Reset a Frozen Infotainment Screen

Last updated: June 12, 2026

If the touchscreen in your Mitsubishi ASX (GA0, 2010–2023) has frozen — the audio stuck, the reversing camera locked, or the screen ignoring every tap — you almost never need a dealer. From the 2017 facelift the ASX runs Mitsubishi’s SDA (Smartphone-link Display Audio), and a forced reboot of the head unit clears a software hang in seconds without touching your settings.

Which System Your ASX Has

The long-lived ASX changed audio systems over its life. Early cars (2010–2016) used a conventional radio or an older navigation head unit. The 2017 facelift introduced the 7-inch SDA touchscreen — the Kenwood-built unit shared with the Outlander — adding Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SDA is the system that freezes: common owner reports are a black or frozen screen, unresponsive touch, or poor Bluetooth, often after a software glitch or a dropped phone connection. A power-button reboot is the documented first step.

Soft Reset (Reboot the Screen)

1. Switch the ignition to ACC/ON so the screen is powered — do this parked.
2. Press and hold the Power/Volume button (the round button you press to switch the audio on/off and turn for volume) for about 10 seconds.
3. Keep holding until the screen goes black and the MITSUBISHI logo reappears.
4. Release. SDA reboots in 20–30 seconds and returns to the home screen.

Safe — No Data Lost

This reboot is safe. Radio presets, paired phones, and your CarPlay/Android Auto setup survive the power-button hold — it simply restarts the head unit like rebooting a phone. Do it as often as the screen misbehaves.

If It Stays Frozen

• Hold the button longer — up to 20 seconds — if 10 didn’t bring up the logo.
• Switch off, lock the car, and wait 5–10 minutes. Letting the unit power down fully clears a deeper hang.
• Use the recessed RESET button if the screen has one (a pinhole near the controls). Pressing it reboots the unit and clears its volatile state — note it can also clear presets on some versions.
• Delete and re-pair your phone if the freeze only happens with CarPlay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth connected.
• Check for an SDA software update. Mitsubishi issued software updates for unresponsive SDA screens; an out-of-date unit is more prone to freezing.

Factory Reset (Erases Data)

Only needed if SDA stays unstable. With the screen responsive, go to Settings → General → Factory data reset (wording varies by software version) and confirm. This wipes presets, pairings, and any saved data and returns SDA to its as-delivered state, so use the soft reset first.

Frequently Asked Questions

My early ASX has a basic radio — does the reboot apply?

No. Pre-2017 cars without the SDA touchscreen have no software to reboot. If the radio misbehaves, switch the ignition off and on, or pull the audio fuse briefly.

Will the power-button reboot delete my presets?

No. The 10-second hold only restarts the unit. Presets and pairings are kept; the dedicated RESET pinhole or the factory-reset menu is what clears saved data.

What is the difference between the RESET button and the power hold?

The power hold is a clean software reboot that keeps your settings. The recessed RESET button forces a harder restart and on some SDA versions also clears presets — use the power hold first.

Why does my ASX screen go black on startup?

A black screen at start-up is a common SDA glitch. A power-button reboot usually restores it; if it recurs, a dealer software update is the longer-term fix.

Can I reboot the screen while driving?

You can, but do it parked. The screen blanks for around half a minute, removing the reversing camera and audio while SDA restarts.

If a warning light or stored fault appears alongside the freeze, read the code first on autodtcs.com.