Mazda CX-5 Radio Won't Turn Off - What Should I Do?

Normally, you just need to press the power button to turn off the radio of the Mazda CX-5. However, in case that doesn't work, you will need to reset the Mazda Connect. This will recalibrate the car's radio system back to how it originally was, resolving any technical issues it could have.

Infotainment glitch problems highlights

• Reasons:overheating, electrical damage, software problems, connection issues
• Quick fix:manual restart
• Price forrepair:$150 - $800
• Time forrepair:1 - 3 hours
• Howcommon:quite common for modern cars
• DIYrepair:sometimes possible

Mazda CX-5 Radio Won't Turn Off? This Is What You Do

Modern vehicles manufactured by Mazda all come equipped with Mazda Connect. This is the central system that allows you to perform and control many of your car's various features, like the entertainment system, which includes the car radio. So if it starts to lag or freeze up, it can be quite difficult to turn off the car radio like normal, requiring you to perform a reset.

To do this, you first need to locate where the music, navigation, and location buttons are. From there, you simply press all three buttons at once and hold them down for at least twenty seconds. Afterward, the Mazda Connect system should start rebooting itself.

Be warned, however, that doing this will also reset the changes you made in the infotainment and audio systems. So make sure to input your personal preferences after the reboot.

What If Resetting Didn't Help Turn Off the Mazda CX-5 Radio?

If the radio continues to stay on even after resetting the Mazda Connect, you may need a software update to resolve the issue. You simply have to go to the settings on the home screen of your Mazda Connect display.

From there, simply search for software updates to check if there's one available. Then, all you need to do is download the new update, and that should fix the issue.

What Causes a Car Radio to Stay on All the Time?

If neither resetting the Mazda Connect display nor downloading the system update helped, your Mazda CX-5 is most likely dealing with an issue that a lot of cars share in general. To identify which issue your car is facing, continue reading this section for more information.

1) Improperly Wired Head Unit

Wiring problems are the most common cause of radio problems. An improperly wired head unit can cause all sorts of problems, like the radio not working at all or refusing to turn off.

With the use of a voltmeter, check each wire and make sure that there's plenty of power coursing through it. If there's no reading or it shows any number besides 12 volts, then you will need to replace the wires. Make sure to connect them properly and securely when replacing them to avoid further issues.

2) Faulty Ignition Switch

If the car radio won't turn off, it's time to check the wires underneath. If the red wire is hot to the touch, then there's a constant supply of power coursing through it. That means there's a steady amount of electricity powering the car radio.

All you need to do is realign the ignition switch to prevent power from coursing through the wires. If the issue continues to persist, it's time to replace the ignition switch.

3) Worn Out Key/Ignition Cylinder

Over time, car keys and ignition cylinders will start to chip and wear out. When that happens, then the key can slip out. And when the key slips out while in the accessory position, then it will continue to supply power to your car's devices like the radio.

Making sure that the key is set to the off position before pulling out is a good way to deal with this issue. But if you find this a nuisance to do, replace the ignition cylinder and the car key to permanently fix the problem.

4) Damaged Door Switch

Most car doors come equipped with a door switch. Its main role is to communicate with your car's internal systems, shutting them off when the doors close.

So if the door switch gets damaged or ruined in any way, the car radio will continue to play. The only way to fix this is by replacing the damaged door switch.

How To Mute/Pause Mazda CX-5 Radio?

Want to mute/pause the radio? You first need to locate where the volume dial button is. Then, press it once, then release it. This will immediately mute the car radio.

Press it again to unmute the radio. For those with Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, or USB audio, you can mute the radio using these various systems as well.

How To Maintain Car Radio?

Proper installation is a must. If you want to avoid unwanted problems in the future, then make sure that all the wires are working properly. Or else your car radio will show signs of electrical issues shortly.

Next, make sure that there's a steady supply of power flowing through the wires of your radio. Because the car is always in motion when on the road, there's a chance that the ground wires could tangle with one another. When that happens, corrosion and other issues can cause intermittent power supplies.

Also, keep magnets as far away from the car radio as possible. Magnets can ruin and damage the electromagnet within the car radio. In addition, place the speakers on a non-metallic surface to avoid issues with the radio's electromagnet ruining the audio.

Lastly, you need to avoid abusing your car's radio system. The car radio has its limits when it comes to how loud it can get. Trying to go past that limit will cause the car radio to deteriorate very quickly.

Are There Car Radios Designed To Stay On?

Some car radios will continue to stay on for a set period after shutting down the engine. This feature is by design from the radio's car manufacturer.

Normally, these types of car radios will continue to play for five to ten minutes. Or they will shut off as soon as you get out of your car and close the doors.

So if the car radio continues to play past its usual duration or it doesn't shut off when the doors close, then there's likely to be an issue with either the radio or the door switch. In both cases, you need to visit an auto shop. Only a professional will be able to help you, as trying to do the repairs yourself will prove to be quite difficult.

If you want to test if your car radio is suffering from this issue, remove the keys and step out of your car with the radio playing. Then, close the door and keep track of how much time passes by using either a stopwatch or your phone.

After around five to ten minutes, the car radio will shut off by itself. If it doesn't, then you're likely dealing with this issue. 

First, you need to check the other parts of the radio system to see if everything checks out. If everything else is in good working condition, check the dome lights to see if they're on. That's a sign that there's something wrong with the door switch on your car.

Conclusion

While the Mazda CX-5 has many advantages and features that a lot of car owners sing the praises of, a radio that won't turn off is not one of them. Luckily, it's not that difficult to fix. All you need to do is either reset the Mazda Connect or update the software.

And if both options don't work, then you need to bring your car to an auto shop. A professional can help you identify the problem and offer you the proper solution.