So you’ve been enjoying your new Tesla for some time now, and you’ve run into a tricky problem: the touchscreen is flickering or black. Don’t panic, it’s typically a quick and easy fix.
How can you fix a Tesla’s flickering screen? Typically doing a system reboot will fix the screen issue, and luckily it only takes about 1 minute.
- Put your Tesla in Park
- Press and hold the brake pedal with your foot, keep holding
- Press and hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10 seconds
- Once the screen goes black, release the brake pedal and the scroll wheels
- Wait about 1 minute for the screen to reboot
We see this problem not only with the Tesla Model 3, but also the other Tesla models. Keep reading to find out how to diagnose your screen issues, and how to fix them in no time.
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Problems with Your Tesla’s Screen
If you are experiencing any flickering or blacking out with your Tesla’s screen, then most times it’s just a quick reboot to fix the issue. However, if your screen is flickering or blacking out frequently, then you may have a more serious problem that needs attention form Tesla service technicians. First let’s look at some of the issues you may be facing:
1. Touchscreen Turning On Slowly
As a Tesla owner myself, I can confirm that occasionally (a few times over the course of a few years) the touchscreen likes to take it’s sweet time turning on when you get in the car.
I’ve gotten in the car and sat there for at least 10 seconds before the touchscreen “woke up” and the air conditioning turned on. Although this is rare, it does happen occasionally.
In order to fix this one, you can do a system reboot (instructions below), however I don’t think it truly needs fixing. This is not likely the sign that anything is broken, just a temporary lapse in instant response.
2. Poor Visibility With Your Back-Up Camera
One potential problem that a malfunctioning touchscreen on your Tesla can create is poor visibility with your back-up camera. If you wind up with a blurry back-up camera, or it’s flickering, then you may have 1 of a few issues.
The backup camera is in direct sunlight, causing the camera to flicker. If this is your situation, there’s nothing to do here but be knowledgable of the cause.
The backup camera is black and not showing the camera displays for a few seconds. Try a reboot (instructions above) when you get to a safe location to park for a minute or two. Also check for software updates, and update your cars software to the latest version.
The backup camera is black and not showing the camera displays at all. You likely have a faulty camera line that needs to be replaced by Tesla. If you’re under warranty, just schedule a service appointment on the Tesla mobile app and the service will be free. There’s also a recall on some rear camera parts for some Tesla models, so even if you are out of warranty you may be covered for a new part.
3. Complete Touchscreen Failure
Although it’s very rare, if your touchscreen does not power on at all, or constantly flickers, it’s best to either schedule a Tesla service appointment on your app, or just drive to your local Tesla service center and drop the car off.
The touchscreen is rarely ever reported as having a complete failure, but if it does, it’s something you’ll want to have fixed by the professionals right away.
Again, this is something that should be covered by your warranty without any questions at all.
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Fixing Your Tesla Screen: Rebooting
As you can tell from the potential issues causing your Tesla touchscreen to flicker or have a black screen, most of the time a quick Tesla reboot will solve the issue.
How To Reboot Your Tesla:
- Put your Tesla in Park
- Press and hold the brake pedal with your foot, keep holding
- Press and hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel for 10 seconds
- Once the screen goes black, release the brake pedal and the scroll wheels
- Wait about 1 minute for the screen to reboot
However, if you find that your touchscreen is still having frequent issues, it may be time to call in the professionals and make a Tesla service appointment.
You can schedule a Tesla service appointment on the phone by calling 888-518-3752 or on your Tesla mobile app.
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Final Thoughts
Now that you know why your Tesla touchscreen is flickering or turning black, you should be able to fix most problems with a simple reboot. However, if that doesn’t work, you want to schedule a Tesla service appointment via phone or the Tesla mobile app.