Like most modern vehicles, BMWs come loaded with cutting-edge tech features to elevate your driving experience. However, sometimes even the best technologies can run into snags. In 2020, many BMW owners grappled with frustrating Bluetooth connectivity issues that impacted their ability to stream music, make hands-free calls, and more.
The short answer: From audio streaming troubles to call quality woes, this guide covers the most prevalent BMW Bluetooth problems faced in 2020 models and provides easy-to-follow solutions to get your wireless connectivity back on track.
Whether your 2020 BMW’s Bluetooth wasn’t connecting at all, kept disconnecting unexpectedly, had static or noise on calls, or any other issue – we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive deep into the common culprits behind these glitches and how to troubleshoot them effectively.
BMW Bluetooth Not Connecting in 2020
One of the biggest Bluetooth headaches for 2020 BMW owners was an inability to establish a connection between their phone and vehicle in the first place. You go through the pairing process, but your phone just won’t show up in the BMW’s Bluetooth menu or stubbornly refuses to pair.
There could be several potential causes behind this vexing problem:
Software/Firmware Issues
Like any tech product, BMWs and smartphones require software/firmware updates from time to time to squash bugs and maintain compatibility. If either your phone’s Bluetooth software or your BMW’s iDrive system is out-of-date, it could lead to pairing failures.
Hardware Problems
While rare, it’s also possible that a hardware fault – either in your phone’s Bluetooth chip or the BMW’s wireless module – is the root cause. This is more likely if you’ve confirmed your software is updated but still can’t get Bluetooth to work in your 2020 BMW.
Interference from Other Devices
Wireless signals can sometimes conflict, especially if you have multiple Bluetooth-enabled devices in close proximity. Your BMW may struggle to establish a clean connection if there’s interference from другие смартфоны, беспроводные гарнитуры or even certain electrical appliances.
To resolve BMW Bluetooth not connecting in 2020 models, try these steps:
- Ensure both your phone and vehicle have all available software updates installed.
- Remove any other actively paired devices that could be causing interference.
- Power cycle both your phone and BMW’s infotainment system by turning Bluetooth off/on.
- Delete any existing pairings and re-pair your phone as a fresh connection.
If those basic troubleshooting tips don’t work, your next step should be to schedule an appointment with a BMW service center, as hardware issues can be trickier to diagnose and fix.
2020 BMW Models with Frequent Bluetooth Audio Streaming Problems
Let’s say you’ve got your phone successfully paired to your BMW’s Bluetooth, but no music is playing when you hit the stream button. You’re connected, but there’s no audio streaming through the speakers. Gah!
This specific Bluetooth streaming fail was a recurring headache for many 2020 BMW owners. There are a few likely culprits:
Connectivity Issues
While your phone may be paired to the BMW for Bluetooth calling, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s also enabled for media streaming. You’ll need to double-check your iDrive system’s Bluetooth settings for that paired device.
Software Conflicts
Bugs in either your phone’s operating system or the BMW’s iDrive software could be causing an audio streaming blockage, even if the connection itself is established.
To fix BMW Bluetooth audio streaming problems from 2020:
- Access your iDrive’s Bluetooth settings and ensure media streaming is allowed for your paired phone.
- Check for any available software updates for your vehicle and install them.
- Force close any audio apps on your phone and give them a fresh start.
- As a last resort, try deleting your phone’s pairing and re-establishing the Bluetooth connection.
With any luck, one of those steps should clear the way for music, podcasts, and other audio to start streaming successfully again.
Poor Call Quality Over BMW Bluetooth in 2020
Maybe your 2020 BMW’s Bluetooth can connect just fine and stream audio without issue, but as soon as you try to make a hands-free call, the voice quality is unacceptably poor. Callers sound muffled or robotic, or they constantly ask you to repeat yourself because of excess noise.
There are a few possible explanations for 2020 BMW Bluetooth call quality problems:
Mic Positioning and Adjustment
The microphone used for Bluetooth calls in BMWs is directional – if it’s not optimally positioned to pick up your voice (and reject other noise), call quality will suffer. Double-check that yours is facing towards the cabin.
Software Glitches Impacting Voice Codec
Bugs in your BMW’s voice codecs (software that encodes/decodes audio) could lead to compression artifacts or choppy audio on calls. A software update may be needed to resolve these types of code errors.
Interference from Vehicle Noise
If call quality only gets bad when driving at highway speeds, it’s likely that wind, tire and engine noise are overpowering the mic input. Noise cancellation can only do so much.
To improve 2020 BMW Bluetooth call performance, try:
- Inspecting the microphone position and re-adjusting it towards the driver if needed.
- Installing any available software updates from BMW for your iDrive system.
- Testing with different phones to rule out a device-specific issue.
- As a last resort, completely resetting the BMW’s Bluetooth module could root out stubborn software glitches.
No one should have to struggle through garbled, low-quality hands-free calls. If the steps above don’t help, it may be time to take your BMW to a certified service center for diagnosis.
BMW Bluetooth Keeps Disconnecting (2020 Models)
You successfully pair your phone and Windows, multimedia and everything seems to work…for a little while. Then suddenly, inexplicably, your BMW’s Bluetooth disconnects and you have to go through the re-pairing process again. And again. And again.
What gives? Why does your 2020 BMW’s Bluetooth keep disconnecting, disrupting your audio streaming and call functionality?
