topic Re: Reboot when connected to car USB in XZ Series

Reboot when connected to car USB

Grouch — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 10:32:40 GMT

Brand new ZX2 compact with software fully updated. As soon as I connect it to a USB cable in my car, the phone reboots. Any reason why?

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

Grouch — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 10:43:14 GMT

It doesn't charge the phone and sometimes causes it to lock, vibrate for about 5 seconds and then reboot. It won't function whilst connected to the USB cable

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

JiYong — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 12:45:43 GMT

Can you try to use the cable that comes with the charger?

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

Grouch — Wed, 18 Apr 2018 08:44:46 GMT

I've used the Sony supplied cable and a third party cable. Same problem.

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

MechaBouncer — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 18:19:15 GMT

I'm having a similar situation with mine. It happens every now and again, but it is most frequently when I plug the Sony USB A-to-C cable into the phone when connecting my car to Android Auto. The screen goes black, the notification light blinks red, and the phone reboots. This morning it did it 3 times in a row before I shut the phone off then powered it back on and then it worked. Sometimes I'll go days or weeks before it happens again. I'm not sure what to look for or if there's any sort of logging that I can submit. It's possible it may have started near when I switched from using the cable that came with my Xperia X Compact to the one that came with my Xperia XZ2 Compact, but I don't really recall. I do know that the charger that came with the XZ2C was dead and never worked. I'll try a different cable and see if that makes a difference. The Sony cables seem like junk and after awhile stop working if you don't plug them in a certain direction even though they are USB-C and it shouldn't matter.

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

Strampke — Wed, 13 Mar 2019 21:42:07 GMT

Hi @MechaBouncer

The screen goes black, the notification light blinks red, and the phone reboots. This morning it did it 3 times in a row before I shut the phone off then powered it back on and then it worked.

Same happens to me when I plug an USB cable into my computer.

Is it static electricity, is it a + to earth shortcut?

I don't know.

Anyway compter screen black, computer unresponsive, need restart and everything is OK.

In your case think of something similar.

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

MechaBouncer — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:33:48 GMT

It's gotten worse since then. At this point Android Auto no longer launches on the car. I can still connect to a computer and read the contents of the phone and memory card. I'm in contact with both Google and Sony Support regarding it. I've submitted bug reports to Google including all my troubleshooting up to now and Sony recommends a software repair through Xperia Companion. I will most likely try the software repair next, but I'm highly suspecting that something has blown in or near the USB port. The bottom speaker has sounded all tinny for several weeks and I keep losing GPS signal while the USB cable is connected.

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

Strampke — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 18:20:39 GMT

As far as your reports go I would choose the USB port as cause of all troubles.

Nice that you included Google support in your search for a solution.

As far as my knowledge goes on this forum I must say that it's always good to try to find the cause of all evil, however skipping that step and go for a software repair gives the best result in most cases.

You will never find the real cause but the satisfaction of owning a device that does what it should do wins.

Anyway, be it the USB port or the software, I sincerely hope that things will go as it should on short term.

Keep us informed.

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

MechaBouncer — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 16:30:45 GMT

Well that was a waste of time. Did the software repair. Reset EVERYTHING in the phone. Waited for it to finish reinstalling all of my apps. Connected to the car and nothing. I can still connect to a computer fine, but it just doesn't respond in the car. And other phones work just fine in the car with the same cables. Something is broken in the phone that wiping the software cannot fix.

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

Strampke — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 17:32:32 GMT

A software repair cleans up everything.

When you restore your apps it is possible that you restore trouble as well.

Some 3rd party apps have the bad habit of mixing things up.

The one and only test is a software repair followed by only installing the most urgently needed apps. Leave SD card out, these also my have a tendency to cause trouble when they are at the end of their life time.

Then test in your car.

If it works problem is resolved and restore whatever you want.

If it still doesn't work then send your device in for repair.

How does your phone connect to other cars?

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

MechaBouncer — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 17:57:53 GMT

Well the reset caused me to lose MONTHS of medical records that I was monitoring in one of my apps that I now can't get back. Screw this factory reset! It's only makes my life worse! What good is backing up apps if none of the data gets backed up too!? It's asinine!

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

MechaBouncer — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 18:51:26 GMT

Well now that I have nothing left to lose, fine. I repaired AGAIN and didn't restore any apps or settings. I pulled out the MicroSD card for good measure. I tried it again in my car with all 3 cables and exactly the same. Won't start at all. I also gave it a try in my dad's Malibu. Same results. Will pair over Bluetooth, but car doesn't respond when phone is connected by USB. Happy now?

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

Strampke — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 19:21:25 GMT

Sorry to hear that.

And your pa's device does connect to your car?

USB settings?

Set to transfer files or to MIDI?

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

MechaBouncer — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 19:44:04 GMT

He has an iPhone, but that works. My mom has a Nexus 5X and that also works. I even used the same Sony UCB20 USB cable that came with my XZ2C. Yes, also tried changing the USB mode. Had to go into Developer Options for those because it doesn't present itself when I connect the XZ2C to a car.

