Audi MMI Forced Reboot: The Definitive Guide (1 Step)

Audi MMI Forced Reboot is a necessary piece of knowledge for Audi 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 owners of A6, A7, A8, Q7, and Q8 when nothing but pure frustration seeps throughout your veins to your trigger finger when you touch your Audi START ENGINE button. You keep getting the message “NOTE, Loading the system please wait“ or “Welcome, checking remote access rights” or “Audi MMI Initializing media, please wait!”

You need to know how to do an Audi MMI reset or MMI reboot, and I will share how for those models mentioned above specifically! We’ve all been there as Audi owners, but how do you reset an Audi MMI? I’ll show you how to do the reboot. If your Audi MMI does not reboot and instead freezes, it is very frustrating, and there is not much info on how to fix it.

Welcome To The Audi Reserved Experience

Yes, along with your exceptional vehicle purchase, you’ve also reserved yourself a front-row seat to a unique phenomenon reserved explicitly made for AUDI owners, and it’s free with your purchase (eye roll!) when the MMI doesn’t reboot!

Where Will The Screen Issues Display Making the Audi MMI Reset Necessary?

I have to tell you it is not a luxury experience. It’s a nightmare, IMO and it will get you when you need the system the most and have the LEAST amount of time to reset your Audi MMI. See the photo below. This is the screen that hosts the issue messaging. ↓↓

I’ve developed a LOVE/HATE relationship with my Audi Q7’s MMI because the Audi Multimedia system is fantastic and helpful when it works. But when I have to be somewhere at a specific time, and my Audi Q7 2021 has other plans for me, I STOP the chaos and perform a simple Audi MMI forced-to reboot to reset and clear the system.

Why You Need The Quick Fix For the AUDI MMI Reset

Learning how to master the Audi MMI Reset 2021 is imperative because if it happens once, I assure you it will happen again, and you’ll know how to solve the issue. It is a DIY you’ll need to master and fast! Audi needs a masterclass for all the hot mess issues that impede the intent of owning a luxury vehicle and make your vehicle less than luxurious!

You’ll note that you won’t be able to Access Audi (Audi Connect) either because the APP becomes useless, and resetting the Audi MMI is the only way to get everything to communicate again!

Why To Perform An Audi Q7 Audi MMI Forced Reboot

If you see the following things happen on your Audi MMI screen, you will need to do an Audi MMI Forced Reboot:

• The MMI System read out the following: “NOTE, Loading the system please wait“ or “Welcome, checking remote access rights,” or, “Audi MMI Initializing media please wait!“
• Or when you can SEE the MMI screen, but it looks like it’s gray coated, such as when your lights go from day tonight. In other words, you can see ALL the MMI options; you really can’t USE them!
• When you keep seeing “Loading the system Please Wait” and on the dashboard “Initializing Telephone Please Wait.”

WHAT IS THE AUDI MMI?

If you bought your AUDI and never knew what it is called (pretty impossible, though, considering it says MMI On the screen when you start your car daily), it is your ‘infotainment’ system specific to AUDI. 

Reasonably stated, it is a ‘multi-media interface.’ You might refer to it as your Dual Screens on your dashboard. It is the fancy name for replacing all those knobs/buttons and displays that used to exist on the console to control the heating, cooling, radio, etc., but now are inside these dual screens, a.k.a. MMI. 

When You See: Checking Rmote Access Rights

While I LOVE those dual MMI screens and wonder daily how I ever had a car before without the dual MMI screens, the messaging notes that state: ‘Checking Remote Access Rights’ and ‘Loading The System Please Wait‘ kills me and require an Audi MMI reboot because you won’t have access to anything on those screens!

When I get those messages, unfortunately, it’s the lower half of the screen that I rely on daily, from music to cameras, garage door, and radio interfaces that I can’t use because the system won’t clear me for ‘takeoff.’ Trust me; it’s not only the Q7 2021 with this awful issue as other Audi models have the same problem; we are not alone.

What Audi Models And Years Will The Audi MMI Reset Work For?

Don’t worry, I am a car-loving girl, and I called the dealer, researched, read, asked questions, and compiled this list of Audi models and years that this Audi MMI reboot will work for!

• Audi A6 2019, 2020, 2021 
•  A7 2019, 2020, 2021 
•  Audi A8 2019, 2020, 2021 
•  Q7 2019, 2020, 2021 
• Audi Q8 2019, 2020, 2021 

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to get an Audi fob cover because those are expensive to replace!

Screen That Requires The Forced Reboot On Your Audi

Sorry for all the smudges. I didn’t expect photoing issues, or I would have cleaned my screen with my favorite screen cleaner for my Audi ↓↓! 

What You Can’t Do If You Don’t Perform The Audi MMI Forced Reboot

• can’t access the garage door opener
• can’t access the camera system
• The air conditioner and the heat won’t function

I could not get beyond the front MMI screens, meaning the initial screen, what you see above, is ALL I could access, and I had no access to close my garage door or open it, nor to my camera system.

Could I Have Driven My Audi Q7 Without The MMI? 

Yes, I could have, but did I want to? NO! Here is why I did not want to drive the car, and your list may read like mine:

• I am still adjusting to the car, and the cameras are very helpful.
• Parking is so much easier with functioning cameras.
• Comfort (from the temperature in the car to the radio) would not work (it was HOT out, and I needed the AC. It was a work function I was late for, yeah, go ahead, call me a princess, and whatever, but I needed to be comfortable for work)
• The My Audi App was not working either.
• My driver screen (MPH and gear were the only things showing in front of me, so again, no maps, radio controls, etc.)
• I am probably missing another reason, but I am in a hurry writing this to help you!

