Audi Q7 MMI Not Working - Locating and Solving the Problem

Your MMI may not be working in the Audi Q7 because it glitched and needs a reset, or it was damaged by water, electrical short, heat, or other factors. In most cases, you will need to repair or replace the MMI, but sometimes a simple reset will work.

Screen problems highlights

• Reasons:screen death, connections, physical damage, high voltage, glitch
• Quick fix:reset the system, check power, check fuse, check wiring
• Price forrepair:$0 - $1,000
• Time forrepair:0.5 - 3 hours
• Howcommon:quite common
• DIYrepair:possible

How MMI works in your Audi Q7?

The Q7 had a really powerful infotainment system from the very beginning. This was a luxury full-size SUV and its buyers just didn't want anything worse than that. But now I understand that exactly the owners of the 2010-2014 Audi Q7 suffer because of a lot of problems with the MMI. Also, the newer Q7 SUVs are affected by these issues, but in newer cars, Audi tried to address these problems.

So, the MMI is basically the separate computer in your vehicle that works for enhanced information and proper entertainment in your Audi Q7. It relies on its own control unit, has some built-in memory, CPU, etc. All these modules can malfunction and cause problems, especially after you use them daily for 7-10 years or more. It's like using your laptop for 10 years and expecting that it will work like new.

But the difference between a laptop and an Audi MMI system is that replacing the latter will cost you really a lot of money and you are limited to only one version while buying a new laptop gives you much more freedom. So, the problem is expected even though it always comes unexpectedly.

What are the common problems that make your MMI stop working?

In your Audi Q7, the MMI system (or Multi-Media Interface) may stop working with your help or just because its time has ended. The average lifespan of MMI systems in Audi cars is about 10 years, but the Q7 MMI is a little worse in terms of durability because it has better features and uses more complicated software and hardware than in other models.

So, here are some reasons for the non-working MMI in the Audi Q7 of any generation and year:

1. Water damage - even a drop can kill it

You may have been drinking your morning coffee in a car and speaking to someone on the phone or arguing with your child that didn't stop misbehaving in the rear seat. Suddenly you made a weird move with your hand and some coffee spilled directly onto the screen of the infotainment system.

Another example - you got under heavy rain and quickly ran into the car to avoid being socked to the bones. You made a careless move and some drops of water from your jacket or from the umbrella got onto the MMI.

That's enough to make it die in two or three days. Really, the MMI system in your Audi Q7 is so afraid of water that it seems to be able to die even if one drop gets on the glass. So, be careful with water in your Q7 if you don't want to invest in the new MMI or in the repair of the system.

One more reason for the water damage is the sunroof leak and it was reported many times in Audi forums, so this seems like a common problem.

2. Overheating and dying

Just treat your MMI system in the car as the little computer. Have you seen that large amount of dust that builds up on all panels in your Audi after a week of driving? Some of this dust gets directly into the MMI system and clogs its cooling system. So, the parts like the CPU or memory start warming up to higher temperatures when the system is active.

After some time, this will lead to a complete death of the system. But before this, it will start glitching like crazy. One of the clear signs that the MMI is overheated is the high temperature of the touch screen and also the very slow reaction to your commands.

If the MMI is heavily overheating, one of the possible solutions is to take it apart and clean the system till it completely dies. Of course, I don't think this is a DIY repair - you better ask a professional to do this.

3. Glitchy software

If your MMI is not working or is doing some weird things, you may also decide that the software is glitchy. It may just be outdated and may function with some errors. In this case, I recommend you go to the Audi dealership and ask them if they have any updates for the version of the MMI software that is installed in your Q7. If they have something like this, you can install the updates and see if this helps.

Some Audi dealerships will be glad to help you at no charge if you are the client of the dealership. But if you maintain and repair your Q7 elsewhere, you will probably need to pay some money for the software updates.

And yes, unfortunately, resetting will not help but you may try. Find on the internet how you should reset your version of the MMI and give it a try.

4. Wiring and connections problems

After you've driven your Q7 off the road or on some bad roads, the connections in the MMI may have suffered. This is possible for older cars with high mileage that may also have corrosion in MMI connections.

To check this, you will need to take the MMI off which is not the easiest task but still possible to do on your own. Then disconnect every connector you see in the back part of the infotainment system and look at the connection. Is it dark brown or black? Does it have any light buildup on it? It's corroded and needs cleaning.

If it's OK, reconnect the cables and try switching on the MMI. Move the connectors and see if it helps.

5. Fuse - golden rule to check first

I hope you didn't take your MMI apart until you read to this part of the article. Your MMI has a separate fuse and it can be just blown. The symptom of this is quite simple - the MMI doesn't turn on at all, and the screen is black whatever you do.

The most obvious location of this fuse is in the fuse box on the left side of the front panel in the interior of your Q7 but I'm not sure and the internet is giving misleading advice about it. Maybe, the fuse can locate in different places in various model years. Sorry, but I don't have the opportunity to check the Audi Q7 right now, so I will try to update this part when I finally get my hands on this vehicle.

6. Amplifier problems - no sound

Hundreds of older Q7 SUVs had problems with OEM amplifiers. They are Bose amplifiers that are located in the trunk, on the right side. You will easily locate it and even take it off on your own. But the problem is that repairing the amplifier is almost impossible and you will need to buy the new one.

The common reason for its death is usually water damage from wet things in your trunk.

The common solution is to buy the new amplifier and get your sound back into the Q7. It may cost you about $1,400 new OEM, so people always try to find used amplifiers on eBay or anywhere else.

This thing is worth checking before you go to the dealership. Amplifiers in Q7 models are known to be really faulty.

What should you do if the MMI is not working in your Audi?

First of all, check for any possible leaks that could cause water damage to the MMI unit in your car. Then, check the fuses. If the screen is not working, just check the fuse of the MMI system. But if the screen goes on and off or just the sound is not working, you may need to check the fuses for the amplifier, speakers, and all other equipment connected to the MMI.

After that, if nothing helps, you may need to check the amplifier. If it works, the best thing you can do is to take the MMI off the vehicle and investigate the possible problems.

Unfortunately, the simple reset is not likely to work, in this case. You will need to find the reason why the screen is malfunctioning.

If nothing helps, you should go to the Audi dealership - these guys are good at diagnosing MMI systems, so they will locate the problem. Then you can make up your mind whether you want them to repair the system or maybe some other guys. But you will know the reason for the issue, anyway.