USB disconnects randomly

Tommy Wade · April 13, 2021

I'm sure this topic is out here, but I couldnt find it.

I currently own a 2016 Silverado LTZ Z71 and before this I had a 2010 Camaro and both had this issue. I typically plug my phone into the truck so I can access GPS apps on my phone, listen to music, and charge the thing at the same time. Most of the time it works well enough, but so many times I'll be driving along talking on the phone or listening to music and the phone will disconnect saying "USB not connected" or something. This plays hell with phone calls as I now have to physically unplug the phone from the truck and change the phone audio back to the truck using Bluetooth...all very safe to be doing while driving. I am not able to plug it back in because for some reasons the phone will not reconnect at this time. I have to hang up the call to do this.

On rare occasion( has happened 3 times in 3 years) my entire console screen will just go black and come back up a minute or so later. I don't know if this could be related or if it is it's own issue.

Has anyone found out why Chevy's tend to do this or even the more elusive unicorn here...a way to fix it?

MikeBMW · April 13, 2021

This appears to be more of an issue with the current firmware installed on your phone, TBH.

Tommy Wade · April 14, 2021

Possibly Iphones in general, but between the two vehicles I've probably had 6 different phones...all iPhones though

MikeBMW · April 14, 2021

14 minutes ago, Tommy Wade said:

Possibly Iphones in general, but between the two vehicles I've probably had 6 different phones...all iPhones though

Indeed. I've been on iPhones since they first came out in 2007 and I am an iPhone developer and as I go through the various betas and see the results, at times the blue tooth connectivity can be problematic.
I am, currently on the 14.5 beta 8 (just came out today), but I use Apple Car Play for my Chevy - no issues.
Which iOS version are you currently using?

Edited April 14, 2021 by MikeBMW

Tommy Wade · April 14, 2021

Looks like 14.4.2

MikeBMW · April 14, 2021

2 minutes ago, Tommy Wade said:

Looks like 14.4.2

That should be OK.
Have you reset your iPhone recently? (turn it off and back on)
Which version of iPhone do you have?

Tommy Wade · April 14, 2021

Iphone 11I reset it usually once every week or two

GrumpyAeroGuy · April 14, 2021

Dumb, innocent question....

Have you tried s new USB cable?

I have had those go caddy-whompus on occasion...

(Just trying to help, sometimes the problem is the least obvious?)

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

MikeBMW · April 14, 2021

2 minutes ago, Tommy Wade said:

Iphone 11I reset it usually once every week or two

That's a good practice when you have issues - as with all phones.
As far as your blue tooth issues, do you have another bluetooth device you normally connect to in your truck while your on your phone?
When I drive my BMW to work (it's a 1990 and I have a bluetooth device to connect my phone), and have it parked in the front of the office, my iPhone will switch to it unexpectedly, at times, until I disable the bluetooth device in the BMW.

Tommy Wade · April 14, 2021

I may have misspoke above the bluetooth typically runs flawlessly, it's just the wired connection that continuously goes in and out. Does it with different cars, different phones, and different cables. So originally, I figured it had to be the truck or chevy in general.

Edited April 14, 2021 by Tommy Wade

MikeBMW · April 14, 2021

4 minutes ago, GrumpyAeroGuy said:

Dumb, innocent question....

Have you tried s new USB cable?

I have had those go caddy-whompus on occasion...

(Just trying to help, sometimes the problem is the least obvious?)

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

1 minute ago, Tommy Wade said:

I may have misspoke above the bluetooth typically runs flawlessly, it's just the wired connection that continuously goes in and out. Does it with different cars, different phones, and different cables. So I figured it had to be the truck originally.

Ah, so as GrumpyAeroGuy mentioned (good suggestion), that doesn't appear to to be the issue.
Perhaps, it just the time from connected via cable to swithching to bluetooth which causes the issue.
You might want to go into the truck settings and disable the wired communication setting for your iPhone if you aren't using Apple Car Play.
I disabled bluetooth for my iPhone (told my phone to forget the bluetooth connection) on the Silverado since I always use Apple Car Play and, when I disconnect, it switches to my iPhone audio.
Seems you have competing connections in play.

Tommy Wade · April 14, 2021

I may give that a shot. It could do that trick.

GrumpAeroGuy, I apologize I did not see your response until just now. That was my hope at first, but I think tried about 15 different cables over the years with the same result.

fbachman · April 14, 2021

3 minutes ago, Tommy Wade said:

I may give that a shot. It could do that trick.

GrumpAeroGuy, I apologize I did not see your response until just now. That was my hope at first, but I think tried about 15 different cables over the years with the same result.

Heh, no biggie.

I guess the cable wasn't it.... (!)

Ravenkeeper · April 14, 2021

7 hours ago, Tommy Wade said:

I'm sure this topic is out here, but I couldnt find it.

I currently own a 2016 Silverado LTZ Z71 and before this I had a 2010 Camaro and both had this issue. I typically plug my phone into the truck so I can access GPS apps on my phone, listen to music, and charge the thing at the same time. Most of the time it works well enough, but so many times I'll be driving along talking on the phone or listening to music and the phone will disconnect saying "USB not connected" or something. This plays hell with phone calls as I now have to physically unplug the phone from the truck and change the phone audio back to the truck using Bluetooth...all very safe to be doing while driving. I am not able to plug it back in because for some reasons the phone will not reconnect at this time. I have to hang up the call to do this.

On rare occasion( has happened 3 times in 3 years) my entire console screen will just go black and come back up a minute or so later. I don't know if this could be related or if it is it's own issue.

Has anyone found out why Chevy's tend to do this or even the more elusive unicorn here...a way to fix it?

I haven't had the USB disconnect, yet, but I have had my radio/Infotainment System randomly reboot. I had the memory flashed, firmware updated, and haven't had that happen since.

Tommy Wade · April 14, 2021

15 hours ago, MikeBMW said:

I disabled bluetooth for my iPhone (told my phone to forget the bluetooth connection) on the Silverado since I always use Apple Car Play and, when I disconnect, it switches to my iPhone audio.
Seems you have competing connections in play.

I disabled Bluetooth on my way to work today and it worked. I'm not ready to call it fixed, but I am definitely hopeful and it's a great start. Something interesting did happen with my phone though. With Bluetooth and Wifi off my phone is able to communicate with my watch still. That is either weird or I'm learning something new. LOL