Tech Tip Tuesday - Volume Control for Lexus Navigation and Voice Commands

Hop in a 2020 RX and 2020 GX to see the two main layouts for Voice Volume in your Lexus. Did you know that the system volume is controlled in a completely different way from the radio and phone volume? Follow this tutorial to learn more.

[@mellowjammer]

Hi Melissa, great explanation. But what frustrates me in my 2020 RX350 is that if you are using navigation and listening to music, the system does not mute or reduce the music volume when the navigation voice command is being given. In my 2008 Infiniti the system mutes the front speakers temporarily so that so you don't miss a command. I could crank the navigation voice volume in the RX up to 7 but hearing it while music is playing is just confusing. And when music isn't playing, volume setting 7 is unnecessarily loud. I sure hope that Lexus fixes this in an upcoming software update.

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hey mellowjammer. I know what you mean that can be frustrating. I'm not sure what kind of phone you have, but I do like that with Apple Car Play in the NAV apps (Apple, Google and Waze) the music is paused or muted when the instructions are given. Have you tried using Apple Car Play or Android Auto to see if one of those setup is better for you? I've gotten to where I am using it all the time now and really like it. Hopefully the iOS or app developers won't ever change that ;-P Hope this helps :)

[@mellowjammer]

@@NorthsideLexus I have a Samsung Galaxy phone so i can try that method but I wish the nav system that I paid good money for would do that on it's own without having to hook up my phone. Let's hope instead that Lexus engineers fix this in a future software update :-)

[@molife1991]

My 2021 IS still has this same problem. I can barely hear the navigation voice when listening to the radio and/or my music when my Samsung cellphone is hooked up. VERY FRUSTRATING!!

[@awol8725]

@@NorthsideLexus I have the same issue as mellowjammer in our 2020 RX350. I have even taken it back to the dealership to fix - to no avail. I use Apple CarPlay with Waze and when the Waze prompts come on, the music doesn't lower in volume. The same iPhone, using the same Waze app in my truck works perfect. Have you been able to find out any more about this issue since the last post?

[@NorthsideLexus]

@@awol8725 Hi Alex, I haven't done any additional troubleshooting on this in a while, but I'm happy to work on it and will get back to you all. Getting access to a comparable system as the 2020 RX could take some time with the inventory challenges we are having, but I will also ask the Lexus Inner Circle group I'm in and see if anyone has a pre-owned on their lot to try. Thanks for staying tuned!

[@kimmyers7706]

I just purchased a 2020 Lexus ES 350, when I make a phone call, they can hear me, but I can barely hear them in the car. I didn't have this problem on my 2014, so I am clueless with all the things to monitor on this car.

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Kim. The audio volume settings are all independent of one another. Make a call, get the call going, then adjust the volume on the side of your phone to the max, even if the volume is already to the max for other calls. This is a new Bluetooth pairing source and volume will need to be set for it. Once you max out the volume on the side of the phone, while a Bluetooth call is in progress, then you can adjust the call volume on the car even more if needed. I hope this solves it for you. Thanks for being here.

[@Derisavi]

Dear, my announce date on starting the car, gone wrong. How can i update the time and date of the gps on my lexus is300 2008 model.. thank you.

[@NorthsideLexus]

hi! It sounds like you may need to check with your Lexus service department to see if it is possible to bring the NAV software up to date for your year model. You can also check the Detailed NAVi settings in the NAV menu, but updates would need to be done through service if available. Thanks for checking in.

[@kurator80]

Hello I have Lexus is250 voice sometime doesn’t work ??thnks

[@NorthsideLexus]

Congrats on your IS250! Sorry to hear that you're having trouble with the voice commands. Maybe this tutorial will help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oKrHo6CijaqEgMU

[@WSAONE]

What about increasing the volume when on a call phone call?

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi! All Bluetooth and wirelessly connected volumes are controlled separately now. If you are using a navigation app from your phone you will need to adjust the audio customizations in that app and control the volume first on the phone. Then you can see if additional volume control is available through the volume dial on the vehicle. I hope this helps!

[@scottpisula6326]

Hi Melissa, I have a 2020 UX 250 H and utilize an iPhone 12 pro in the car. The problem I randomly experience is no volume control at all on either the phone or the main volume control dial in the car usually happens when playing KZbin shorts and not while listening to regular youtube video music. The volume goes to maximum output and is uncontrollable to my best efforts. Please advise

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Scott! Yes, I have had this same issue in my 2020 NX. it seems to be a phone connection issue and if I am using Apple CarPlay sometimes I can unplug and replug the phone and that resolves it, but if you are driving and can't deal with the cord and press and hold your radio power/volume dial until the whole system turns off and back on. This is the easiest way of doing a soft reset for the entire head unit and it can clear up a lot of little phone connection issues. Then when you can, make sure to power you phone off and back on and you can always refresh the Bluetooth pairing if you need to. I think the Bluetooth pairings can get a little buggy after multiple iOS updates, but I'm not an Apple expert so I can't guarantee that is what it is ;) I hope this helps! Thanks for being here!

[@tthammock]

Do you have any older videos for 2015 nx2002t?

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Tommy. We have a lot of different videos over the past 8 years. Many of them will apply to your vehicle. Are you looking for help with specific features? I'm happy to send you some links. Thanks so much for watching.

[@LottooFC1]

Hey, good to see good videos like this one coming from you. I just bought my 2020 lexus Rx350 and the microphone is not working. It shows this message every time I press on the command button "microphone is not connected". Any idea if this can be fixed using the service menu? If so, how to enter the service menu in the new lexus models?