The most common causes of repeated, random BMW Bluetooth disconnects in 2020 vehicles include:
Multiple Devices Paired
While some higher-end BMW models allow multiple simultaneous Bluetooth connections, many are designed to only maintain a single active pairing at once. If you have other devices paired, they could be kicking your current connection off.
Software Conflicts
Technology is complicated, and it’s not uncommon for software glitches or compatibility issues between your phone’s OS and the BMW’s iDrive system to trigger unexpected disconnections.
WiFi Interference
Bluetooth and WiFi can actually interfere with each other’s signal if operating in adjacent wireless frequency bands. Disabling WiFi on your phone when connecting to BMW’s Bluetooth is sometimes the fix.
Vehicle Range Limitations
All Bluetooth connections have limited range before dropouts occur. Your 2020 BMW likely disconnects at a certain distance as you walk away, which is normal – but could be frustrating if happening randomly while driving.
To prevent your BMW’s Bluetooth from repeatedly disconnecting in 2020 models, try these steps:
- Unpair any devices you aren’t actively using to eliminate potential conflicts.
- Check for any available software updates for your phone and BMW’s iDrive system.
- Toggle WiFi off on your phone before connecting Bluetooth to your BMW.
- If all else fails, perform a full reset of the BMW’s Bluetooth module.
While occasional disconnects are normal with any wireless standard, frequent unexpected drops can really ruin your BMW’s infotainment experience. Don’t hesitate to consult a professional technician if the issue persists.
Other Less Common 2020 BMW Bluetooth Bugs
In addition to the major BMW Bluetooth connectivity problems outlined above, owners also reported some more niche, isolated issues across 2020 model year vehicles:
Can’t Stream Music But Calls Work
For some, streaming audio over Bluetooth was a no-go, but hands-free calling still functioned. This typically indicated a codec compatibility issue between phone and vehicle.
Bluetooth Audio Skipping or Stuttering
Music streamed relatively smoothly but had occasional hiccups where the audio cut out briefly before resuming. Fluctuations in signal strength were likely the cause.
No Album Art or Metadata
The convenience of viewing song/artist info directly on your BMW’s display was lost, with no album artwork or metadata showing up. AVRCP profile compatibility glitches were suspected here.
Compatibility Mode Issues
In an attempt to improve connectivity, some 2020 BMW owners tried enabling different Bluetooth compatibility modes. However, this sometimes backfired and actually caused new problems like no audio streaming at all.
The key with compatibility modes is ensuring your phone and vehicle are set to use matching standards. Mismatched AVRCP versions, for example, could break media controls and metadata display.
Checking for BMW Software Updates to Fix 2020 Bluetooth Glitches
As you’ve likely noticed, many of the troubleshooting steps for 2020 BMW Bluetooth issues involve installing software updates for your vehicle’s iDrive system. Manufacturers like BMW frequently release patches to squash pesky connectivity bugs.
There are two main ways to update your BMW’s software:
Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates
Newer BMW models with cellular data connections can receive updates wirelessly. You’ll be prompted on your iDrive display when new software is available.
USB Updates
For BMWs without OTA functionality, you’ll need to download update files from BMW’s website onto a USB drive, then apply them through your vehicle’s USB port.
How you check for and install software updates depends on your specific BMW’s iDrive system version:
- iDrive 5/6: No wireless updates. Download to USB and update through settings menu.
- iDrive 7: Both USB and OTA wireless updates supported through Remote Software Upgrade.
- iDrive 8: OTA updates only, no USB option. Update prompted through Operating System notifications.
Be sure to set your BMW iDrive system to receive software update notifications, so you’ll know when new releases are available to patch any Bluetooth connectivity problems.
Final Checklist to Resolve 2020 BMW Bluetooth Faults
Before giving up and seeking professional assistance, run through this quick recap of the most effective tips for fixing various BMW Bluetooth problems experienced in 2020 models:
- Install any available software updates for your phone and BMW
- Remove all other paired devices and re-pair your phone fresh
- Disable WiFi on your phone before connecting Bluetooth
- Check your BMW’s microphone positioning if calls have poor quality
- Try completely resetting your vehicle’s Bluetooth module
- Confirm your phone and BMW use compatible Bluetooth standards
- For persistent issues, take your BMW to an authorized dealer for diagnosis
With patience and methodical troubleshooting, most temporary 2020 BMW Bluetooth glitches can be resolved through these basic steps. But some issues may still require expert hands.
Conclusion
BMW packed its 2020 lineup with cutting-edge tech, but their Bluetooth implementations weren’t without hiccups. From audio streaming troubles to call quality woes and random disconnects, bmw bluetooth problems in 2020 were prevalent across many models.
This guide has comprehensively covered all the major Bluetooth connectivity pain points 2020 BMW owners faced, along with targeted solutions to help you self-resolve each distinct issue through systematic troubleshooting like software updates, basic resets, and compatibility checks.
While frustrating in the moment, the majority of bmw bluetooth connectivity snags from 2020 can be remedied without professional assistance if you patiently work through the outlined steps for your specific scenario. But don’t hesitate to consult an authorized BMW technician if problems persist despite your best DIY efforts.
With the insight and tips provided here, you’re now better equipped to tackle and conquer any Bluetooth headaches your 2020 BMW may be dishing out. Regain full wireless audio streaming, call connectivity, and an overall enhanced infotainment experience in your luxury Bimmer.
