2021-2022 Audi Bluetooth Connection Not Working TSB

Owners of 2021-2022 Audi vehicles equipped with ConBox High may experience issues with their Bluetooth connection or address book download. This includes models like the Audi e-tron, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Q5, Q7, Q8, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, RS5, RS6, RS7, and their various Sportback, Cabriolet, and allroad variants. The problem, described as "Bluetooth connection/address book download is not working," is addressed by Audi Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 91 21 21 2064246/1, issued on August 17, 2021.

Symptoms

Customers may report that it is not possible to establish a Bluetooth connection with a cell phone (HFP) or transfer the address book from the phone to the MMI (PBAP). While the phone might show the connection as successfully paired, the MMI system may only display a connection for the Bluetooth audio player (A2DP) in the connection manager. This indicates a problem with the full functionality of the Bluetooth connection, impacting features like hands-free calling and contact synchronization.

Important Warnings

Audi has identified specific conditions under which this TSB does not apply. If your vehicle displays an "SOS Malfunction" in the instrument cluster, if the e-Call LED is red or not lit, or if no diagnostics communication can be established to the telematics control module, J949 (address word 0075), then this particular TSB is not the solution. In such cases, technicians should follow the standard test plan for those specific issues.

Furthermore, Audi explicitly states, "Do not replace any components for this condition since this will not resolve the customer's concern." This is a crucial warning for owners, as replacing parts like the MMI unit or other related components will not fix the underlying software limitation causing the Bluetooth connection issue.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The root cause of the "Audi e-tron Bluetooth connection" problem lies in a technical limitation within the current MMI software. The system has a restriction on the Bluetooth name of a paired device, allowing only up to 10 standard characters. If a customer's cell phone Bluetooth name exceeds this 10-character limit or contains special characters, the MMI system may fail to establish a full connection or download the address book.

Repair Procedure Summary

Since the issue is a software limitation rather than a hardware fault, the repair procedure is straightforward and involves a customer action. Technicians should advise the customer to shorten their phone's Bluetooth name to 10 characters or fewer and remove any special characters. Once the Bluetooth name is adjusted, the phone should be able to connect properly to the MMI system and allow for address book transfer.

Owner Action

If you are experiencing issues with your Audi e-tron Bluetooth connection or address book download, first check the Bluetooth name of your cell phone. Ensure it is no longer than 10 standard characters and does not contain any special characters. Adjust your phone's Bluetooth name accordingly, then attempt to reconnect to your Audi's MMI system. If the problem persists, or if you observe other warning messages like an "SOS Malfunction," consult your authorized Audi dealer for further diagnosis. This TSB is informational only and not covered under Audi warranty.

Source: NHTSA ID: 10200446