Hyundai Remote Start Not Working (Fix It Now!)

If you’ve been unsuccessfully trying to use your Hyundai remote start, then you know how it sucks. This issue is commonly experienced across all Hyundai car models. This guide will shed more light on why your remote start isn’t working and how you can fix it.

Hyundai remote start not working can arise from a variety of issues such as a dead key fob battery, damaged remote transmitter/receiver, remote start wiring issues, active vehicle security system, remote start system interference, or distance limitations.

This article will discuss in full detail all the common reasons behind your Hyundai remote start not working. We’ll also share helpful tips on what to do if this happens, why your remote only work sometimes, why your remote won’t work after changing batteries, and so on.

Why your Hyundai remote start is not working

Your Hyundai remote start feature is highly convenient. But if it fails to work, it can be quite frustrating. Knowing what causes it to fail is the first step to helping you deal with it.

Below are all the common causes behind a non-working Hyundai remote start:

Dead key fob or car battery

One of the likely reasons for your remote start not working is a dead battery. A weak or dead battery means the key fob can’t send a single to the starter, thus it won’t respond and your car won’t start.

Besides the key fob battery, you may also want to check whether your main car battery is dead. This is because it will also make the remote start fail to work.

Solution: Replace your key fob battery and try restarting your car. If the battery was the issue, your remote start should start working again.

If the main car battery is weak or dead, you’ll need to recharge or replace it as necessary. Jump-starting your car can help recharge it. But in cases where the battery is completely dead, replacing it is the best solution.

Remote start is disabled

Yes, some people also tend to make the mistake of trying to use this function without first making sure it’s activated or they’re using the correct procedure. The car keys should also not be inside the car and you should turn off your car via key fob or app.

Solution: Check your owner’s manual for the correct procedure for starting your vehicle remotely. And keep in mind that the procedure may vary between different Hyundai models, so what works for one vehicle doesn’t always work for the other one.

Vehicle security system is on

Your Hyundai remote system may also stop working if your vehicle security system is activated or if the immobilizer system is malfunctioning.

Note that these are security measures put in place to help prevent unauthorized access to your vehicle.

Solution: Check whether your vehicle security system is disarmed. Moreover, check whether your immobilizer system is functioning correctly.

You can always refer to your user manual for more info on how to reset/reprogram your car immobilizer or security system when necessary.

If you’re unable to fix this issue, seek professional assistance from your Hyundai dealership or a reliable mechanic.

Distance factor

Most people don’t know this but your Hyundai remote start functionality usually has a limited range. Therefore, if you’re attempting to remote start your car when you’re far away from it, the signal may fail to reach it, and it may then fail to work.

Solution: You should try moving closer to your car and try to activate the remote start feature again. Check your owner manual for the specific range for this remote function and be sure you’re within this range.

Your doors, hood, or tailgate are open

In most cases, Hyundai remote start may fail to start if your hood, doors, and even the tailgate are open. This is simply a safety feature that helps prevent the car from starting/moving if there’s someone near the car when the engine is running.

Solution: make sure all your vehicle doors, tailgate, and hood are fully closed and locked. If you find any of these parts are open, close them correctly and then try remote starting your car.

However, this may not apply to Hyundai models, so you may want to consult your user manual just to be sure.

Vehicle system issues

Another reason why your vehicle may fail to work is due to issues with your vehicle system or sensors.

Some cars may have issues such as software glitches, faulty components, wiring issues, etc., that may keep your remote system from working.

For instance, a malfunctioning vehicle system and sensor may affect your remote start. A check engine light usually shows there’s an issue with your car.

Still at it, issues with the fuel system, starter, or ignition system may also make it impossible for your car to start remotely.

Solution: Try scanning your vehicle computer for stored error codes that could give you a clue on what the underlying issue is and whether it’s likely to affect your vehicle functionality.

Also, check your owner’s manual for known issues that could interfere with your car start feature.

Alternatively, you can simply visit your local Hyundai dealership or qualified mechanic to have them diagnose all the potential issues related to your remote start and fix them.

Your car is in park mode

If your Hyundai remote start fails to work, you may also want to check whether your car is in the park or neutral mode. Usually, the remote start requires that your vehicle be set to either of these two modes to allow remote starter starting of the engine.

