2018 Toyota TRD 4Runner head unit stuck in a boot loop.

Yesterday everything was fine until it wasn't. At one point I got in to leave and this is what my head unit started doing. It appears to be stuck on boot up and keeps trying like there is a corrupt file.
This is not the premium head unit with Entune suite and apps. It is the basic TRDOR unit without built in navigation.
I have tried the hold down power button to reset, disconnected battery for 15 minutes, pulled radio fuse for 8+ hours, etc. etc.
Everyone keeps saying it needs to be updated by myself or the dealer but you can't update a stereo that won't boot up. You can't get to the update screen and as far as I know this had the latest update already as it auto updates.
I know there is a TSB from Toyota but it appears to address random reboots of the Entune system, not a constant boot loop of the base system, and their fix is to update the software which can't be done.
If you have any ideas of something to try I'm all ears. Would love to just make this work without spending money on a new head unit if possible.

[@DudeGuyWho]

Toyota needs to issue a recall - it is obviously systemic.

[@JustDrewski]

Solution Found: 2017 4Runner driving and suddenly head unit went into this mode same as the video. Tried the solutions in the video and realized why hold the “app” button. Press the power button and hold till head unit powers off. I held the power till the unit reset 5x then release. After doing this twice (total 10x) it worked. Bluetooth works. All settings saved. Maybe it’ll work for you.

[@JustDrewski]

Update: has happened twice since. Solution I posted works about 30%

[@sibymw]

It worked for my 2015 Camry hybrid. Pressed apps button and power button for 10 secs. It rebooted several times and released. Then off and on the car. The screen came up with factory settings. Thank you

[@4mdt21]

Thank you legend!!!

[@patricelee7665]

What's the app button

[@FtLivingRoomHomestead]

Just happened to me this morning otw to work in my 2019 Highlander. After doing searches, it appears this is a common problem. Hoping to find a fix. There are more important things to have to spend money on in 2023.

[@paigejohanson8310]

This happened to my car once and I found on KZbin 1 person that actually knew how to fix but I don't remember. I would just Google until you find the video that helped me

[@mazinalismaili]

Please share it if you find it. Thanks

[@vanessamariposalove]

this is sort of my problem after I replaced the battery. radio works by using steering wheel buttons. back camera works.

[@I_Timono]

I suggest filing a class action lawsuit against Toyota. they should issue a recall to replace the software. I also think Sirius XM has something to do with it because I didn't buy a Sirius XM subscription and this problem occurred. I'm not a lawyer, but I think we can do it.

[@TommieBattle]

this is happening in my 2015 Sienna now. I'm sick about it. Any help is welcome.

[@thayingxiong5975]

On my 5hr long road trips ive notice it would reboot like twice, going to and coming back from. Any suggestion

[@hendersonm.h2904]

My 2005 Highlander having the same exact issues just bought it yesterday any suggestions on fixing it?

[@abellerma9774]

So I had the same problem with my wife’s 2021 Toyota Highlander and I tried everything and finally got it fixed by turning on the car and putting it on reverse for like 5 minutes and then I parked it and tried turning on the radio again and it worked! Hope this helps you guys! Forgot to mention that I had a new battery installed and the problem happened after the installation but putting it on reverse worked.

[@refolden]

You sir are the real MVP... I searched blogs videos Google, turn my lights on and off three times while holding the app button... This is the only thing that worked

[@abellerma9774]

That’s awesome! Glad it worked for you too👍

[@kiettakikibaby7587]

I'm going to try this.

[@kiettakikibaby7587]

It worked!!! Thank you

[@abellerma9774]

Nice 👍 Glad it worked

[@simplyb963]

I have a 2017 Tacoma same problem. It not only gets stuck in re -boot but when it looks like it is unstuck I can move to the audio screens but no sound on Bluetooth and the fm am radio touch doesn’t work. I called the dealership and asked about a recall and for them to look at it is as much as a new one.

[@JAM76ER]

Get the Kenwood replacement. It’s nicer then the Alpine

[@CarlosRamirez-wm3jt]

could you fix this problem? I have the same one a year ago and I have not been able to solve it, there are several reviews on KZbin but none give a solution

[@poochfazos]

been dealing with this since I got my car 8 months ago 😮‍💨

[@wickedwonderingdream]

Mines doing the same on a forerunner limited just bought it yesterday. Did you ever resolve it?

[@thomasohara3041]

I’m very unlucky the radio in my 2015 Subaru outback, will not turn on it’s not at the screen is broken the lights will not turn on

[@jkapp374]

I have a 2017 Camry and it's doing the EXACT SAME THING... It just started doing this 2 days ago, out of nowhere Interested to learn an economical way to fix this

[@DudeGuyWho]

Mine was updated at Toyota - problem restarted shortly after. Still stuck rebooting periodically.

[@josegomez4189]

Putting it in reverse def worked for me

[@a-rod279]

Yaris IA with same problem and Dealer said the update some time work sometime don’t

[@funkbirdporchcreekmusic5864]

I have a 2015 camry keeps re-booting..has no apps button..any ideas?

[@davidgoldberg7166]

Currently have this issue. It’s currently on timeout with the fuse out. Did you find a solution??

[@TwistedJake]

Unfortunately no. Ended up replacing with another good unit.

[@shayy2409]

@@TwistedJake how much it?

[@REHNEET]

I am having the same issue on my 2015 Toyota Camry hybrid. The stereo is stuck on Toyota logo. FM is working in background, backup camera is working. Please help?

[@shabrienelson8149]

Me too on my 2014 Camry , any luck ?

[@jerryhicks7197]

Me too on a 2014.5 Camry XLE Hybrid

[@user-cn3id3uh1m]

Hi guys, did you resolve this problem?

