RADIO (MEDIA) QUESTION?

[RAY INGRASSIA]

Ok, I'm a 79 year old, technically challenged Cybertruck owner. Love the truck and figured out most of the amazing technology (trial and error). However, I must have hit something un-intentional on the screen. I had my radio set up for Amazon Music and working great for months. All of a sudden, I hear a radio station in the background along with my Amazon music (both playing at same time). Any idea what I did wrong? Thanks.

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[REM]

Ok, I'm a 79 year old, technically challenged Cybertruck owner. Love the truck and figured out most of the amazing technology (trial and error). However, I must have hit something un-intentional on the screen. I had my radio set up for Amazon Music and working great for months. All of a sudden, I hear a radio station in the background along with my Amazon music (both playing at same time). Any idea what I did wrong? Thanks.

hey old timer, welcome to the club! Give this a read and see if you can figure it out from the menu. If not, let us know and we can help walk you through it:

https://www.tesla.com/ownersmanual/...sic When listening to internet <em>radio</em>

 

[Hobiemon]

Also try the reboot. Press and hold the two scroll wheels until the screen goes black and then release. Fixes a myriad of issues ?

 

[DaBagBoy]

PER GROK --
I understand you’re experiencing an issue where a radio station is playing in the background alongside your Amazon Music on your **2024 Tesla Cybertruck AWD** or **2026 Tesla Model Y AWD**, despite the setup working fine for months. This is likely **radio frequency interference (RFI)** or an issue with the vehicle’s audio system or Amazon Music app settings. Below, I’ll provide a concise troubleshooting guide to address this, tailored to your vehicles, and explain why this might be happening. I’ll also briefly touch on the **MPGe** context from your previous question to ensure clarity, but focus primarily on the interference issue.



### Why This Is Happening

The sudden appearance of a radio station in the background while playing Amazon Music suggests one of these issues:

- **Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)**: A nearby AM/FM radio station’s signal is being picked up by your vehicle’s audio system, likely due to poor shielding, grounding, or a new external factor (e.g., a nearby transmitter). This is common with AM stations, as their lower frequencies (e.g., 540–1600 kHz) can more easily interfere with audio equipment.[](https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=336773)[](https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/1687/amp-picking-up-radio-stations)

- **App or Streaming Issue**: The Amazon Music app might be inadvertently streaming a radio station alongside your selected music, possibly due to a glitch, misconfigured settings, or a “radio-style” station mode kicking in.

- **Vehicle Audio System Glitch**: The Tesla’s audio system or software (e.g., infotainment) might be picking up an AM/FM stream or misrouting audio inputs, especially if a recent software update or change occurred.

- **External Device Interference**: If you’re using Bluetooth, AUX, or another device to stream Amazon Music, it could be introducing interference or cross-signaling.



### Troubleshooting Steps

Here’s a quick guide to identify and resolve the issue, assuming you’re using the Tesla’s built-in Amazon Music app via the infotainment system:



1. **Check for RFI**:

- **Symptoms**: If the background radio station is clear (e.g., you hear DJs, ads, or specific station call signs), it’s likely RFI from a local AM/FM station. AM stations (e.g., 1320 kHz, as in one case near Pittsburgh) are notorious for this, especially if a transmitter is within ~3 miles.[](https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=336773)

- **Steps**:

- Move the vehicle to a different location (e.g., a few miles away) to see if the interference persists. If it stops, a local transmitter is the culprit.

- Check if the interference occurs when the Amazon Music app is off but the audio system is on. If you still hear the radio station, it’s RFI, not an app issue.

- Inspect wiring or accessories (e.g., aftermarket chargers, USB devices) in the vehicle. Poorly shielded cables can act as antennas, picking up radio signals.[](https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/1687/amp-picking-up-radio-stations)

- Add **ferrite cores** (e.g., “31 material” for AM frequencies) to the vehicle’s power or audio cables to suppress RFI. Search “31 material ferrite core” on Amazon for options.[](https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=336773)

- Contact Tesla Service to check the audio system’s grounding and shielding, as a loose connection or degraded component could cause this after months of normal operation.