Solution: Put your car in parking or neutral mode and then retry the remote start function. You may also want to consult your user manual for the correct procedure for using the remote start function in your car.

Damaged remote transmitter/receiver

Sometimes your remote transmitter or receiver may become damaged or fail over time. When this happens, signal transmission between your key fob and your car will be affected.

Solution: Have your remote transmitter/receiver diagnosed by a qualified auto technician or authorized Hyundai dealership and fixed or replaced as necessary.

Remote start system interference

Environmental factors or electronic devices can easily interfere with your remote start. Radiofrequency from power lines as well as other vehicles or even household appliances are notorious for disrupting the communication between your car and key fob.

Solution: Move to a different location where there are no potential sources of interference. Avoid areas with strong radio signals or high-power electrical lines. Ensure there are no electronic devices near your key fob that may interfere with its signal transmission.

You don’t have an active BlueLink subscription

Some Hyundai car models require you to have an active BlueLink subscription to be able to use the remote start feature.

If your car has this type of requirement, then the remote start feature won’t work until you have an active subscription.

Solution: Check your BlueLink subscription and ensure it’s active before you try using the remote start feature again.

What to do if your Hyundai remote start is not working?

If your Hyundai remote start function is not working, you can try to find out what’s causing this failure in your car.

But first, you may want to consult your owner’s manual to ensure all the conditions are met for your Hyundai remote start to work flawlessly.

You should start with the simple issues below:

• Check for dead key fob or car battery
• Check if you have properly closed your hood, tailgate, and doors
• Ensure you’re within the recommended range
• Your car is in neutral or park mode
• The remote isn’t disabled
• Your vehicle security system is disarmed
• Watch out for system interference
• Check the status of your BlueLink account and whether it affects your remote start
• Check engine light is on and have your car diagnosed
• If you suspect your remote starts is damaged, have it diagnosed

If you try the above troubleshooting and nothing seems to work, then your last option would be to take your car to your nearest Hyundai dealership for further diagnosis and repair.

What makes Hyundai remote start not work sometimes?

In some instances, your Hyundai remote start may only be working sometimes and other times it emptily faults to work. If this is what’s happening to you, several issues could be the culprits. These include:

• A weak key fob battery
• Interference from other electronic devices
• Faulty remote start system
• Range issues
• Vehicle conditions (e.g. open hood, doors, and trunk)
• Security system activation
• Remote start needs reprogramming/initialization, probably after vehicle software updates
• Environmental factors, e.g. extreme cold/hot temperatures may interfere with the remote start.

If you have checkered all the above factors but the problem persists, consult a qualified auto technician or authorized Hyundai dealership for further assistance.

Why Hyundai remote is not working even with new batteries

If you changed your Hyundai key fob batteries but the remote start still won’t work, check that you correctly inserted the new batteries in the fob.

If the batteries are correctly installed, then you may need to reprogram the key fob to resynchronize it with your car system. Consult your manual for the exact procedure on how to perform this reprogramming.

Range and interference issues could also be making your remote start not work even after changing the batteries. Make sure there are no interference sources and you’re within the recommended operating range for your remote start.

The key fob itself could be malfunctioning or the receivers may be faulty. This can make the system not function correctly. In this case, you should a qualified auto technician or Hyundai dealership to diagnose and repair your remote start system.

While you’re delving into the intricacies of Hyundai’s remote start issues, it’s essential to note that various vehicles face similar challenges. For instance, our detailed analysis of the GMC Acadia not starting sheds light on the common issues and solutions related to this particular model. Similarly, if you’ve come across problems with aftermarket remote starters, our guide on Viper remote start not working offers in-depth insights to address those concerns.

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Conclusion

Hyundai remote start has a tendency to fail and this can be attributed to various factors we have just highlighted in the above article. The most common causes include a dead key fob battery, disabled remote start, activated vehicle security system, range issues, open doors/tailgate/hood, vehicle system issues, damaged remote transmitter/receiver, system interference, or not having an active Hyundai app subscription.

We have offered you helpful tips on how to deal with each of these issues in the above guide. When diagnosing your car, be sure to start with simple issues. Some of the issues may be complex to diagnose on your own, so we advise you to get a qualified auto technician or a nearby Hyundai dealership to diagnose and fix them for you.