When SiriusXM is not working in your car, the fix is usually quick: park outside, power cycle the radio, then send a refresh signal. Most No Signal and missing channel problems clear within minutes. If they do not, the antenna or the subscription is the next suspect.
First Five Minutes: Quick Checklist
- Drive or park somewhere with open sky. Leave garages, tunnels and tall buildings behind.
- Power cycle the radio, as shown below.
- Send a refresh signal from your phone.
- Check that your subscription is active.
- If the screen says Check Antenna or Antenna Not Detected, jump to Step 7.
Why Is SiriusXM Not Working in My Car?
SiriusXM stops working in a car for five main reasons: something blocks the sky, the radio needs a refresh, the subscription has lapsed, the antenna has a fault, or nearby phone signals interfere.
The satellites sit above the southern sky over North America. So anything between the antenna and that part of the sky can cut the sound. In cities, ground repeaters help, but tunnels and parking garages still block them.
Step 1: SiriusXM Not Working in Your Car? Find Open Sky First
First, rule out the simplest cause. Underground parking, tunnels, overpasses, dense trees and tall buildings all block the signal. In those places, a short dropout is normal.
Drive to an open area and wait a minute. If the sound returns, the problem was the location, not the radio. However, if it still fails in the open, move on to Step 2.
Step 2: Power Cycle the Radio
A power cycle clears many stuck radios. SiriusXM gives these steps for built in car radios:
- Turn off the car and the radio.
- Open and close the driver’s door.
- Wait three minutes.
- Turn the car and radio back on.
For a plug in radio, simply switch it off, wait 30 seconds and switch it on again.
Step 3: Send a Refresh Signal
A refresh fixes most cases of SiriusXM not working in a car, especially missing channels and “Subscription” messages. It resends your account details to the radio.
Park outside with the car and radio on. Then use one of these options:
- Online: visit siriusxm.com/refresh on your phone and follow the steps.
- By phone: call 1 855 MYREFRESH (1 855 697 3373).
- By text: text Refresh to 35876, then open the link when you are at the radio.
Keep the radio on until the refresh arrives. This usually takes a few minutes. If nothing changes, repeat it once more.
Finding your Radio ID
Most radios show the Radio ID, also called the ESN, when you tune to channel 0. Otherwise, look in the radio’s settings menu under Radio ID or About.
Step 4: Check Your Subscription
If some channels play but others say they are not subscribed, your plan may have changed or expired. Log in to your SiriusXM account, or check the welcome email, to confirm the plan is active. Then send another refresh.
Many new and used cars come with a trial. When it ends, channels stop without warning. So check the trial end date if your car is new to you.
Step 5: Rule Out Phone Tower Interference
Does the sound cut out in the same spot every time? Then nearby mobile signals may be the cause. SiriusXM has reported dropouts near T Mobile towers in some cities. These signals can overload some car receivers, so the sound cuts out close to the tower.
There is no setting to fix this. However, a better antenna or an inline filter can reduce it on aftermarket setups. On factory radios, ask your dealer whether an update or part is available.
Step 6: Fix FM Adapter Problems
Some plug in SiriusXM radios send sound to your car stereo over FM. In a new city, a local station may use the same frequency and drown it out.
- Open the radio menu and note the FM frequency it uses.
- Pick a clear, unused frequency for your area.
- Set both the SiriusXM radio and the car stereo to that frequency.
Radios wired straight into the stereo, or built in at the factory, do not have this problem.
Step 7: Check the Antenna
If the screen shows Check Antenna or Antenna Not Detected, the radio has lost contact with the antenna. Make sure the antenna is outside the car and the cable is firmly plugged in. Then follow our full guide to fixing a SiriusXM antenna that keeps losing signal.
SiriusXM Error Messages in Plain English
- No Signal or Acquiring Signal: the sky is blocked or the antenna has a fault.
- Check Antenna or Antenna Not Detected: the antenna is loose, damaged or unplugged.
- Channel Not Subscribed: send a refresh, then check your plan.
- Off Air: that channel is not broadcasting right now, so try another.
- Updating or Loading: the radio is receiving data, so wait a minute.
SiriusXM Not Working in Car: Common Questions
Why does my SiriusXM work in some places and not others?
Buildings, trees, tunnels and hills block the satellite. In cities, ground repeaters fill most gaps, but not all of them.
Does a car battery change affect SiriusXM?
It can. After a battery change or jump start, some radios need a power cycle and a refresh. Our guides to jump starting a car and testing a car battery with a multimeter cover the battery side.
Does weather affect SiriusXM?
Heavy storms can cause short dropouts. If the problem happens in clear weather too, the cause is elsewhere.
Get SiriusXM Working in Your Car Again
When SiriusXM is not working in your car, start with open sky, a power cycle and a refresh. Then check the subscription, interference and the antenna. For your exact radio model, SiriusXM’s own radio troubleshooting page lists every message and fix. And if you want video on the road too, see our guide to watching live TV in your car.
Frenzy valentine is a passionate blogger, developer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and author of myfreshgists.com.