2. **Verify Amazon Music App Settings**:

- **Symptoms**: The app might be in a “radio station” mode (e.g., Amazon Music’s “Stations” feature) or stuck on a playlist that mimics radio-style streaming, causing overlap with your selected music.[](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmazonMusic/comments/ylmqjg/amazon_music_playing_random_songs/)[](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmazonMusic/comments/gn2jq3/radio_based_on_a_song/)

- **Steps**:

- Open the Amazon Music app on the Tesla touchscreen. Ensure you’re playing a specific song, album, or playlist, not a “Station” (e.g., “My Soundtrack” or “Pop Culture Radio”).[](https://music.amazon.com/stations)

- Check for the “Loop” or “Shuffle” settings in the app. Disable the loop feature, as it can cause playback issues.[](https://www.hollyland.com/blog/tips/why-does-amazon-music-stop-playing-after-30-seconds)

- Force-stop the app: Go to **Settings > Apps > Amazon Music > Force Stop** on the Tesla touchscreen, then relaunch.[](https://www.hollyland.com/blog/tips/why-does-amazon-music-stop-playing-after-30-seconds)

- Clear the app’s cache: Navigate to **Settings > Apps > Amazon Music > Storage > Clear Cache** on the touchscreen.[](https://www.hollyland.com/blog/tips/why-does-amazon-music-stop-playing-after-30-seconds)

- Update the Amazon Music app via the Tesla software menu to ensure it’s running the latest version, as outdated firmware can cause glitches.[](https://www.hollyland.com/blog/tips/why-does-amazon-music-stop-playing-after-30-seconds)



3. **Check Tesla Audio System**:

- **Symptoms**: A software update or glitch in the Tesla infotainment system might be pulling in an AM/FM stream (e.g., via TuneIn or iHeartRadio, which Tesla supports) alongside Amazon Music.[](https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx11VLHFXJ82RB6)

- **Steps**:

- Switch to another audio source (e.g., Spotify, Bluetooth, or FM radio) to see if the background station persists. If it does, the issue is with the vehicle’s audio system, not Amazon Music.

- Restart the Tesla infotainment system: Press and hold both scroll wheels on the steering yoke/wheel for ~10 seconds until the screen resets.

- Check for Tesla software updates: Go to **Controls > Software > Update** to ensure the vehicle is on the latest firmware (e.g., 2025.x.x for the Model Y or Cybertruck).

- Disable other streaming services (e.g., TuneIn, iHeartRadio) in the Tesla audio settings to prevent accidental radio playback.[](https://www.amazon.com/ask/questions/Tx11VLHFXJ82RB6)

- If the issue persists, contact Tesla Service to diagnose potential hardware issues (e.g., audio amplifier or grounding).



4. **Test Internet and Device Settings**:

- **Symptoms**: A weak Wi-Fi or cellular connection could cause the Amazon Music app to glitch, potentially switching to a default radio stream.[](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GPTQFUDBXQY85W6M)

- **Steps**:

- Ensure the Tesla is connected to a strong Wi-Fi or cellular network. Go to **Controls > Wi-Fi** or check the signal icon on the touchscreen. If using cellular, confirm the Amazon Music app is set to allow cellular data (check via a paired phone if applicable).[](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GPTQFUDBXQY85W6M)

- Move the vehicle away from potential interference sources (e.g., microwave towers, metal structures) that could disrupt Wi-Fi/cellular signals.[](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=GK5HG5WLZZ94G7AV)

- If streaming via Bluetooth from a phone, ensure no other apps (e.g., iHeartRadio) are running in the background, as they could introduce audio overlap.[](https://www.clonefileschecker.com/blog/why-amazon-prime-music-repeats-songs/)



5. **Contact Support**:

- If the above steps don’t resolve the issue, contact:

- **Amazon Music Support**: Use the Tesla touchscreen or a phone to visit https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G7J54G7GHTJTX3GT or DM @AmazonHelp on X for app-specific troubleshooting.[](https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=G52KX78SNQZSXBJ8)

- **Tesla Support**: Schedule a service appointment via the Tesla app to check for audio system hardware issues or software bugs.



### Why It Started Suddenly

- **RFI Causes**: A new local radio transmitter, a change in your parking location (e.g., closer to a station’s tower), or a loose connection in the Tesla’s audio system after months of use could introduce RFI.[](https://www.bogleheads.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=336773)

- **App/Software Glitch**: A recent Tesla software update or Amazon Music app update might have altered settings or introduced bugs, causing unintended radio streams.[](https://www.hollyland.com/blog/tips/why-does-amazon-music-stop-playing-after-30-seconds)[](https://www.reddit.com/r/AmazonMusic/comments/16df5q5/amazon_music_is_falling_apart/)

- **Environmental Change**: New electronic devices (e.g., chargers, nearby Wi-Fi routers) or a change in your vehicle’s environment (e.g., parking near a power line) could contribute to interference.[](https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/interference-radio-tv-and-telephone-signals)

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