[@paigejohanson8310]

Dude this is a huge fucking toyota problem. I have a 2014 toyota 4runner and my stereo goes in and out all the time, MT backup camera just won't work 40% of the time. This should be a recall

[@lloydf6671]

I have a 2020 Sienna that just did this yesterday. I had an accident and just got it back from the body shop. The unit worked fine after the accident and for 2 days after I got it back from the body shop. They mentioned they took the computer out, not sure which computer they were talking about but now my console is doing exactly what yours is doing. Please comment if you have fixed yours and how and i will do the same if yours still ain't fixed.

[@TwistedJake]

Unfortunately I was never able to fix it and ended up replacing the unit. Luckily a subscriber had one they just removed and made me a great deal.

[@lahcenehakimi5474]

Thanks Jake, how did you find the subscriber if you don’t mind me asking?

[@stevenbaltazar1001]

Mine literally just did this. It was stuck in boot. Now it doesn't even do that

[@petertetukevich5437]

Try taking out the NAV micro SD card. It worked on my 2018 4runner.

[@grapeape4208]

People keep saying that the fuse did not work. But mine did this and I only pulled the fuse for about 10 minutes, after putting it back in, it worked as normal

[@ivanblanco3732]

Wich fuze was it??

[@kyruntyree3891]

Which fuse?

[@funkbirdporchcreekmusic5864]

What model and year?..you remove the under hood fuse or inside fuse..need more info..thanks

[@lahcenehakimi5474]

Have the same issue in my 16 Camry today!!! Don’t know what to do?!

[@urdead7942]

Same with my 17

[@user-cn3id3uh1m]

Hi guys did you resolve this problem?

[@LUCIOUS1025]

2016 Camry, stuck on Toyota Emblem screen, back camera works, radio works, but stuck on 1 station, will try fuses and battery disconect and will uodate results

[@michaelatwood2368]

any luck?

[@user-cn3id3uh1m]

Hi guys, did you resolve this problem?😊

[@jennynroger1]

I have a 2015 Highlander. It's stuck on Toyota logo it plays one channel for radio. I have no Bluetooth I do have backup camera. I do have CD player. But I can't change the channel on CD player I can't change the channel on the radio. Has anybody come to a conclusion on how to fix this!!

[@cmj2072]

I think this is how Toyota is fleecing more money out of Toyota buyers... The same thing with LG refrigerators is happening

[@raydiaz140]

2018 tacoma keeps going on and out of this screen.

[@bennyhayesss]

2018 toyota CHR same issue

[@davidwerschay2065]

Any luck anyone? I have same thing happening on 2014 4Runner.

[@warmon6]

i would say try kicking it... That always fixes a pc... jk jk Sorry I dont have any other idea than replacement. ( You've already done what I would do to reset any electronic so nothing more I can add here.)

[@TwistedJake]

Trust me, I want to kick it. I drive about 70 miles a day and not having bluetooth or music sucks.

[@sivyisvaj8054]

Boot of death mean you got fuck and get to pay Toyota $1000+. 😪

[@freddymelara882]

Please report Toyota to the NHTSA!!! This is apart of the department of transportation!!! I just did it online!!!!

[@lahcenehakimi5474]

I second you on that, but what a safety administration could impact Toyota!!

[@I_Timono]

I suggest filing a class action lawsuit against Toyota.

[@arciv7851]

same problem as 2015 hilux

[@iyana03]

Please I have 2014 Corolla

[@MadisonBeaird]

Having the same problem in my 2018 sr5. Back camera works. Anybody else?

[@tima858]

2014 4Runner Sr5 screen went black and speakers don’t work, back up cam works just fine. Been trying to research the internet for any fixes. Really don’t want to pay 1000 dollars for a new system. Might look at after market ones with apple play that are cheaper than a new stock one.

[@petertetukevich5437]

Owner of 2018 TRD OffRoad premium. I'm on my second head unit first one went black and didn't work at all except backup camera. It was still under warranty at the time. Toyota replaced it. Now it is constantly rebooting its unusable. I factory reset it cleared all info phones are all deleted. No Apple phones ever connected to it. Did the reverse trick didn't do anything it kept shutting down as I sat there in reverse. Checked battery cables all good there. Going to check battery sensor tomorrow because I ran an OBD II scan and a P1551 code came up. Hopefully it's just a sensor with low voltage. Will change that first before buying a new unit. This is totally ridiculous that all these Toyotas have the same problem.

[@RedDevilTuning]

Try this option that I have had most luck with getting units out of boot loop regardless of brand/make. Take out the headunit of the car. Run positive from a small 12V battery (I used a spare 12V UPS battery), or you could just run the wires to your car battery to the yellow and red wire of the headunit together and the black to ground. Nothing else to the rest of the terminals, just power and ground and it should resolve it.

[@mattpettigrew4802]

Could you offer more detailed instructions ? I can’t follow your advice, need step by step instructions please

[@serendipityguy]

Maybe a fuse? Check all fuses

[@TwistedJake]

It's not fuses.

[@tn_bluestem]

It's a brick

[@jfoligno3682]

Smae for me on my 2015 rav 4 ....this is bullshit

[@m.b.3916]

I have a 2017 yaris iA and my screen is just stuck on the car icon, which is what normally displays before the screen brings up the main menu… reverse camera turns on but thats about it, can’t even listen to music now

[@user-cn3id3uh1m]

Hi, did you resolve this problem?

[@zairagaleas]

This is happening to my car right now!! Did you end up fixing the issue😕

[@user-cn3id3uh1m]

@@zairagaleas I bought replacement for $165, but still didn’t install it