If you own a Tesla vehicle, you may have experienced issues with the radio not working properly. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on your radio for entertainment or to stay updated on the news. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix this issue on your own. In this article, we will go over some possible causes of a non-functioning Tesla radio and provide some troubleshooting steps to try and resolve the issue.
Causes of a Non-Functioning Tesla Radio
There are a few potential causes of a Tesla radio not working properly. Here are some possible reasons why your radio may not be functioning:
- The Tesla radio may not be receiving a strong enough signal. This can happen if you are in a remote location or if there is interference from nearby buildings or other sources.
- The radio may not be functioning properly due to a hardware issue. This could be caused by a faulty component or a problem with the wiring.
- The radio may not be functioning properly due to a software issue. This could be caused by a bug in the software or a problem with the Tesla vehicle’s operating system.

Troubleshooting Steps
Here are some steps you can take to try and fix your Tesla radio if it is not working properly:
Check the antenna
If your Tesla radio is not receiving a strong enough signal, the first thing you should do is check the antenna.
Make sure the antenna is securely attached and not damaged.
If the antenna looks fine, try moving your Tesla vehicle to a different location to see if the signal strength improves.
Restart the radio
If the antenna looks fine and you are still experiencing issues with the radio not working properly, the next step is to restart the radio.
To do this, press and hold the power button on the radio for a few seconds until the radio turns off.
Then, press the power button again to turn the radio back on. This may resolve any software issues that may be causing the radio to not work properly.
Check for software updates
If restarting the radio does not fix the issue, the next step is to check for software updates.
Tesla vehicles are regularly updated with new software, and these updates can sometimes fix bugs and other issues that may be causing the radio to not work properly.
To check for updates, connect your Tesla vehicle to a Wi-Fi network and then go to the “Software” section in the Tesla vehicle’s settings. If there are any available updates, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install them.

Contact Tesla Support
If none of the above steps resolve the issue with your Tesla radio not working, it is likely that there is a hardware problem.
In this case, it is best to contact Tesla Support for assistance. They will be able to diagnose the issue and advise you on the best course of action to fix it.
Signs Of A Bad Tesla Antenna
Here are some signs that your Tesla antenna may be bad and in need of replacement:
- The radio is not receiving a strong signal, or the signal cuts out frequently.
- The radio is not able to pick up any stations, or only picks up a few stations.
- The radio reception is distorted or fuzzy.
- The antenna is physically damaged, such as bent or broken.
If you are experiencing any of these issues with your Tesla antenna, it is likely that the antenna is bad and needs to be replaced.
To confirm the issue, you can try replacing the antenna with a new one and see if the problems persist. If the issues continue, there may be other underlying issues with your Tesla vehicle’s radio that will need to be addressed.
In this case, it is best to contact Tesla Support for assistance.
How To Replace Tesla Antenna
If you need to replace the antenna on your Tesla vehicle, you can follow these steps:
- Locate the antenna on your Tesla vehicle. The antenna is typically located on the roof of the vehicle, near the front or rear.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the antenna in place. Be careful not to damage the screws or the surrounding area.
- Carefully pull the antenna away from the vehicle. If the antenna is stuck, you may need to gently wiggle it back and forth to loosen it.
- Once the old antenna is removed, attach the new antenna in the same location using the screws you removed earlier. Make sure the antenna is securely attached and aligned properly.
- Test the new antenna to make sure it is working properly. You can do this by turning on the radio and checking for a strong signal.
If you are unsure about how to replace the antenna on your Tesla vehicle, it is best to contact Tesla Support for assistance.
They can provide step-by-step instructions and answer any questions you may have.
Final Thoughts
If your Tesla radio is not working properly, there are a few steps you can take to try and fix the issue on your own.
Start by checking the antenna, restarting the radio, and checking for software updates.
If these steps do not resolve the issue, contact Tesla Support for assistance. Hopefully, with these troubleshooting steps, you will be able to get your Tesla radio working again in no time.