Perhaps it will be easier to detail the same information that I have submitted to Google Support, the Android Auto user community, and Sony Support:

Error message: No message shows up in notifications, however the Support section of the phone notes app issues with Android Auto in the last 10 days corresponding to failed attempts to launch it with the car. The phone also vibrates and does a little animation when a USB cable is plugged in, but nothing happens after that. Sometimes it pulses that animation over and over depending on the USB cable.
Car / head unit make & model: 2015 Mazda 3 Mazda Connect system v70.00.100 NA N with the Android Auto/Apple CarPlay upgrade performed at my local Mazda dealership with official parts
Phone make & model: Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact (H8314)
Android OS version: 9 (Build 52.0.A.7.1)
Android Auto app version: 4.0.590434-release
Google Play services version: 15.0.90 (100408-231259764)

Here are all the things that I have tried thus far:

Restarted the phone and shut it off completely and restarted it multiple times
Rebooted the infotainment system and restarted car multiple times
Manually started Android Auto on phone, but it never started it in the car infotainment system
Tried 5 different USB cables and even ordered over $50 more in USB cables that now started arriving (I have not yet tried the new cables yet)
Tried those same 5 USB cables on my computer and found 2 to communicate with the phone reliably, but still don't work in the car
Using the same original Sony UCB20 USB cable that came with my phone I was able to start Android Auto on my car's infotainment system without issue using my mother's Nexus 5X, but did not take note of the version she had installed (most likely older). My father's iPhone also worked right away with CarPlay on my car.
Used canned air to blow out the USB port on the phone and make sure there wasn't anything in the port
Used Developer Options to enable and disable USB debugging under Developer Options
Revoked USB debugging authorizations
Used Developer Options to change default USB configuration from "No data transfer" to "File Transfer" (although I don't know if this is the same as MTP mode that I used to set it to)
Unpaired the phone with the car and repaired it over Bluetooth
Factory reset the Mazda Connect infotainment system (this was quite a hassle to reset everything)
Updated all Google applications (Google, Maps, Docs, Fit, Play Games, Wear OS, Hangouts, Gmail, Duo, YouTube, Photos, Pay. Chrome, Text-to-Speech, News, Gboard, Slides)
Cleared Android Auto's cache
Cleared Android Auto's data
Uninstalled and reinstalled Android Auto
Enabled developer options and debugging in Android Auto
Cleared Google Play services cache
Contacted Google and submitted bug reports. They are looking into it currently.
Performed software repair through Xperia Companion and reset all data
Removed MicroSD card
Tried phone in father's Chevy Malibu. Will pair with Bluetooth, but won't work over USB.

This isn't my first rodeo. I've been using Android Auto both unofficially and officially with both my Xperia X Compact as well as the Xperia XZ2 Compact up until I started having problems a few weeks ago. Then it just stopped working completely. I suspect the reboot issue was the start of something going faulty in the phone around the USB port. The bottom speaker is all tinny like something is wrong with it and I frequently lose GPS signal when connected by USB cable for charging. I'm surprised that data communication works with a computer, though.

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

Strampke — Sat, 16 Mar 2019 13:16:41 GMT

Hi @MechaBouncer

I see that you have put a lot of effort in it.

Found your posts from mid 2018 on Xperia X Compact too.

In my country Android Auto is blocked plus that my car doesn't support Android Auto.

I'm sorry I cannot help you trace your problems.

I have been reading a bit and found one more remark.

Take care that your phone is unlocked at the moment you plug in your phone.

Here is what Google instructs (I'm sure you have read it, copying it anyway)

Make sure your phone is running Android 5.0 (Lollipop) and up. For best performance, we recommend Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and up.
Confirm that your car is compatible with Android Auto and that Android Auto is turned on in your car's settings. If you're not sure, contact your local car dealer.
Make sure your phone has a strong and fast network connection. We recommend running Android Auto for the first time within Wi-Fi range for the fastest installation.
Download the Android Auto app from Google Play, or just plug your phone into a compatible car with a USB cable and you'll be prompted to download the app.
Before you connect your phone for the first time, turn on your car. Make sure it's in park (P) and that you have time to set up Android Auto.
1. Unlock your phone's screen.
2. Connect your phone to your car using a USB cable.
3. Your phone might ask you to download or update certain apps, like Google Maps.
4. Review the Safety Information and Android Auto permissions to access your apps.
5. Turn on notifications for Android Auto. For the best experience, we recommend accepting all requests.
Your phone’s Bluetooth will be turned on automatically when Android Auto is connected to the car via USB.
On your car display, select Android Auto . Follow the instructions to get started.
Drive safely! Make sure to stay fully aware of the road and driving conditions, and always obey applicable laws.

Re: Reboot when connected to car USB

MechaBouncer — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 14:08:17 GMT

Sony determined that the issue must be hardware at this point and I have sent it back for repair under warranty.