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi @Lottoo Sorry to hear that you're having mic trouble. Keep in mind the 202 RX has regular Lexus voice commands that operate with a push and release of the Voice Command button and the car also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto they both work by pushing and holding the voice command button with the phone plugged in to one of the USB ports under the arm rest. I have seen where the voice commands will not work correctly if you push and hold the button when Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are not in use. If that doesn't take care of the issue, I would definitely contact your Service Department for more help. Best of luck on this.

[@dougmeloni4678]

Thanks! On your first example, I have a 2022 RX450h and can’t eliminate the voice completely, only provides 1-7 settings. Any other options to remove voice guidance? None of the other settings (enable/disable) worked successfully.

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Doug, If you want to mute NAV guidance, just click on the mute button on the left side of the Map screen, just above the plus sign, when you have a route in the system. Hope this helps. Thanks for watching!

[@LorenClive]

I have a 2017 nx 200t. I want to adjust the BONK noise that the vehicle emits every time I end a call. It is so loud it startles me every time! How can I do this? Thank you

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Loren, I haven't heard anyone mention the hang up sound being louder than the normal phone sounds. Here are a couple of things to try: 1. If you are hanging up by clicking on the hang-up button the screen, try using the phone button on the steering wheel to end the call. 2. Explore the settings options: Menu > Setup > General > try turning Selector Sound, Pointer Sound and or Error Sound to Off. Hopefully one of those options will solve the mystery. Thanks very much for tuning in with me!

[@skylarstarks]

When the onboard voice through navigation or voice command speaks can I adjust the volume as she speaks and when/if I can is that the permanent change or must I go into setup and change it there for that voice volume to stick?

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hey @Skylar! Great to see you on here :) You're correct the onboard system has a primary volume control in the Setup - Voice - Voice Volume. However, depending on the year of your vehicle you might have a mute soft button right on the map screen. What model and year is your Lexus? I can do some research for you and let you know.

[@rajk5035]

Hi. On the 2021 model, is there any way to completely mute the Sat Nav commands, rather than just turning the volume down to 1 (where the commands can still be heard)?

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Raj, You can mute the native Lexus installed NAV right on the screen on most 2021 Lexus models. The GX and LX are the exceptions. They require you to turn the Voice Off in Setup. Menu > Setup > Voice > Voice Volume > Off Hope this helps. Thanks very much for tuning in!

[@kitaasbill5686]

How can i adjust the incoming text sound? Drives me crazy. I’d like to turn it off.

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Kita, I would need more information to answer your question. What model and year is your Lexus? Do you have navigation? Generally speaking, you will need to go to Setup > Phone > and look for Messaging settings. Then make your customizations. Hope this helps.

[@xMODERNxNOOBx]

I have a Lexus is300 2021 my audio on my screen says off . How can I turn it on

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Gabriel, if your screen says "Audio Off" it just means that the sound system has not been powered on. Use the power/volume dial, press to turn it on or off. Here's our Deep Dive tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYWZeWafYrx2etE I hope it is helpful for you. Thanks for tuning in with us.

[@xMODERNxNOOBx]

@@NorthsideLexus didn’t work

[@xMODERNxNOOBx]

I feeling it has to do something within my settings . My speakers work . When I click Audio on the lower right corner it says audio off

[@NorthsideLexus]

@@xMODERNxNOOBx If powering on the sound system doesn't clear the "Audio Off" message, then I would bring the car in for Service. When the power for the radio is on, that message should clear and you should see the information about the selected audio source. Hope this helps.

[@ignaszdanovicius5374]

Hey. I have a problem in my lexus gs450h 2007, when I turn it up to 45-50 volume, it makes crackle noise and turns off, I lover the volume to 40 and it works perfectly, what might be the problem?

[@NorthsideLexus]

I ignas, I'm sorry to hear that. It sounds like it could be a wiring or speaker issue. I am not a Technician so I can't give you troubleshooting ideas for this. I would have your Lexus Service department take a look at it. All the best.

[@Derisavi]

one of your speakers gone bad, if tou have mark levinson sound system then one if your speakers is fake because the system detects it and this is how it does

[@VP48]

Hi good video, I have a 2020 es350 and when I listen to the radio while using the navigation and the voice from the navigation comes on it will not turn the radio volume off. How can I fix this?

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi MD. The NAV voice will slightly lower the volume of the radio, but it won't mute it like a phone call will. Unfortunately there isn't a setting for that. You can mute the NAV guidance from the Map screen, but not the radio. Let me know if I can help with any other questions. Thanks so much for watching.

[@lennygarcia3248]

I needed help with being heard on a phone call in my Lexus car. I paired my phone to the car but when I call, I can hear the person on the other side but they can’t hear me. What do I do?

[@NorthsideLexus]

Hi Lenny, We are seeing a lot of people with this issue after phone iOS/OS updates. It seems like the volumes have been reset for some functions. Keep in mind all audio volumes are separate (Bluetooth calls, texts, Siri, NAV apps, Bluetooth audio for music, etc.) Just get your sound source going, in this case make a phone call with Bluetooth, then start turning up the phone volume on the actual phone with the volume side buttons. Make sure to turn it all the way up. Then you can control it even more with the car's volume dial for the radio or the volume buttons on the steering wheel. Hope this helps you out. Thanks for tuning in!

[@michellesteffano8202]

I found the fix! You have to be on the phone to see the option tho. So while you’re on the phone, press Menu button, go to Phone, then on the right hover on the speaker icon and select Transmit Volume and turn it up.

[@projectdarla8951]

What about cell phone audio? On 2021 Rx350

[@NorthsideLexus]

Select Bluetooth Audio as your Source for audio content from your paired smart phone. Here's the full tutorial for the 21 RX: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6vFo6GCjJWEqtk Hope this helps!