Fix: ‘GPS signal lost on Android Auto’ issue

Fix ‘GPS signal lost on Android Auto’ issue. A great tool for drivers is Android Auto, which enables them to automate and simplify navigation by using their phone to power the infotainment system in their vehicle. It’s a convenient way to manage your music, GPS, messages, and phone calls, but when it malfunctions or runs into a bug, you might find yourself in a precarious situation.

Continue reading to learn more if you frequently experience lost GPS signals while using Android Auto, even if your phone has bars, or if Google Assistant doesn’t function as intended. The standard infotainment systems provided by automakers typically pale in comparison to Android Auto, which offers a wide range of apps and brings relevant information from your phone to the dashboard.

But when something goes wrong, you might need to take your attention away from the road to fix it, and regrettably, a significant portion of Android Auto users are currently having problems with GPS disconnection. In general, we have a tendency to assume things. Nevertheless, when GPS and navigational apps stop working, we quickly understand their importance. This frequently occurs because the GPS signal on your Android device keeps dissipating. Let’s look at the causes of this problem and how to Fix ‘GPS signal lost on Android Auto’ issue.

What is Android Auto?

In 2014, Android Auto was unveiled at Google I/O. Hyundai’s 2015 Sonata was the first vehicle to support it about a year later. Since then, the app has undergone a significant redesign and has received regular updates. More nations and numerous new makes and models now offer Android Auto. It now functions with almost all modern vehicles and gets frequent updates and new features. With Android Auto, your phone is connected to the in-car entertainment system. To reduce fiddling with a phone while driving, it can mirror the phone’s screen onto the display screen in the car. This enables drivers to control their phone using voice commands or the touchscreen.

There are two ways to use Android Auto in a vehicle. Both assist you in using your phone’s features while driving with the least amount of distraction. However, one offers a better overall experience. Android Auto is now standard equipment in the majority of vehicles. On more recent models, it might be accessible wirelessly or through a wired connection. In a few years, almost every new car will have it. Don’t give up if you drive an older model; you can add Android Auto to a vehicle that doesn’t already have it. It is a feature of numerous aftermarket stereo systems.

Why is GPS signal lost on Android Auto?

1. The most frequent cause of a lost GPS signal is poor GPS reception: The GPS signal may deteriorate or be interrupted if your smartphone or Android Auto head unit is situated somewhere where there are obstructive features to the sky, such as high buildings, tunnels, underground parking lots, or dense vegetation.
2. Software Bugs or Glitches: On occasion, GPS signal loss or inaccurate GPS data may be caused by software bugs or glitches in the Android Auto app or the GPS software.
3. Other electronic or wireless signals may interfere with GPS signals, causing them to become less accurate. For instance, a nearby Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signal that is strong can interfere with the GPS signal.
4. GPS signal loss can also be caused by hardware issues or problems: with the GPS sensor in your Android Auto head unit or smartphone.
5. Inaccurate Location Settings: Your device’s or the Android Auto app’s incorrect location settings could result in GPS inaccuracies or signal loss.

Fix: ‘GPS signal lost on Android Auto’ issue

Enable Google Location Accuracy

Your location services will be more accurate thanks to the Google Location Accuracy feature. The feature will estimate location data using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile Data, and GPS. Enabling Google Location Accuracy can be helpful if your location is not functioning accurately.

1. Open the Quick Settings panel on your Android device by swiping down.
2. To access the location settings, tap and hold the Location icon.
3. Tap Google Location Accuracy again to turn it on.

Clear Google Maps App Cache

The use of cache makes Android apps faster and more fluid by allowing for the quick retrieval of frequently accessed data. However, due to outdated data, the same cache can occasionally cause the app to become unstable. Clearing the cache in Google Maps fixes problems like GPS signal loss and automatically rebuilds the cache with the most recent data. Here’s how to clear Google Maps’ cache on an Android device.

1. On your device, go to Settings.
2. Navigate to the Apps & Notifications area.
3. Select Google Maps from the list and launch it.
4. Select Storage & Cache by tapping it.
5. At last, press the Clear Cache button.

Enable Location Permission for Google Maps

You must first enable the Location permissions for Google Maps on the device you typically use for navigation. However, Google Maps asks you to enable Location services before you begin your navigation. At all times while navigating, it is preferable to double-check that the application has permission to use location services. If an app is not opened for a prolonged period of time, the most recent versions of the Android operating system automatically remove the permissions granted. Your device’s location permission for Google Maps might have been revoked, in which case you will need to re-enable the permission.

1. Navigate to the Apps section in Settings.
2. Go to the drop-down menu and choose See All Apps.
3. Choose the Maps app from the list, or long-press the Maps icon on your home screen to access App Info instead.
4. Select the Location permission under Permissions.
5. Depending on your preference, choose either “Allow always” or “Allow only while using the app.”

Disable Battery Optimization for better GPS Signals

The battery optimization will limit the ability to receive GPS signals, which interferes with Google Maps’ functionality. It is preferable to disable the Maps’ battery optimization and allow it to make full use of its resources in order to deliver better and more accurate navigation.

1. On your device, go to Settings.
2. Go to the Apps & Notifications section.
3. Select Google Maps from the list and launch it.
4. Select “Battery” by tapping.
5. Remove all battery optimization restrictions for Google Maps in the Background restriction section.

Update Google Maps and Android Devices to the Latest Version

It’s possible that the software or your device has a small bug that can be fixed with a quick update. You can manually update both the device and Maps if you haven’t enabled automatic updates.

1. Navigate to Settings and select System.
2. A menu will appear; tap on the Advanced option, then choose System update.
3. If there are any pending updates for your device, click Install.
4. In the event that your device indicates that “Your system is up to date,” select “Check for Update” to see if any fresh updates are available.

Wait for the Network Coverage to Improve

Multiple space-based satellites send the GPS signals to your device. They travel a long way to get to your smartphone, where they provide precise real-time navigation. These GPS signals may be weak or lost while traveling in some areas because of a variety of things, including tall structures, mountains, dense forest cover, GPS service outages, extreme weather conditions like heavy rain, interference from other electronic devices or radio signals, etc.

1. In these circumstances, it may be challenging for your device to receive GPS signals from satellites, and as a result, Google Maps and Android Auto display the GPS Signal Lost message.
2. It is always preferable to wait for the problem to get better on its own for a few seconds.
3. However, if the GPS Signal Lost error still appears on your device even after two minutes and you’ve pointed it at a clear sky, there may be a problem with your device’s settings.
4. In that case, you should try one of the additional solutions listed below to resolve the GPS Signal Lost notification.

Conclusion

Many drivers in the modern world rely on Android Auto’s convenience to navigate, stream music, and receive notifications while they are driving. However, it can be annoying and possibly dangerous when using Android Auto and you experience a lost GPS signal or an unresponsive Google Assistant. Fortunately, you can resolve this problem in a few different ways. We’ll walk you through some troubleshooting techniques in this guide to help you regain your GPS signal or get Google Assistant back up and running in Android Auto.

Questions and Answers