Ford F150 as well. Use the instructions included with the replacement kit to disassemble the audio controls and install the new ones.
Put your radio back in the car after connecting the auxiliary and USB connections. Be sure to test the audio system before installing the control panel.
Where is the fuse for the radio in a Ford F-150?
The radio fuse is located in a different location on various Ford F-150 models. On some models, you need to check the engine room fuse box and passenger seat. You should also check the amplifier fuse, separate from the radio fuse on some F-150 models.
Radio fuse locations on various Ford F-150 models are as follows.
Fuse box near the bottom of the dash
The fuse box on 1992 to 2003 Ford models is under the dash. For models from 1992 to 2003, use fuse number 11; For 1997 thru 2003 models, use fuse number 15.
Fuse box on the front passenger side
The fuses on all other post-2003 Ford F-150 models are on the front passenger side. From 2004 to 2008, the radio power supply fuse was number 31. Fuse number 7 also protects the radio starter circuit, and fuse number 4 protects the DVD power circuit.
Look for fuses numbered 39 and 28 for 2009 through 2014 models. Check fuses numbered 33 and 14 for 2015 through 2020 models.
For 2021 to 2022, fuse number 28 controls electricity to the amplifier, while fuse number 32 controls the radio.
How do you reset the radio in a Ford F150?
The first thing to try if your Ford F150 radio is frozen is to force a restart. Follow these steps to reset a Ford F-150 stereo effectively.
Simultaneously press the power and right buttons to search for ten to fifteen seconds.
The radio display should flash on and off after this.
If that doesn’t work, turn off the vehicle and remove the key from the ignition.
Remove the negative terminal to remove the battery.
Reconnect the battery after about five minutes.
Start the engine to test the radio after reconnecting the battery. You may need a new radio if it still needs repair.
Ford F-150 Radio Replacement Cost
In a Ford F150, changing the radio is inexpensive and takes one to two hours. Upgrading the audio system of a Ford F150 will cost between €350 and €500. All you need for the job is a complete new audio system and basic equipment like a screwdriver, scraper, and cutter.
Frequent questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about why your Ford F150 radio is not working.
Why did my Ford’s screen go black?
Your Ford’s screen could have gone dark for a number of reasons. Examples include outdated software, software glitches, and faulty components.
How do you defrost a Ford radio?
You can easily unfreeze a frozen Ford F-150 radio by power cycling your device, resetting everything to factory defaults, or replacing any damaged components.
Why is my Ford Sync not working?
Outdated software, defects and malfunctions, cable issues, APIM or FDIM issues, and damaged console displays are some of the most common Ford Sync issues.
Conclusion
It can be unpleasant if you cannot play music on the radio in your Ford F150. It is challenging to listen to music and sync your smart devices with your Ford F150 if the radio is not working.
Despite the excellent design of audio systems, they do occasionally experience sudden freezes.
Sometimes a problem is easy to solve; other times, it is impossible. All you need is a little knowledge to find the solution quickly. Use the tips in this article to diagnose the problem with your Ford F-150 audio system.
However, you should be aware of its technical limitations, just like anything related to cars. They are intricate machines, so you never want to mess with them and make things worse. If you’re not sure you can fix something, don’t try it.
