Car 'Infotainment' Problem

[Pegojack]

Just reading a little bit more about this on google, and I’m wondering could it be just a simple fix like reformatting from ex fat to fat 32?

Since 14.2 GB is well under the 32 GBthreshold, Windows will natively allow you to choose FAT32 in the format menu. This is the ideal size for a Skoda's infotainment system, as it provides maximum compatibility without requiring any special workarounds.
View attachment 7515Microsoft Community Hub +4

Quick Formatting Guide (Windows)

1. Backup: Move any music or files off the drive, as formatting will erase everything.
2. Right-click: Find your USB drive in File Explorer, right-click it, and select Format.
3. Select FAT32: In the "File system" dropdown, select FAT32.
4. Allocation Size: Leave this at the default setting (usually 16 KB or 32 KB).
5. Start: Ensure "Quick Format" is checked and click Start.

Important Considerations

• 4 GB File Limit: While your total drive can hold 14.2 GB, no individual file (like a single high-definition video) can be larger than 4 GB on a FAT32 drive.
• Folder Structure: To ensure your Skoda plays the songs correctly, keep your folders shallow (e.g., Artist > Album > Song.mp3) and avoid using special characters in file names.

Thanks mate, but tried that already, no luck.

 

[monmouth]

don

Don't you have to pay for them, Smurph? I've never used them, but what format are they in? Say you're driving along and suddenly you think "I'd like to listen to the entire album Ten Summoners Tales by Sting", what do you do? At the moment, if it was working properly, it would be two taps of the screen and away you go.

You give your head a wobble and play something better?

 

[jack123]

Thanks mate, but tried that already, no luck.

Sounds a right head scratcher. I just told google reformatting from ex fat to fat 32 failed, and it suggested this

If formatting your 14.2 GB drive to
FAT32has already failed, the problem is likely not the "format" itself, but the partition styleor the audio file properties. Most car systems, including Skoda's (Amundsen, Columbus, or Bolero), are very picky about how the drive is built underneath.
Here are the specific technical reasons why a FAT32 drive still fails and how to fix them:

1. Change Partition Style to MBR (Most Likely Fix)
Most modern USB drives are set to a GPTpartition style, which newer computers love but older car stereos cannot "see." You need to change it to MBR (Master Boot Record).

• The Fix: Use a free tool like Rufus.
• When formatting in Rufus, ensure:
  • Boot selection: "Non bootable"
  • Partition scheme: MBR (This is the critical step)
  • File system: FAT32
    Reddit +2

2. Check for "Hidden" Partition Issues
If you previously used the drive as a bootable installer (like for Windows or Linux), it might have hidden system partitions that confuse the car's player.
Reddit +1

• The Fix: Use Windows Disk Management (Right-click Start > Disk Management).
• Look at the USB drive. If you see multiple "blocks" or partitions, right-click and "Delete Volume" on all of them until the whole drive is one "Unallocated" black bar. Then right-click and select New Simple Volume to format it as one clean FAT32 partition.

3. Audio File "Cleanliness"
If the car "sees" the drive but won't play songs, the files themselves might be the issue:

• Unsupported Formats: Ensure they are standard MP3 files. Some Skoda systems struggle with "Lossless" formats like FLAC or ALAC unless they are the very newest models.
• Bitrate Limits: Some older units cannot play MP3s with a bitrate higher than 320kbps or "Variable Bitrate" (VBR) files.
• Album Art/Tags: Large embedded album art (over 500x500 pixels) or complex ID3 tags can cause the system to skip the song or crash the folder.

4. Hardware Limitations

• USB 3.0 vs 2.0: Some older Skoda units (pre-2016) physically cannot provide enough power to high-speed USB 3.0/3.1 drives. If you are using a very modern, fast drive, try an older, slower USB 2.0 "thumb drive".
• The Port itself: Ensure you are using a data-capable port. In some Skodas, certain USB ports (like those in the rear) are charge-only and do not connect to the media system.

Who knows, with google those suggestions could be leading you up the garden path or completely accurate, whatever the solution my guess it will be something simple when you finally suss it.

 

[Neath_Jack]

Sounds obvious but can you transfer them onto your phone, then connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth?

Knows his onions this boy.

You’re welcome.

 

[legoman]

don

Don't you have to pay for them, Smurph? I've never used them, but what format are they in? Say you're driving along and suddenly you think "I'd like to listen to the entire album Ten Summoners Tales by Sting", what do you do? At the moment, if it was working properly, it would be two taps of the screen and away you go.

I would just open Alexa in the car (while connected to Android Auto) and simply say "Alexa ask Spotify to play....." and off she toddles

 

[jack123]

Knows his onions this boy.

You’re welcome.

That could be the simple solution.

