There are many advantages to having more sophisticated technology systems in your car, but there are also more potential sites of failure. One such issue is the black Screen of death, which affects the Sync infotainment system in Ford automobiles.
Several possible causes of the Ford Sync’s black Screen of death include software difficulties, hardware problems, power supply problems, and system bugs. It can be fixed like how a computer or phone is fixed; you should attempt switching it on and off, cutting power, doing hard reboots, and upgrading the firmware.
What Is the Black Screen of Death on Ford Sync?
A problem known as the Ford Sync Black Screen of Death (BSOD) causes the infotainment system in your Ford automobile to show a blank screen instead of the customary home screen. All vehicles with SYNC 3 or SYNC 2 systems, including the Focus, Fiesta, Fusion, Escape, and Edge models from Ford, are included in this.
Let us review a few likely reasons and how to address each one.
Outdated Software
Outdated SYNC software is one of the most frequent reasons for this problem. SYNC systems may become unstable if they are out of current since they depend on frequent upgrades to remain working correctly. You should look for any available SYNC updates and apply them if required to remedy this.
How to Update
The “Black Screen of Death” may be avoided by updating the Ford’s Sync 3 system. The following is a how-to list:
- Check that your Ford is parked and that the engine is off.
- Join a Wi-Fi network with your Ford. The updating procedure requires this.
- Select “Settings” by pressing the “Menu” button on the steering wheel.
- Then click “Check for Updates” under “Software Update.”
- “Download and Install” should be chosen if an update is available.
- To finish the update procedure, adhere to the directions shown on the Screen.
- The Sync 3 system will automatically reboot when the upgrade is done.
- Check whether the upgrade was successful and whether the Black Screen of Death no longer occurs once the system has restarted.
Keep in mind that these steps may vary based on the model and year of your Ford, so if required, consult the owner’s manual for more thorough instructions.
For example, if your Ford is an older model, you must do the following actions:
- Visit the Ford website.
- Check to see if your Ford car has an update available.
- Download it.
- Put it in exFAT file format on a blank USB.
- Turn on the car.
- Connect the USB to the USB port. The update should begin installing on the machine automatically.
- You will need to select the Sync-setting page on your Menu, browse to Install, and then navigate back if the installation procedure does not begin immediately.
- Remove the USB once you see the message “Update installation complete.”
This must suffice. After updating your system, the Black Screen of the Death problem should be resolved.
Electric Problems
A car’s battery and charging system malfunction might result in a BSOD. The infotainment system may not start up correctly due to a weak battery or a malfunctioning charging mechanism.
You should check the battery and replace it if required to resolve this. Your car may also need to be serviced to identify and fix any underlying problems with the charging system.
This may be a great place to start since some owners have said that detaching and reconnecting the battery wires can assist. After examining and replacing the battery, if the problem still exists, it is essential to get your car serviced by a qualified technician as soon as possible.
Software Bug
The infotainment system, like other computers, sometimes develops bugs or software issues that cause them to malfunction. This may result in a freeze or a black screen and prevent the system from loading correctly. To resolve this, you should attempt a system reset, either soft or hard.
Follow these steps to soft Reset your Ford Sync system:
- For around 10 seconds, hold down the Seek Right and “Power” buttons on the infotainment system.
- Your settings and programs will remain once the system reboots and restarts.
The hard Reset, sometimes called the master reset, erases all the current data on your Sync system and resets it to its default settings.
Here are the steps from the Ford website to execute a hard reset on your Ford Sync system:
- Take out the navigation chip or SD card (if applicable) before performing a Master Reset to protect your saved routes and the phonebook on your SYNC System.
- Press the GEARS button on the home screen’s bottom right corner.
- On the menu, click the SETTINGS option.
- Access to the Menu, press SYSTEM.
- To find MASTER RESET, go to page 2 and scroll down.
- Tap YES, and SYNC will begin reset.
Check the user handbook for more precise instructions since certain procedures may vary based on your Ford model and its Sync system. For additional information on how to reset the Ford sync system, go here.
