You’re trying to connect to your Honda vehicle through the HondaLink app. But it doesn’t connect your smartphone to your car. What could be the problem? We researched this concern for your convenience, and here’s what we found.
The HondaLink app on your smartphone doesn't connect with your Honda vehicle because of an underlying issue. Some possible reasons include:
- HondaLink app glitch
- Active VPN
- Device incompatibility
- Smartphone component failure
Keep reading as we talk about the possible reasons why your HondaLink app refuses to connect. We’ll also tackle some potential solutions that may help you in restoring the connection between your smartphone and your Honda vehicle.
4 Reasons Why HondaLink Isn’t Connecting
HondaLink App Glitch
A smartphone app, including the HondaLink application, may run into software problems that may prevent you from using it. The issue may arise from different sources, such as an update or phone incompatibility.
Active VPN
VPN stands for “Virtual Private Network,” and it works by masking your online connection to make it private. But this additional connection may interfere with the HondaLink app attempting to connect to the vehicle’s infotainment system.
Device Incompatibility
App developers may roll out updates to their smartphone apps to help increase compatibility with the vast range of mobile devices available. But this compatibility isn't infinite, which may mean that the developers may decide that the app no longer works with old smartphones.
At the time of writing, HondaLink was compatible with many smartphones using the Android and Apple iOS operating systems. However, the app may not be compatible with older versions of these mobile environments.
Smartphone Component Failure
You should be able to connect your smartphone to your Honda vehicle through the HondaLink app by using a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. But if the app says that it fails to connect your phone to the car's infotainment system, the application may not be at fault.
Instead, the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi module in your phone might be bad. You can check if these components are faulty by using other applications that use these connections for wireless connectivity.
How Do I Update HondaLink?
Before updating the HondaLink app on your smartphone, take note of the following points to avoid issues after the upgrade:
- Some Honda vehicles, such as the 2018 Accord and 2019 Insight, may encounter a rear backup camera glitch after updating the HondaLink app.
- Certain features may no longer be available after the update, such as 3G connectivity.
- Services like the “Security and Concierge” may no longer be active and the car manufacturer might cancel its users’ ongoing subscriptions.
- Keep the Honda vehicle’s engine running on idle until the update completes.
- Don't turn off the engine while the update is running, or it might bring about errors and glitches in the system.
Follow these steps to update the HondaLink app on your smartphone and Honda vehicle:
Step-By-Step Guide
- Update the HondaLink app on your phone through the Google Play Store (for Android devices) or the App Store (for iOS devices).
- Start the engine of your Honda and connect the infotainment system to the internet.
- Go to the “Home” screen on your Honda’s head unit and select “System Updates.”
- In the next menu, choose “via Wireless.”
- Confirm the selection and wait for the update to complete.
- Once finished, select “Install Now.”
- Wait for the installation to complete and test if you can now connect your smartphone to the vehicle through the HondaLink app.
How To Turn Off VPN On A Smartphone
If you’re using a third-party VPN service on your smartphone, you may turn off the connection by accessing that app and deactivating the feature. The exact steps for turning off the VPN from a dedicated app often depend on the application's user interface.
Some phones may have VPN services built into their default mobile user environment. Follow these general steps to find and deactivate your smartphone’s VPN depending on its operating system:
Steps To Turn Off VPN On iOS
- Tap “Settings,” then select “General.”
- On the new menu, tap “VPN.”
- Toggle the VPN service to its off position.
Steps To Turn Off VPN On Android
- Navigate to your phone’s “Settings” menu.
- Select “Network & Internet.”
- Turn off the VPN service in the menu that appears.
After deactivating the VPN on your smartphone, try to connect your mobile device to your Honda vehicle through the HondaLink app again. If no other issue exists, the application should now allow you to complete a connection to the vehicle's infotainment system without additional interference.
How Much Does It Cost To Fix An iPhone Not Connecting To Wi-Fi?
If your troubleshooting efforts lead you to a worn Wi-Fi antenna in your iPhone, you may need to spend about $119 to replace the device’s wireless component.
But you may ask the technicians at your local Apple store to check if they can replace the Wi-Fi antenna for free, particularly if your phone is still under warranty.
If you need to pay for the replacement service, the price may vary depending on your specific iPhone model. After having your iPhone’s Wi-Fi component replaced, you can try reconnecting the mobile device to your Honda vehicle through the HondaLink app.
Does HondaLink Still Work?
HondaLink’s services, along with its Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity, might no longer work if the system doesn’t have the latest update after August 22, 2022.
The car manufacturer also reminds its users that the app’s Automatic Collision Notification may cease working if the HondaLink app isn’t using the latest update by February 22, 2022.
How Do I Reset My Honda Head Unit?
Resetting your Honda’s head unit may also restore its connection with your smartphone. Each Honda vehicle infotainment system resetting procedure often requires different steps. Continue reading to learn how to reset the head unit on Honda Connect models from 2017 to 2022:
Step-By-Step Guide
- Tap "Settings" on the display's "Home" screen.
- Select “System” on the menu that pops up.
- Scroll down to the bottom and select “Factory Data Reset.”
- Press “Yes” to confirm the selection and wait for the infotainment system to reboot.
- Hold the “Audio” button on the head unit to turn off the Anti-Theft system that appears.
- Tinker with the head unit’s features to check for existing anomalies.
- Try to connect your smartphone to the infotainment system with the HondaLink app and check if it’s successful.
Note: Resetting your Honda’s head unit will delete all of its stored data, including the list of paired phones. So you may need to pair your phones again with the infotainment after the resetting operation completes.
Don’t try to reset your Honda’s head unit while driving. Make sure to park the vehicle at a safe site before attempting this procedure to avoid on-road distractions.
You can also watch the video below if you need a visual guide to the procedure:
What Cars Are Compatible With HondaLink?
If you can't connect HondaLink to your Honda, it's possible that the car’s infotainment system isn’t compatible with the app. Bear in mind that HondaLink is only compatible with select Honda vehicles like:
- Honda Accord
- Honda Civic
- Honda CR-V
- Honda HR-V
- Honda Fit
- Honda Ridgeline
What Aftermarket Head Unit Is Best For Honda?
You may replace your Honda’s head unit with an aftermarket model if you want to ensure optimal compatibility of the infotainment system with your smartphone. But it’s important to note that one aftermarket head unit can’t supply all the benefits to every user.
Nonetheless, certain automotive touch screen displays can outperform their competitors. One ideal example is the ViaBecs Android touch screen display and stereo for the Honda Civic.
Although this head unit may not work with HondaLink, users can still take advantage of a plethora of features through their smartphones. You can also connect to this infotainment system through either Android Auto or Apple Carplay, depending on the mobile operating system you’re using.
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Final Thoughts
Remember to check the app, the vehicle’s head unit, and your smartphone for the reason why the HondaLink app won’t connect to your Honda.
Once you find the main cause of the problem, you can try using a DIY fix to remedy the issue. Otherwise, you can contact a professional repair service.
If you’re looking for answers to other Honda vehicle concerns, check out these other great reads:
How To Unlock Honda Odyssey Door Without A Key [What To Do If You Are Locked Out!]