MB Medic Mercedes-Benz Repair Guides, Service, How To DIY
No Sound – Common Navigation/Comand/Radio Problems
Is the radio on your Mercedes-Benz not working? Some common problems with the Mercedes-Benz COMAND system include issues such as:
- Head Unit / Radio stuck on Mercedes-Benz logo
- It turns on and then off
- Shuts off randomly
- COMMAND will freeze
- The radio powers on, but there is no sound
- Audio Gateway (AGW) drains the car battery
- The radio panel doesn’t turn on. (Hint: Check fuses.)
Most Common Solution
The first thing you should try is to do a soft reset of the COMAND unit. To do a reset, you will need to remove the fuses for at least 10 min for these systems:
- COMAND/ NAV / DVD Player / Radio
- CD Changer
- Voice Unit, if equipped
- Audio Gateway AGW
Removing the fuses for these systems will force the command unit to perform a rest. This will generally fix the problem. There is a chance that the symptoms may return. If you have the same problem after a few weeks, check with your Mercedes-Benz dealer to see if they have any updates for your comand / navigation unit.
How to do a soft reset of the COMAND / NAV Radio System
Here are instructions on resetting the audio/radio/command/cd changer system on an E-Class W211. If you have a different Mercedes-Benz model, different fuse numbers will be assigned to your command, radio, CD changer, and audio gateway. Look up the fuse chart for your model to identify the fuses for these components.
Locate the fuse box on the side of the dash on the driver’s side.
Remove the fuse box cover.
Locate fuses 26 and 28. Remove both fuses.
Locate the fuse box on the rear. Start by opening the trunk. The fuse box is located on the left side of the trunk.
Remove fuse #6
The fuse number will be different depending on the model of Mercedes-Benz that you have. The fuse numbers provided here apply to E-Class W211 2003-2008
Remove the key from the ignition and let the car stay off for at least 15 min.
Troubleshoot fiber optics
If removing the fuses does not solve your problem, the next step would be to troubleshoot the fiber-optic loop. Mercedes-Benz uses fiber optic cables to transmit the sound signal between the different units. Fiber optics provide faster transfer rates and better sound quality. All the audio-related systems in the car are connected via the fiber optic cable in series, forming a ring or a loop. The signal will travel through all the components and return to the same component if required.
Components that are part of the fiber optic ring are:
- Head Unit/Comand/Navigation/DVD/Radio Head unit Audio 50 APS
- CD Changer
- Communication platform
- Navigation
- Voice recognition module
- Audio Gateway (can not bypass)
When one of these components (in yellow) goes down, your COMAND will stop functioning. Let’s say your CD changer fails. You will not be able to use the COMAND at all. The system will turn on and then off or will turn on, but you will have no sound.
The COMAND will typically power on and then go off, get stuck, have no sound, or not power on. If this happens, do not automatically assume that the issue is the head unit.
To solve this problem, you must figure out which component is defective. You can bypass the different components until you find the problem. You will need a Fiber Optic Loop Adapter to bypass the system, one at a time until your COMAND system works.
If you bypass a component and the problem is not solved, try the next component on the list. The Audio Gateway AGW can also be defective. That is the brains of the Mercedes-Benz COMAND system; therefore, you can not bypass it. You will need to replace the whole unit.
All rights reserved Notice: CLOUD
I have the w211 E55 AMG
When turning on NAV the sound is alwaus kind if lower left side speakers but as soon as I turn up volume I get full sound/volume in all speakers.
my oldest brother just bought a 1995 mb e320, we can get the am radio station can,t get fm radio station and having a prob with cd player.and I was just wondering if you had any thoughts on this problem, help would be greatly appreciated. roland glotzer
Hello from Norway
I got a 2015 radio RY2550 from another car that i would like to install into my sprinter. I heard that the radio, not the car, is needed to be reprogrammed.
Hello everyone ,on my fuse allocation the information I have is that i have no AUDIO GETEWAY! on my schedule list of the Mercedes Benz? I’ve got Fuse: Comand, Radio, CD changer for a minimum of 15min extracted. but since I do not retrieve Audio Geteway I think I have not completed my soft reset. Can i got more information? because it is probably based on the E classes W211 I suspect. Personally I have the MB CLK 220CDI W209 2005 thanks you verry much
Hi,
New here. From UK.
I have no sound on my 2002 W215 CL500 command unit (Bose).
very much appreciated.
Kind regards,
Jackson Baker
Also thank you for all your commitment to this site, it all comes in very helpful.
Just bought a 06 Mercedes benz and the radio stations have alot of static on them and only 1 picks up decent! It wasnt doing this a few days ago when i bought it but it just started yesterday!.
Hi,
I have Mercedes S- Class W221 S550 2006 – the Radio is working fine with sound but the there is no power reaching to the CD changer and the MP3 player. i.e. no light in the CD buttons – a message says: Driver empty appears when I try to change from Radio to CD or MP3 player- this happened after I had a problem with the battery before I replaced it.
I have a 2012 c class and my car lost all sound suddenly. I can see all fictions of the radio. See what song is playing but no sound. My Bluetooth connects but I can’t hear anybody speaking. My mechanic stated it’s a 1300 repair because of the fiber optic wires! I have 40k miles on the car and am irate that this seems to be the only solution. I can’t understand how one of the best made cars would have this type of issue at 40k miles!! I can’t handle the silence anymore and I can’t see having to pay such a price for a radio!
