These instructions apply to the Hyundai Kona Mk1 (OS) 2017-2023. For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
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A frozen touchscreen in your Hyundai Kona Mk1 (OS, 2017–2023) — whether it’s the small 7-inch Display Audio or the 10.25-inch nav screen — is almost always cured by a quick reboot. If taps stop registering, the display goes black, or CarPlay hangs while the radio keeps playing, you can restart the unit yourself in under a minute and keep all your data.
The Infotainment System in This Kona
The OS-generation Kona shipped with a 7-inch or 8-inch Display Audio unit, with an optional 10.25-inch AVN navigation system on higher trims (and on the Kona Electric). Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are wired on this car, and a dropped USB handshake is the single most common reason owners see the screen lock up. The Power / Volume knob beside the display is also the reboot control.
Soft Reset (No Data Loss)
- Keep the ignition on (engine running or ACC).
- Press and hold the Power / Volume knob for about 5–10 seconds until the screen blanks.
- The Hyundai logo appears as the unit restarts — release and wait for the home screen.
Many Kona units also have a small unmarked RESET pinhole on the faceplate near the knob; press it briefly with a straightened paperclip or pen tip for the same reboot.
This Is Safe — Nothing Is Erased
A reboot only restarts the software. Paired phones, radio presets, saved destinations and your display settings all survive.
If It Stays Frozen
- Unplug the USB cable — a worn or off-brand cable regularly locks the Kona’s CarPlay/Android Auto screen.
- Switch the ignition off, lock the car, wait 2–3 minutes, then restart.
- Update the head-unit software from update.hyundai.com via USB — Hyundai released Kona updates that fix repeat freezes and projection dropouts.
- If it still won’t clear, disconnect the 12 V battery for ~15 minutes — see our Kona Mk1 battery guide. (On the Kona Electric the 12 V is separate from the drive battery and is safe to disconnect.)
Factory Reset (Erases Your Data)
Only for persistent faults: tap Setup / Settings → General → Reset (or “Factory Reset”) and confirm. This wipes paired devices, presets, saved destinations and preferences back to factory state, so use it only when a plain reboot won’t hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the reset pinhole on the Kona?
It is a tiny unmarked hole on the panel near the volume knob, on units that have one. If yours doesn’t, hold the Power / Volume knob for ~10 seconds instead.
My Kona’s CarPlay keeps dropping out — reset or cable?
Start with a genuine USB cable, then update the head unit from Hyundai. The wired-projection fixes resolve most Kona dropouts.
Will a soft reset log me out of anything?
No. Only a factory reset removes paired phones and saved data; the knob-hold keeps everything.
Is it safe to pull the battery on a Kona Electric?
Yes — the 12 V auxiliary battery is independent of the high-voltage drive battery and is the one used for an electrical reset.
Black screen, radio still playing — dead unit?
Almost never. That is the classic soft-reset scenario; hold the Power knob for 10 seconds.
If a dashboard warning light came on at the same time, decode it on autodtcs.com.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general guidance only. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions when working on your vehicle. We are not responsible for errors, omissions, or any damage resulting from the use of this information.
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