1. Move Music to Your iPhone (The "No-Computer" Way)
If your music is currently on a USB stick and you want to move it to your iPhone without using a computer:

• Plug the USB into your iPhone: Use a USB-C to USB-C cable (if your drive is USB-C) or a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
• Use the "Files" App:
  1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Browse > [Your USB Drive Name].
  3. Long-press a folder or song and select Copy.
  4. Go back to Browse > On My iPhone, long-press a blank space, and select Paste.
• Better Playback: The standard "Music" app usually requires a computer to sync files. To play your copied files easily in the car, download the free VLC for Mobile app from the App Store. It will automatically find the songs you pasted onto your phone.
  Apple Support Community +5

2. Connect to the Skoda Elroq
Once the music is on your phone, you don't need the USB stick anymore.

• Wireless CarPlay: Go to Settings > General > CarPlay on your iPhone and follow the prompts on your Elroq's screen to pair them.
• Bluetooth: If you prefer a simpler connection, just pair your phone via Settings > Bluetooth.
  Apple Support +2

3. About Copyright
There are no copyright "blocks" that will stop your music from playing.

• Personal Use: Playing your own files for yourself and passengers is a standard feature of every modern car infotainment system.
• No DRM: Standard MP3 files do not have "Digital Rights Management" (DRM) that would prevent them from playing on different devices.

Would you like me to find the best USB-C adapter for your iPhone if you don't have one?

 

[Pegojack]

That could be the simple solution.

1. Move Music to Your iPhone (The "No-Computer" Way)
If your music is currently on a USB stick and you want to move it to your iPhone without using a computer:

• Plug the USB into your iPhone: Use a USB-C to USB-C cable (if your drive is USB-C) or a USB-C to USB-A adapter.
• Use the "Files" App:
  1. Open the Files app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Browse > [Your USB Drive Name].
  3. Long-press a folder or song and select Copy.
  4. Go back to Browse > On My iPhone, long-press a blank space, and select Paste.
• Better Playback: The standard "Music" app usually requires a computer to sync files. To play your copied files easily in the car, download the free VLC for Mobile app from the App Store. It will automatically find the songs you pasted onto your phone.
  View attachment 7519Apple Support Community +5

2. Connect to the Skoda Elroq
Once the music is on your phone, you don't need the USB stick anymore.

• Wireless CarPlay: Go to Settings > General > CarPlay on your iPhone and follow the prompts on your Elroq's screen to pair them.
• Bluetooth: If you prefer a simpler connection, just pair your phone via Settings > Bluetooth.
  View attachment 7518Apple Support +2

3. About Copyright
There are no copyright "blocks" that will stop your music from playing.

• Personal Use: Playing your own files for yourself and passengers is a standard feature of every modern car infotainment system.
• No DRM: Standard MP3 files do not have "Digital Rights Management" (DRM) that would prevent them from playing on different devices.

Would you like me to find the best USB-C adapter for your iPhone if you don't have one?

Thanks, mate, I'll see if I can get somewhere with this.

 

[Pegojack]

You give your head a wobble and play something better?

I used to like you, Monny

 

[K23]

Possibly a daft question from a non-technical person, but would the phone have enough capacity to take all the music? There is 14.2GB worth.

My phone is a Galaxy S23 256GB and my playlist is 17.6GB and even with that on it, I've still got 103GB free. If you need to know how much space you have available on your phone, plug it into your laptop and open This PC and the phone should show up there and tell you how much you have left. PS, phone has to be on and open.

 

[Cooperman]

Do you have an iPhone? My music is stored in the cloud and is streamed to my iPhone in the car or wherever I am.

Yes, but I gave up listening to ‘my music’ years ago and now Spotify stream everything. The only significant volume of data I have stored in iCloud is photos.

 

[Muteswan]

Yes, but I gave up listening to ‘my music’ years ago and now Spotify stream everything. The only significant volume of data I have stored in iCloud is photos.

I use mine for the jazz cds I buy off artists that come to our jazz club and are not necessarily available everywhere as well as the hundreds of “normal” cds I’ve had for years to replace my vinyl collection. I haven’t started on my cassette tapes yet

 

[K23]

Sounds obvious but can you transfer them onto your phone, then connect your phone to the car via Bluetooth?

That would definitely get the audio sorted but as I understand it, I think Pego wants the folders/files displayed a certain way as well. If he's going to put the music on his phone, using PowerAmp via Android Auto sorts it all with lots of options available too.

 

[Cooperman]

I use mine for the jazz cds I buy off artists that come to our jazz club and are not necessarily available everywhere as well as the hundreds of “normal” cds I’ve had for years to replace my vinyl collection. I haven’t started on my cassette tapes yet

Ahh yes, you have a deptj of catalogue much beyond mine.

 

[K23]

Possibly a daft question from a non-technical person, but would the phone have enough capacity to take all the music? There is 14.2GB worth.

If your phone doesn't have a big enough capacity (128GB or more), it would more than likely be expandable using a microSD card. Alternatively, just try loading one folder and see if you can get it working first. PowerAmp has a free version but I've got a lifetime licence which only cost £7.49 and I can use it on all my devices.

 

[Muteswan]

Ahh yes, you have a deptj of catalogue much beyond mine.

It all comes with age.