These instructions apply to the Subaru XV Mk1 (GP) 2012-2017.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
After the 12-volt battery has been disconnected or a window motor has lost power, the one-touch (auto) up-and-down function on the first-generation Subaru XV (GP, 2012–2017) stops working until each window is re-initialised. It is a quick job done from the driver’s seat with the ignition on.
How to re-initialise the XV power windows

- Sit in the driver’s seat and close the door.
- Switch the ignition on.
- Open the window fully with its switch.
- Pull the switch up and hold it until the window is completely closed, then keep holding for about one more second.
- Release the switch and check that the one-touch (auto) up and down now works.
- Repeat for each window that has lost its auto function.
If the auto function still will not set, use the alternative method: with the ignition on, press the switch up to its full travel and release it, repeat about ten times until the auto-up stops working, then open the window and hold the close switch until the glass is fully shut and for one second beyond. Test again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my XV windows stop going up automatically?
Disconnecting the battery, a blown fuse, or a window motor losing power all clear the window controller’s learned end-stops. The glass still raises while you hold the switch, but the one-touch auto function is disabled until you re-initialise it.
Do I have to do each window separately?
Yes. Each door’s window learns its own fully-closed position, so repeat the procedure at every window that has lost its auto function, including the passenger windows.
If a window is dead rather than just missing its auto function, check the fuse and switch before suspecting the motor; decode any related body code on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Subaru. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.