MMI / Stereo hangs when i start the car

[danmm7]

Car is 2011 S4 with about 75k miles. Standard, non-B&O stereo.

This issue started few months ago and it is slowly getting worse.

Basically, every time i start the car, for the first minute ... my MMI is either completely non-responsive (can't change tracks, can't change the volume, can't change media source, rear camera does not show) or VERY SLOW to respond. For example, if i start the engine and shift to Reverse, it take 10-15-20 seconds before the screen changes to the backup camera view. Sometimes, i would get my car out of the driveway, shift to 'drive' and then finally the backup camera view will come up. Huge delay.

Today, i lost audio 100%. Radio was on, both FM and Sirius responsive.... but there was NO sound coming from any of the speakers. Bluetooth sound was NOT working either.
I also noticed that choosing songs from my SD cards was very SLOW and pretty much impossible. The MMI was stuck on one song on the SD card and it could not be changed. Regardless of the audio source - FM, Sirius, CD, SD card, Jukebox - there was NO sound. I drove like this for 30+ minutes. I seriously though my amp died.
Well, i got home, turned off the engine. Waited 5 mins, started the car and the audio was back to normal. Like nothing ever happened!!
I could hear everything just fine. I still have the lag in the first 30 sec - 1 minute, but the sound works great. The Amp is clearly not dead.

While i was driving with no sound, i did a MMI reset/hard reboot TWICE - this did NOT help. No difference in behavior or responsiveness.


Any ideas why my MMI is so slow when i start the car? Anyone dealt with this issue before?

Any idea why i lost sound for such a long time today? Amp issue? Software issue? Wiring issue?


Thanks!

[wangshuo1989]

Sounds like your disk has some bad sectors. Unfortunately if that's the case, you only solution is go to dealer and get a replacement disk, which might be a lot of $$$$. You can try one thing if you can DIY though: Remove the disk from MMI, hook it to a windows PC and use DiskGenius to try to repair those bad sectors. If that works, get a new HD/SSD and clone your old disk to the new one and put it back. Hope this helps and good luck!

[jygesq]

Did you try an Mmi reboot. I do not know how to do it for your year, it involves holding in three buttons at same time. No costs , give it a try. Check your owner's manual for the procedure, or search function of this board.

[bakedziti]

Did you try an Mmi reboot. I do not know how to do it for your year, it involves holding in three buttons at same time. No costs , give it a try. Check your owner's manual for the procedure, or search function of this board.

In a B8 its the upper right hand button off of the scroll-wheel, the scroll wheel button, and the setup button simultaneously.
In a B8.5 its the upper right hand button off of the scroll-wheel, the scroll wheel button, and the menu button simultaneously.

[scottycs]

the mmi in my B8,5 Nav/B&O stereo is slow as hell at initial start up. phone doesn't even connect until 45+ seconds after starting car

[eightamrock]

the mmi in my B8,5 Nav/B&O stereo is slow as hell at initial start up. phone doesn't even connect until 45+ seconds after starting car

Ditto. I complained about the tech when I bought my b8.5. Super slow and glitchy. A reset of the MMI will fix most issues.

[mmm def]

Yup reset it

[Gunnark100]

No point to expect something magic from mmi in first 1-3 minutes anyway, all modules restarting that time, better not touch anything so soon, but if you running old sw like 110, i would update system anyway. I had good result updating my sw long time ago-changing/scrolling tracks on sd card and jukebox improved!

[shadycrew31]

Mine also has been getting slow, I have similar mileage but a 2010. I just chock it up to old electronics. On the bright side If it fails completely you can do the MMI upgrade :).

[jnicho1]

Also, as soon as you unlock the doors with the remote, the MMI starts to boot up. Definitely saves time when you get in the car.

[danmm7]

Did you try an Mmi reboot. I do not know how to do it for your year, it involves holding in three buttons at same time. No costs , give it a try. Check your owner's manual for the procedure, or search function of this board.

I did reboot the MMI twice yesterday.
It made no difference.

[danmm7]

No point to expect something magic from mmi in first 1-3 minutes anyway, all modules restarting that time, better not touch anything so soon, but if you running old sw like 110, i would update system anyway. I had good result updating my sw long time ago-changing/scrolling tracks on sd card and jukebox improved!

I hear what you're saying .... sounds like i am not the only one with these issues. But i find this delay in the MMI unacceptable for such new/modern car.

My 2005 Lexus SUV and 2008 Sienna van ...both have similar systems (navi, backup cameras, better Bluetooth, advanced stereos, etc) and both of them are SUPER fast to boot up and be ready to use within 5 seconds of the engine firing up. Never a freeze up, never weird behavior, no need to ever reboot. Both cars have DOUBLE the miles of my Audi. My old 2006 Acura RL also had one of the best and most responsive/intuitive Navi/audio systems I've ever used. I sold the car with 120k miles and never had a single issue.

Not sure what Audi's excuse is for the MMI (bad HDD, buggy software, needs reboots, etc) but it's truly embarrassing that they can't offer something a bit more stable and sophisticated. It's not like the S4 is a 18k cheap econo car.

[scottycs]

Doesnt help much. The MMI is painfully slow. My Mercedes is almost instant when connecting to bluetooth, etc.

Also, as soon as you unlock the doors with the remote, the MMI starts to boot up. Definitely saves time when you get in the car.

[Gunnark100]

Not sure what Audi's excuse is for the MMI (bad HDD, buggy software, needs reboots, etc) but it's truly embarrassing that they can't offer something a bit more stable and sophisticated. It's not like the S4 is a 18k cheap econo car.

Agreed, kind of PITA if for example bt modules failing on mmi or radio module etc....all system is dead, optical ring joy, not owner friendly at all - but good car anyway:). Update your soft, you should not loose nav database over this, but cant give you any warranty, that it will help or you may need install nav database after:(