How To Reset Subaru Touch Screen 2019

Okay, folks, gather 'round, grab your lukewarm coffee, and prepare yourselves for a tale as old as time, or at least as old as the 2019 Subaru Outback. We're talking about that magical, sometimes maddening, glowing rectangle in the center of your dashboard: the Subaru touchscreen. You know, the one that’s supposed to control everything from your tunes to your climate, but sometimes decides to go on strike faster than a teenager asked to do chores?

We’ve all been there. You’re cruising down the highway, singing along (badly, probably) to your favorite 80s power ballad, and suddenly, the screen goes blank. Or perhaps it’s frozen, displaying a single, defiant icon like a stubborn barnacle. Maybe it’s having a full-blown existential crisis, flashing random menus and refusing to acknowledge your existence. It’s enough to make you want to honk your horn repeatedly, which, ironically, might actually work sometimes. But fear not, intrepid Subaru drivers! This isn't the end of your infotainment journey. We're about to embark on a quest, a noble endeavor, to… well, to reset the darn thing.

Think of your Subaru touchscreen like a tiny, digital diva. It has its moments of brilliance, showcasing its vast capabilities. But sometimes, it just needs a little… timeout. A chance to recalibrate, to remember who’s the boss (spoiler alert: it's you, but it probably doesn't know that). And the most common, and frankly, the easiest way to coax it back into cooperation is through a good old-fashioned reset. No complex jargon, no needing a degree in computer engineering. Just a few simple steps that are surprisingly effective.

Now, before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about why this happens. Is your Subaru possessed by a mischievous poltergeist? Did it accidentally download a virus from a dodgy USB stick you found under the seat? Probably not. More often than not, it’s just a software glitch. A little hiccup in the digital matrix. It's like when your phone gets sluggish, and you give it a restart. The same principle applies here. It’s not rocket science, it’s… dashboard science.

The Not-So-Secret Sauce: How to Hit the Reset Button (Literally!)

Alright, so you’ve got your frozen screen, your grumpy GPS, or your music player that’s decided to play only the sound of crickets. What do you do? First things first, don't panic. Panicking will just make the screen feel more powerful. Take a deep breath. Imagine yourself as a calm, collected Jedi master, ready to wield the power of the… power button.

Now, for your 2019 Subaru model (and this generally holds true for a few years around it, so if you’ve got a slightly younger or older model, give it a shot!), the primary method involves a bit of a dance with the physical buttons around the infotainment system. You’re not going to find a little cartoonish “reset” icon hidden somewhere. This is more of a secret handshake situation.

Here’s the magic formula, whispered from car enthusiast to car enthusiast in hushed tones over lukewarm lattes: You’re going to simultaneously press and hold two buttons. Which buttons, you ask? Ah, that’s the suspense! Drumroll, please!

The Button Ballet: Your Two-Step to Screen Salvation

For most 2019 Subarus equipped with the touchscreen infotainment system, the dynamic duo you need to focus on are the “Home” button and the “Back” button. You’ll find these nestled around the edges of your touchscreen. They might be physical buttons, or they might be touch-sensitive areas. Either way, locate them.

Now, here’s the crucial part: you need to press and hold both of them. At the same time. It’s like trying to clap with one hand, but way more effective for your car’s sanity. Imagine you’re trying to give your screen a firm, but polite, two-handed pat on the back to say, “Hey, buddy, snap out of it!”

Hold them down. Don’t just tap them like you’re ordering a coffee. Give them a good, sustained press. We’re talking about 10 to 20 seconds. This is where patience, a virtue often lost in the digital age, comes into play. You might feel a little silly, standing there with your finger hovering over two buttons, but trust the process. It’s a well-guarded secret among Subaru aficionados, passed down through generations of drivers who have battled the phantom screen glitches.

What happens next? If you’ve performed this digital incantation correctly, your screen should do one of two things: either go completely black for a moment, signifying it’s rebooting, or it will display the Subaru logo, a triumphant return from the digital abyss. Ta-da! You’ve just performed a soft reset. It’s like giving your car’s brain a quick reboot without wiping out all your settings. Think of it as hitting the “undo” button for a temporary software malfunction.

What If My Screen is Still Being a Grump?

Now, I know what you're thinking. "What if that doesn't work, you glorious purveyor of coffee-fueled wisdom?" Well, my friends, that's when we enter the slightly more advanced, but still totally achievable, realm of troubleshooting. Sometimes, the problem isn't just a fleeting glitch; it might be a deeper software issue, or even something related to your phone's connection if you're using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

First, try the reset again. Maybe your initial attempt was a little too timid. Give it another go, this time with the conviction of a seasoned barista making the perfect latte. If it still doesn't budge, consider the possibility that there might be an issue with a connected device. If you have your phone plugged in for CarPlay or Android Auto, unplug your phone and then try the reset. Sometimes, a rogue app or a connection hiccup from your phone can throw a wrench in the whole system. It's like trying to have a serious conversation with a toddler who's playing a noisy video game – things get jumbled.

If you’re still encountering problems, and you’re feeling particularly brave, you can also try disconnecting the car’s battery for a few minutes. Now, I’m not saying you should do this willy-nilly. This is a more drastic measure, akin to performing a full system restore. You'll want to consult your owner's manual for the exact location of the battery and how to safely disconnect and reconnect it. Be warned: this might reset some of your other car settings, like radio presets and clock time. It’s like giving your entire car a hard reboot, so proceed with caution.

If all else fails, and your touchscreen is still acting like a rebellious teenager, it might be time to seek professional help. Don't feel defeated! Even the most technologically advanced gadgets can have their off days. A visit to your Subaru dealership or a trusted mechanic can help diagnose more complex issues. Sometimes, it's a faulty sensor, a loose connection, or a software update that’s needed. Think of it as taking your car to the doctor for a check-up.

So there you have it, a guide to taming your 2019 Subaru touchscreen. Remember, a little patience and a good button press can go a long way. Now, go forth and conquer your infotainment system! And if all else fails, you can always resort to the classic, analog methods of entertainment: singing loudly and enjoying the rumble of that iconic Subaru engine. Happy driving!