Electric Rivian Vehicle's In-Car WiFi and Emergency SOS Feature Malfunction, Leaving Owner Unable to Play Music or Adjust Network Settings
Rivian owners, such as Michi, may face WiFi and SOS system issues in their vehicles. These problems can make long-distance road trips challenging and potentially dangerous, especially when venturing into rural areas or using the vehicle for camping, hiking, or off-road exploration.
Michi's Rivian, for instance, has a WiFi issue that prevents streaming music from services like Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM. The WiFi settings are greyed out and unavailable, which likely points to a failure of the vehicle's communications module or internal networking hardware. Similarly, the SOS button may not function, making emergency situations potentially dangerous.
To troubleshoot these issues without booking a service appointment, Rivian owners can try several steps focused on connectivity and system resets. Here's a step-by-step guide:
WiFi Troubleshooting: 1. Ensure your vehicle's WiFi is turned on and your device is within range of the network/router. 2. Toggle WiFi off and on again on your vehicle’s infotainment system. 3. Reboot the vehicle’s infotainment system by performing a soft reset (e.g., holding down power and volume buttons simultaneously, if specified in the manual). 4. Verify that your phone or device connected to the WiFi has up-to-date software. 5. Check for interference or obstacles blocking signal between your vehicle and WiFi source. 6. If stuck on login portals or captive portals, ensure your device has the latest OS updates as some login portals require updated devices.
SOS System Troubleshooting: 1. Confirm cellular data or connectivity is available as SOS systems typically rely on cellular networks. 2. Restart the vehicle's system or the SOS module if accessible via infotainment menus or physical reset. 3. Verify that any software updates relevant to safety and connectivity have been installed, as Rivian regularly fixes bugs related to infotainment and connectivity in updates.
General Connectivity and Software Tips: 1. Check for pending Rivian software updates via the vehicle or Rivian app; install any available updates because many issues, including Alexa and infotainment glitches, are often resolved in software updates. 2. If transitioning between WiFi and cellular causes disconnects (common in Alexa and streaming services), remain in an area with strong WiFi or cellular signal to reduce switching disruptions. 3. For deeper resets or persistent connectivity issues, power cycling the vehicle (fully off then on after a delay) may help clear temporary faults.
- If These Steps Fail:
- Contact Rivian customer support or technical support for remote diagnostics if possible before scheduling a service visit.
- Use Rivian owner forums or communities to check if others are experiencing similar issues and any unofficial fixes or advice prior to a service appointment.
In summary, without a service appointment, Rivian owners can troubleshoot WiFi and SOS system issues by WiFi toggling, system reboot, ensuring device/software currency, confirming cellular connectivity, updating vehicle software, and maintaining strong signal environments. Persistent or hardware faults likely require professional diagnostics at a service center.
Rivian as a company needs to address these problems through more robust support, faster parts availability, and proactive software stability improvements to ensure that such issues become less common.
[1] Software updates for devices [2] Rivian Owners Forum [3] Rivian Tech Support [4] Rivian Software Updates
- In attempt to enhance their lifestyle during long-distance road trips, Rivian owners might incorporate smartphones and electric-vehicle compatible gadgets, such as portable WiFi hotspots or mobile phone mounts, to mitigate the risks associated with faulty WiFi and SOS systems.
- To enjoy music streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify, and SiriusXM during travel, Rivian owners could consider purchasing electric cars with advanced technology and reliable connectivity options, such as Tesla, which is renowned for its stable WiFi and strong customer service.
- As electric-vehicle technology advances, smartphone manufacturers could collaborate with electric-vehicle companies to develop connected accessories tailored towards owners of electric-vehicles, such as wireless charging pads that can also boost the vehicle's battery during charging sessions or smartphone apps offering flawless integration with the vehicle's infotainment system.