Is the MyAudi App The Reason For The Audi MMI Reset

No, that seems to be the short answer but with Audi, is there ever a short answer? No! However, when resetting Audi MMI is necessary, the MyAudi app and the MMI seem to collapse simultaneously! At the same time that I needed to perform the Audi MMI Forced Reboot, the MyAudi app logged me out and wanted a new password, leaving me with absolutely zero ability to Access Audi, which was awful.

Plus, the MyAudi App is somewhat annoying anyway, as each time you get into the car and might be prepping to leave, the app knocks you out of whatever you are doing to announce it is connecting! Overtaken by the total bs of this minor inconvenience, the MyAudi app was just one more pawn to deal with! I am sure anyone using the MyAudi app has experienced that love-hate for the app!  

At this point, I reasoned out in my mind that it pointed to a system upgrade, and both were annoying and affecting me at the wrong time and place. I got stuck in my driveway! I reset the MyAudi App, deleted it, and reinstalled it, but to my chagrin, it did nothing to help me reboot/reset the MMI. That is how I learned it is not the app.

I Asked The Tech At My Audi Dealer in Pittsburgh 

I am not the only one who called in to find out how to do an Audi MMI Forced Reboot. Audi has gone from using AT&T to Verizon and stated that it might be why so many this week have needed the AUDI MMI forced Reboot. Or, it could have been what generally is the most valuable thing about the AUDI MMI: it functions as a tablet/smartphone and is continuously upgraded.

In my opinion, its ability to be upgraded is great, until it is not like right freaking now! This particular version is now going through its 3rd upgrade and is on version 3. Is that the Glitch with so many  Audi owners of the models mentioned above and years calling in?  

Updates Are Inevitable; Learn the Reboot

Whether the MMI system gets map upgrades quarterly or if Alexa receives upgrades, so will your MMI. So keep this article SAVED, so you can keep resetting AUDI MMI, it sounds like a dance move, but it is a simple finger move! 

Does The Car Manual Guide An Audi MMI Forced Reboot?

Nope, no help. I looked and could find nothing. But it’s a great read if you want to learn about your car and not just rely on videos or get put to sleep. 

Step By Step for the AUDI MMI Forced Reboot (Audi MMI Reset) 

By now, you have seen the video I made to do the reset for the MMI Audi Q7, and you are probably reading this to learn more about the future.

Now you have completed the AUDI MMI Forced Reboot.

• Turn the car on by pushing the start/stop engine button,
• Then move your hand to the right for the volume control
• and push DOWN On it (the volume control)
• Hold it for about 15 seconds (seems like eons)
• then the screen message that you see will disappear, then reappear. 
• You’ve completed the reboot.
• That’s it.

Hopefully, what is on your screen are your readouts for your apps and directives for drive modes, radio, garage, etc. 

Audi MMI Reset FAQs

Try These Options Before The Audi MMI Forced Reboot

I tried a few things when all of this was happening, and I was unsure if all or nothing helped except the reboot. Consider them as helpful as a monkey scratching his ass, but they are things to at least try!

First, if you are in your home garage and this happens, “NOTE, Loading the system, please wait!” pull out of the garage and down the driveway a bit. 

• Take your phone off WiFi and Turn Off Bluetooth; I did both to cover myself.
• But I also did this so that my phone didn’t connect (which it didn’t anyway) to the car.

In case you want to know, I tried many other things before the reboot, the more practical things, because I had no idea it needed a reboot, but as I have been told, a few of these items may cause the messaging as well.

Therefore I could use my phone to text etc. It was also important because once I got everything all working, I didn’t feel like dealing with the MyAudi app, which popped up and needed a reset, too, and I didn’t have the time!

• Next, start the car and then turn it off.  Open the doors and walk away with the key. 

Call it insanity or whatever you want, but I thought that if there were issues, maybe it was as minor as an on/off, so I started with all the easy options! My neighbor had been advised to do this by their Audi mechanic, so I tried it, and while futile, it might help yours!

The Issue Error is solved, So Drive AUDI~ 

So, getting the message on your MMI of, “NOTE, Loading the system please Wait,” or “Welcome, checking remote access rights” on your AUDI models listed above, it’s a simple press of the button, and off you go! 

Accessories For Your Audi 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 > A6, A7, A8, Q7, and Q8 & E-Tron

• Audi E-Tron accessories (mats, fob covers, etc.)
• A6 accessories – from all-weather mats to cover trim!
• A8 accessories, including a ream bumper protector guard, car cup coasters, etc.
• Q7 accessories from car cover to luminous air caps + check out the AUDI Q7 All weather mats I tested here!

More Fun Car Stories

Ladies want tips on car buying because I’ve written an article on car buying tips for women, due to a little frustration while purchasing my Audi Q7!

Did The Audi MMI Forced Reboot Worked For You

Did you find a different method to reboot your AUDI?

If you did, please use this form and share it with me!

Stay tuned for Audi 2021 Q7 things you will want to know about! ~ Dana XO 

FREE PRINTABLE For How To Do The Audi MMI Reset

I suggest printing this and stowing it in your glove compartment!

Dana is an award-winning food and travel writer who formerly test-drove and wrote about car models and makes!