Reset a Frozen Infotainment Screen

Last updated: June 12, 2026

The Polestar 2 (2020–Present) runs Google built-in (Android Automotive OS) on its large portrait centre display — the first car to launch with Google’s native in-car system. Maps, media, climate, charging and most vehicle settings all live on that one screen, so when it freezes, goes black or stops responding, the car feels frozen with it. The good news: the Polestar 2 is a software-heavy EV and most glitches clear with a simple screen reboot you can do yourself, with no loss of data.

The infotainment system in this generation

The Polestar 2’s display is Google built-in (Android Automotive), not the older Volvo Sensus. At the very bottom of the screen is a physical home button shown as a short horizontal white line. Because the system updates over the air, an occasional freeze, black screen or reboot loop after an OTA update is a known characteristic — and restarting the centre display almost always clears it.

How to restart the frozen screen (soft reset)

1. Make sure the car is parked and stationary — do not do this while moving.
2. Press and hold the home button (the horizontal-line button at the very bottom of the centre display).
3. A message will appear on the screen as you hold — keep holding straight through it.
4. Continue holding for about 20 seconds until the screen turns completely black.
5. Release the button once the screen is black.
6. When Polestar 2 appears on the display, the system has restarted. Give it a minute to finish loading.

Is this safe? Will I lose anything?

Yes — it is safe and no data is lost. Rebooting the centre display only refreshes the screen software. Your Google account, saved Maps places, profiles, app logins and settings all stay exactly as they were. This is completely different from a factory reset, which would wipe everything. The screen reboot simply power-cycles the display.

If it stays frozen

• Hold past the message. The on-screen message during the hold is normal — releasing too early is the most common reason the reboot doesn’t take. Wait for a fully black screen.
• TCAM reset. For connectivity and telematics glitches, some owners use a TCAM reset via the defroster button — check your owner’s manual for the exact sequence for your model year.
• Let the car sleep. Lock it and leave it for a while so the systems power down, then unlock and recheck.
• Check for an OTA update. Many freeze and black-screen issues are tied to specific software builds that Polestar has since fixed over the air — make sure your car is on the latest version.

Factory reset (erases your data)

A factory reset is only for selling the car or curing a permanently corrupted system — it is not the same as rebooting the screen. From the home view, open Settings → System → Reset options → Erase all data (factory reset). This removes your Google account, all profiles, saved places, app data and personal settings, returning the car to its delivered state. Use it deliberately; it is never required to clear an everyday freeze.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the home button on the Polestar 2?

It is the short horizontal white line at the very bottom centre of the portrait display. Press and hold it for about 20 seconds to reboot — a quick tap just returns you to the home screen.

Why does my Polestar 2 screen show a message when I hold the button?

That message is expected during the hold. Keep holding straight through it until the screen goes fully black, then release — that is when the reboot actually happens.

Will rebooting delete my Google account or saved places?

No. A screen reboot keeps your Google account, profiles, saved Maps destinations and all settings. Only a deliberate factory reset erases them.

Why does my Polestar 2 freeze or go black after an update?

As a software-heavy EV with over-the-air updates, the Polestar 2 can glitch on certain software builds. A screen reboot clears most cases; persistent issues are usually fixed by the next OTA update, so keep the car current.

What is a TCAM reset and when do I need it?

The TCAM (telematics) reset, done via the defroster button, targets connectivity and online-service faults rather than a frozen screen. Try the home-button reboot first; use the TCAM reset for data, app-store or connectivity problems, following your owner’s manual.

If a warning light appears alongside the infotainment glitch, our sister site autodtcs.com explains what the stored diagnostic trouble codes mean.