JBL Head Unit Stops Playing Audio & Freezes Volume Controls

I've been having a problem with my 2020 Taco's JBL stereo system where the sound will randomly stop playing and just the volume controls will freeze -- everything else will still work and the song will still show as playing on the display, but no sound comes out. I find it usually happens when I have the stereo turned up over 40. If I reboot the stereo system, it doesn't fix it; however, if I turn the truck fully off and back on, everything is fine again. Not great for when you're on a long highway drive. Because the issue is fixed by turning the truck off and on, I'm guessing it's a software error and not something like a loose wire or bad fuse. Anyone experience this or have advice on fixes to try? See attached video showing the problem. Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

Same thing just started for me. I did just install a Rockford fosgate 2ohm sub in place of the factory one though. I think it may be that the sub is pulling too much power from the amp causing it to shut down. Did you ever figure it out?

 

Nope, never did. It hasn't happened in a while (knock on wood), but I couldn't find any fixes for it anywhere.

 

My 2020 did last Aug and Sept quite often then never did it again. Until last week and this week. Seems to be the same area but mine will only work again once I turn the truck off and back on. Powering down head unit does not work.

 

Wondering if anyone figured anything out? My JBL just started shutting volume off everything else works except volume and the bleeps, and you can turn The volume knob up or down and it stays on whatever number it was on when it quit working it doesn’t change

 

Considering the JBL system is 2ohm operational, I don’t think that’s it.

Something like this on a non-JBL stereo usually indicates the heat sink breaking free from the amp chip, I lean that way. Not the headunit, but the amp in the back. It’s been mentioned a higher volume. That creates heat. With the chip shortage, there will be more failures. The headunit indicates it’s still working, there is no amp in the JBL unit. It just sends a data signal to the rear amp.

Armed with a video of the condition will help get a new amp from the dealer. But with the chip shortage, it won’t be quick.

 

This is exactly what mine does and did. When brand new it was happening, daily, then weekly, then randomly from time to time with months between. Took it in one time and Toyota said no issues and its hard to "recreate" so they can see other than a video.

Stopped for about 6-8 months and randomly happened 1 day in October, so I emailed Toyota Corp again. I had Toyota Corp customer service call me and just wanted me to go in to Toyota to have a flash done. I have not went in for that, but its so sporadic but I feel like its an signal error from either XM or the DCM in low signal areas overloading maybe.

At this point I just wish I could go aftermarket but I don't think its possible with the panoramic cameras.

I hope a few more people have this issue were Toyota can actually figure it out. They always seem that I am the only one who has this problem.

 

I spoke with my steelership yesterday and she told me they have had quite a few complaints and it may require a full JBL replacement, she will get back to me next week she’s going to talk to Toyota

 

Did you ever have any update on this? Mine happened randomly again today.

 

I have been having problems with my ‘21 taco w/jbl system I brought in for a service a few months back and stated my problem they did a reset it worked for a few weeks then started back up again! I have noticed that carplay is possibly the cause! As when this happens i have to unplug my iPhone and replug in then it works fine for a few days/ weeks i just learned to live with it annoying as it is. The other night i noticed something new the touch screen stopped responding again had to unplug my phone and reconnected it and everything works again! Has anyone else noticed this is it possible carplay is the issue? Anybody using androids having problems? I’ve tried a new charger wire from apple makes no difference!

 

I have received a new head unit and it still did it they put a new amplifier in and it still did it they’ve done updates it’s still doing it now they’re trying to say it’s a pinched speaker wire someplace so we’re gonna dig in and see if we can find a Pinterest speaker wire someplace otherwise nobody knows what the problem is I’m stumped

 

So i found out if the radio stops working generally after it is plugged into a phone and this seems tobe with both apple and android devices it self mutes! So before you go through anymore trouble shooting try pressing the MODE/ HOLD button on the steering wheel. This works for my truck yes it is annoying but i can live with it and depending on what I decide to do at lease end maybe I’ll get a new truck with new annoyances lol hope this helps!!

 

Any update to this issue? Experiencing it on my 2022.

 

I gave up after finding out that the steering wheel button unmutes the radio and my dealer doesn’t know why it does this either, they just check for updates or reset but it still does it randomly

 

Same issue just happened to my 2023 limited with 3500MI last week. Dealer did a factory resent on the head unit that fixed it for the tech but when i go in to take the truck home the problem reappeared (no devices connected). Thereafter the dealer reassessed the truck and now they think it may be a short in one of the speakers causing the head unit to enter ‘limp’ mode.

Anyone have any new info on the fix for this issue?

 

Update, tech removed the head unit (did not unplug) and it started working. He reinstalled and worked perfectly for 3 days and then shut down when rolling over a set of railroad tracks and has not worked since. It will go back to the dealer for another fix.

 

I have a '21 TRD Pro with a JBL unit and it's been doing this since day 2 (of course it didn't happen at the stealership). I was doing a reset by restarting the truck, which worked until it didn't (doesn't anymore). Then someone suggested to hold the power button down to reset, which was working... until it didn't

I've tried having the dealership "doing everything they can", which seems to be either in vane or nothing at all, because it's still doing it. I've tried new charging cables, resetting my phones (same happens with Android Auto/Apple Car Play), plugging phone in before starting truck, starting truck then plugging phone in, etc.

I haven't tried restarting the truck again or holding down the mute button on the steering wheel (as per someone else's suggestion).

Has anyone found a fix? The only thing I can think of is to connect via Bluetooth, which sets everything back about 20 years (where's the audio portal so I can plug in my portable CD player?). This is super frustrating, for so many reasons.

 

I have since gave up trying to figure out the multiple issues with these head units if it's not self muting it's google maps either going blackout screen or just stuck on 1 location to having a blackout screen with strange arabic writing mid screen the dealer can't explain why this is happening and wouldn't replace the head unit because they either couldn't get it to repeat the problem or they could fix long enough to leave the shop. now the truck is mine and out of warranty when I can't stand it any longer or it stops working all together I'll just replace it with hopefully a better head unit. but reading reviews on aftermarket units they are hit or miss also I think technology is lacking on certain things.