Rivian Owner's In-Vehicle WiFi and Emergency Button Malfunction, Leaving Them Unable to Stream Music or Adjust Network Preferences
Rivian owners, like Michi, have been experiencing connectivity issues with their vehicles, which prevent them from accessing music streaming services, SOS functionality, and managing WiFi settings. These problems can be concerning, especially when venturing out into rural areas or using the vehicle for camping, hiking, or off-road exploration.
The root cause of these connectivity issues may lie in the failure of the vehicle's communications module or internal networking hardware. This module is responsible for maintaining the vehicle's internet connection and emergency response network.
Troubleshooting Steps
To troubleshoot WiFi and SOS button issues in Rivian electric vehicles, the primary step is to perform a hard reset of the vehicle's communication module. To execute this reset, long-press simultaneously the leftmost steering wheel button and the hazard lights button for a few seconds. This process has resolved the problem for several Rivian owners experiencing loss of WiFi and SOS functionality.
If the hard reset does not restore WiFi or SOS capabilities, it often indicates that the communications module has failed. Since both WiFi and SOS rely on this module to connect to the internet and emergency services networks, a failure would disable them. Unfortunately, replacing or repairing this module requires a visit to a Rivian service center, as typical owners cannot fix this issue themselves.
A Call for Improved Support
Rivian, as a company, needs to address these types of issues through more robust support, faster parts availability, and proactive software stability improvements. This issue is not unique to Michi, as similar connectivity problems have been reported by other Rivian owners.
As the EV world continues to evolve, the more software-driven these vehicles become, the more vulnerable they are to system-level failures that are difficult or impossible for the average driver to fix. It's crucial for manufacturers like Rivian to prioritise the development of reliable and user-friendly solutions to ensure the safety and convenience of their customers.
For Michi, the WiFi settings in their Rivian are greyed out, indicating they cannot be selected, reset, or reconnected. Their Rivian service appointment is not until September 15th, leaving them with limited functionality for over a month. Many Rivian owners use their vehicles to plan long-distance road trips using Rivian's trip planner or third-party charging maps, so losing access to these features can be a significant inconvenience.
In summary, troubleshooting steps for WiFi and SOS button issues in Rivian electric vehicles include attempting a hard reset and seeking professional help if the reset fails. As the EV world continues to grow, it's essential for manufacturers to prioritise the development of reliable and user-friendly solutions to ensure the safety and convenience of their customers.
- Michi struggles to use various smartphone applications within their Rivian, particularly music streaming services, due to the connectivity issues.
- The integration of gadgets like smartphones with Rivian's technology, such as WiFi settings, SOS functionality, and third-party charging maps, contributes to an enhanced user experience, making the connectivity problems even more frustrating.