Hello frind, i had thé same symptom on my CLK if you have the CD Changer You must disconnect the CD changer and connect back and your noise is Fixet 1Just key is in contact without turning2 disassemble CD changer 3disconnect from rear wire (Be very careful about the lens)and then link back and you are Done hopefully. If it does not help, advise you to use a Laser lens cleaner (CD) that can also helpso (let the lens cleaner play in any room of the CD changer)
I just share my experience now a year of 2+-3 later i have now problem With the navigation Comand out of nothing Mercedes have bad Comand i have only 177.000km!! For a Benz is nothing
Hi! I have the same problem but mine ML350 has 48k on it. Did you find a solution?
I have the same issue on my 2013 c300 4matic, have you resolved your issue? And if so, how?! I CANT drive with no music anymore lol
On my 2013 E350, the Audio gets muffled when radio information starts streaming at the bottom of the screen. This happens on any given radio station. Is there an easy fix? This does not happen with CD player or blue tooth audio.
I have a 2017 GLE and my phone has worked with Bluetooth for months and just stopped. Incoming calls ring on Bluetooth and once I answer there’s no sound, I can’t hear them and they can’t hear me. On out going calls, the same, I can’t hear any ringing and when they answer, I can’t hear them and they can’t hear me.
Hi!I have Mercedes w211 2002
I removed cd change to try fixing and after I put back together
But now radio not working!pleas can you help me what I need to do?thanks
MB Medic,
I recently purchased a 2014 E350. The FM radio works perfectly, but the AM radio has mostly static. This station comes in very clear in all of my other vehicles.
The windows have all been tinted, but I believe the tint is ceramic.
I have checked the connections to the antenna that are located above the headliner above the back window and the connections are good.
I plan on removing the third brake light and check the ribbon that connects the am antenna in the back window to assure the connection is good and not damaged.
Beyond this, I am at a loss as to what the problem may be. I would greatly appreciate any assistance you can give me.
Sincerely,
Lawrence Johnson
Hello and thanks in advance if you could possibly assist with my situation. I am not saying the dealer is incapable but, I tried a soft reset which did not work and then a hard reset which did not work. I have an 06 s55. The logo comes on for like a minute and goes off for about 5 seconds and cycles repeatedly. I took it to the dealer and paid a diagnosis fee and they said that the MOST system is responding but they found some “watchdog” error codes and suggested I look for an aftermarket head unit with compatible harness or try my luck with an aftermarket unit. Is the unit dead or is there a way to bypass the watchdog on the unit, reset the unit or is it dead?
Thanks.
2008 SL550 COMAND unit will not keep presets for SAT Bass and treble setting will not stay at desired settings. Time and date stay active. When turning off COMAND and turning back on a few minutes later radio always reverts to 87.7 FM. All fuses checked and ok. COMAND was reset by removing all related fuses for 1 hr.
My radio comes on all be itself even with the key out of the ignition. I turn it off, and in 2 to 3 minutes it comes back on. It never did this until after getting it back from a detail shop were they detailed the interior and exterior. could they have gotten some moisture in something while cleaning? It has been 2 days since I got it back, and it still does it. I don’t know if this is related, but I removed the number 26 fuse and left it out over night so the radio would not come on. When I got back in the car the next day, the battery was completely dead, showing only 5.5 volts on my multi-meter. I had battery charged and tested, battery is less than 2 years old and in good condition. I have MB Star computer, and can find only one code. (Wake-up line not active, battery voltage.)When the radio is on, everything works fine. I’ve run out of ideas, perhaps another mind looking will see something I am blocking out. LoL.
I forgot to mention. this is a 2005 W211 E320 sedan.
Boy, I have the same problem on my 06 cls. Did you find a solution?
The sound on radio and cd play keeps breaking off for a short period of time then comes back on at the same place on cds.
Hey Jack
Did you ever found a solution to your radio problem?
I ha the exact same problem
I have a MB E350 (Blue Efficiency) My command completly froze with the MB star on the screen. Along side of the star, their is Chinese writing on a thin two line white strip. None of the buttons work, but music plays, and I cant change anything. How do I correct this problem?
Try removing the COMAND and AGW fuses for 10 min. If that doesn’t fix it you will have to hook up your E350 to star diagnostic. Could be the fiber optic loop isn’t getting completed due to a break. In most cases caused by one of the components failing.
What is AWG and whats the fuse number?
My 220cdi 2004 Mercedes
Radio/CD/phone
PRESS ON BUTTON….no power nothing
Dead Recently jump started car but reversed the polarity ..ouch !!
Check the fuses. There may be a fuse on the back of the radio as well.
I want to genuinely thank Mercedesmedic.com and whoever is responsible to keep posting detailed tips on how to find faults and otherwise maintain these marvellously generally well built cars. Apart from this free! service to DIY mechanics, it is actually a very green activity in that it usually delays purchasing new cars and their huge manufacturing associated pollution. I drive a 14 year old W211 E Class Elegance with 170000 km and the used car industry values it at next to nothing. Well, I’m not here to keep the car industry fat. Keep up the good work!
Thank you for the kind words. Such comments help us keep posting. 🙂