As an alternative, you may just attempt to wait it out. Numerous Ford owners have reported that their BSOD spontaneously disappeared and the system resumed functioning after a few hours.
This may result from a system error, but everything should be alright as long as it does not happen often. However, if the issue continues, you have to take the vehicle to a technician or dealership so they can identify it.
Faulty Infotainment Cables
Defective infotainment wires are the third potential reason for the Ford Sync Black Screen of Death. Over time, these wires may become worn out or broken, impairing the infotainment system’s functionality. To resolve this, you should inspect each wire attached to your SYNC system and replace any broken ones.
Inspecting the wire harnesses and repairing any damaged components could be necessary. Restart the car after that to make sure the issue has been fixed.
Faulty Fuse
A burnt fuse may cause the “Black Screen of Death” (BSOD) in a Ford vehicle equipped with the Sync infotainment system. Several fuses are necessary to provide power to and guarantee the efficient functioning of the entertainment system. The system may shut down and fail to start if one of these fuses breaks or gets broken, resulting in the BSOD.
Age, corrosion, & overheating are the three most frequent reasons for a defective fuse. Fuses may malfunction if they get oxidized over time. The fuse may also overheat and fail if its amp rating is lower than the current it is intended to handle.
Checking the fuse box is the first step in determining if a bad fuse is to blame for the BSOD. All of the fuses that provide electricity to the different systems in your Ford are contained in the fuse box, which is normally found beneath the hood or in the passenger compartment.
Check the status of the fuses in the fuse box if you think a bad fuse is to blame for the BSOD. Keep an eye out for any indications of physical harm, discoloration, or rust. If you discover a bad fuse, you should replace it with a fresh one of the same kind and amperage.
Faulty Display
Most often, injury or aging are the root causes of this problem. Assume your automobile is relatively new and has not seen any exceptionally hard circumstances, such as exposure to liquids or strong accident impacts.
In such a situation, the display has probably aged with time. Aged displays that begin failing and finally break altogether might result from heavy usage and inadequate maintenance procedures.
Alternatively, an unforeseen mishap or exposure to fluids might cause physical damage to the display, rendering it inoperable until fixed or changed. Since physical damage often causes hardware faults to be permanent in such circumstances, it is doubtful that a software problem could be to blame.
You must bring your car to a licensed Ford mechanic for necessary repairs or replacements. Most individuals lack the skills and expertise required to properly service the display parts of their cars; trying such repairs on your own might end up causing more damage than good.
A qualified mechanic will have access to the components and knowledge required for Ford infotainment system repairs and replacements.
APIM Issues
The APIM links the infotainment system and all of its capabilities, including Bluetooth connection, music, navigation, and more. The infotainment system may shut down or fail to start properly if this module develops damage or a malfunction of any kind, culminating in the famed “Black Screen of Death.” Hardware malfunctions, software bugs, and physical damage often bring on APIM problems.
Hardware malfunctions may result from an internal issue with the APIM module; ultimately, physical damage may be brought on by exposure to water or other impurities, as well as by physical impact or even vibration. Software errors are often brought on by damaged data or out-of-date software.
If an APIM issue is not the cause of your car’s BSOD problem, check the settings and diagnostic codes in your infotainment system first. If it is, you will probably need to use a diagnostic tool to detect any likely error codes and other APIM-related issues.
Various alternatives are available based on what is discovered during your search: upgrading your software version may solve the issue, and replacing the complete APIM module may be necessary if a serious hardware failure occurs. Inspection and repair by a certified Ford technician may be necessary depending on what was discovered during diagnosis.
Conclusion
One of the most aggravating problems for Ford vehicle owners with SYNC infotainment systems is the black screen of death, but happily, several remedies may help give them new life.
These fixes ought to enable you to get back on track without having to visit the dealership or spend a lot of money attempting to fix this issue yourself, from checking for updates to completely replacing out-of-date software versions!
In the long run, knowing how these repairs operate can save time and money when dealing with this problem in the future in cars that have comparable systems installed.
