Troubleshooting Bluetooth

Your vehicle uses Bluetooth and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to seamlessly connect your cell phone to Model S. Occasionally, Bluetooth or BLE may be disconnected or problems may occur during the pairing process due to several potential factors. Bluetooth connectivity allows your vehicle to use phone functions, such as audio, phone calls, calendar, and text messaging.

BLE is not used for passive functions such as phone key.

Note: Do not disconnect the vehicle from the phone or remove the phone key without a working key card nearby.

Try the following to troubleshoot Bluetooth. Start with the cell phone.

Troubleshoot the cell phone

Bluetooth may not be able to connect due to settings and updates on your cell phone:

• Activate Bluetooth on your phone. If it is already activated, deactivate and activate Bluetooth again.
  
• Check that the airplane mode is deactivated.
  
• Charge your phone. If your phone's battery level is too low, it may not support Bluetooth functions.
  
• Pair the device correctly. If it is already paired, disconnect and pair it again.
  
• Update your phone to the latest software from the manufacturer.
  
• Check that the car audio system is selected as the audio output source.
  
• Check that your phone's settings allow Bluetooth (for example, mobile data is enabled and the phone is connected to Wi-Fi).
  
• Turn off your phone and turn it on again.
  
• Make sure the location permissions are set to “Always on” for the mobile app.
  

Troubleshooting the Tesla mobile app

Check the Tesla mobile app:

• Verify that the Tesla mobile app is updated with the latest software.
  
• Verify that you are logged in to the Tesla mobile app while using the phone key.
  
• Make sure the Tesla app is running in the background.
  
• Verify that you have fully configured the profile in the mobile app and configured the settings correctly.
  

Troubleshoot the vehicle

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

• Charge Model S: If the vehicle's battery level is too low, the Bluetooth feature may not work.
  
• Update your vehicle's 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 dashboard.
  
• Restart the vehicle.
  

If Bluetooth still does not work, disconnect the vehicle AND the cell phone. Then try to pair them again.

If you have problems with the BLE phone key, navigate to Controls > Lock while in the vehicle and remove the phone from “phone as key”. Then configure it again. Only do this when you are in the vehicle and have an available, reliable spare key (for example, a key card).