Troubleshooting Bluetooth

Your vehicle uses Bluetooth and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to seamlessly connect your smartphone to Model S. Due to several potential factors, Bluetooth or BLE may sometimes disconnect or experience issues in the pairing process. Connecting to Bluetooth allows your vehicle to use phone functions such as audio, phone calls, calendars, text messages, etc.

BLE is used for passive functions like phone key.

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Note
Do not unpair your vehicle to your phone or remove it as phone key without a working key card nearby.

Try the following to troubleshoot Bluetooth, starting with your smartphone.

Smartphone Troubleshooting

Bluetooth may not connect due to settings and updates on your smartphone:

  • Enable Bluetooth on your phone. If already enabled, disable and re-enable Bluetooth again.
  • Ensure Airplane Mode is turned off.
  • Charge your phone; if your phone battery is too low, it may not support Bluetooth functions.
  • Pair your device properly. If already paired, try unpairing and re-pairing again.
  • Update your phone to the latest software provided by the manufacturer.
  • Check that your vehicle's sound system is selected as the audio output source.
  • Ensure your phone's settings allow for Bluetooth (ex: data is turned on or you are connected to Wi-Fi).
  • Turn your phone off and on again.
  • Ensure location permissions set to “Always On” for the mobile app.

Tesla Mobile App Troubleshooting

Check the Tesla mobile app:

  • Confirm the Tesla mobile app is up to date on software.
  • Verify you're logged into the Tesla mobile app while using your phone key.
  • Ensure the Tesla app is running in the background.
  • Double check that you have completely set up your profile in the mobile app and properly configured your settings.

Vehicle Troubleshooting

Your vehicle's settings may affect its ability to pair with your smartphone:

  • Charge Model S: If the vehicle Battery is too low, you may lose Bluetooth function.
  • Update vehicle software and make sure it is always up to date. Check for new software updates by navigating to Controls > Software.
  • Restart the touchscreen. See Restarting the Touchscreen or Instrument Panel.
  • Reboot your vehicle.

If Bluetooth still does not work, unpair from your vehicle AND smartphone. Then try re-pairing both again.

For BLE phone key issues, when in the vehicle, navigate to Controls > Locks and remove your phone as "Phone as Key". Then set it back up again. But only do this while you are in the vehicle and have a reliable back up key available (such as a key card).