Top 10 Reasons for Tesla Model S Autopilot Not Working
Do you fall under the category of Tesla owners who have, somehow, experienced some bug or malfunction with Autopilot mode? No Worries! Here are some most likely reasons for your concern, namely “Tesla model S autopilot not working”.
1. Calibration in Process
The ongoing calibration is the most probable reason why Autopilot is not working in your Tesla Model S.
When the car is new or has been reset, it would require some time (maybe days or weeks) for it to get used to the roads. The Autopilot would be unavailable as the calibration process of cameras & other sensors is still in progress.
Once your Tesla completes its calibrating progress, it will be back on track, and you will see your Grey Wheel icon (Autopilot). Just rack some miles up on the road to speed up the process.
Note: Do not reset the system repeatedly as it would only restart the calibration process, eventually taking up more time.
2. GPS Failure
This issue has been reported several times by the Tesla owners. Their GPS pointer on the Map gets stuck on the screen, evidently a GPS Failure. This failure will allow Tesla to back out from Autopilot as it requires location services to work.
Moreover, there can be problems of GPS unable to detect & show real-time or correct locations, owing to unnecessary resets. It could lead to the Tesla Model S Autopilot not working in the first place.
You can restart the system or get it checked by the respective professionals at any Tesla service center.
3. Faulty Autopilot Cameras
The Tesla Model S comes with exactly eight cameras that map the surroundings of the entire car for 360-degree visibility. These cameras have a range of 250 meters, playing a fundamental role in the precise autopilot functionality.
Cameras being one of the most significant accessories in providing the autopilot capability to the car, their unavailability will definitely create a problem.
Additionally, this “camera unavailable temporarily” problem can occur from the hardware fault. Hence, your Tesla will not show the Autopilot icon for you to access on detection of camera problems.
4. Outdated Software
The Tesla Autopilot is an AI software programmed to ease the driving experience of the drivers by self-driving. This system consists of various functionalities, namely Auto-steering, self-park, auto-accelerate or decelerate, autonomous brakes, etc.
Its advanced software takes care of all the functions provided you must update it to the latest version. Delaying or avoiding the system updates would lead to the problem of Autopilot not working. Hence, you need to ensure that your Tesla model S gets updated regularly, which would eventually improve its functionality over time.
Solution: In order for this car to work flawlessly, downloading & installing regular updates is necessary.
5. Battery Performance
This problem could be rare but fairly possible in the case of electric cars. It is when the Autopilot is unable to read the battery, causing the malfunction of the Tesla Model S autonomous driving system.
What happens is your Tesla detects some problem with the battery system and removes that grey wheel sign (Autopilot ready to use). Tesla car refrains the driver from using Autopilot owing to safety purposes and reminds for any discrepancies.
Solution: You can reset the system or get your Tesla model checked at a service center.
6. Unable to Read Maps
Maps are the intrinsic part of Tesla’s Autopilot function, and inaccessibility to those would be a hindrance. It is highly likely that your Autopilot will not work if the maps are somehow not readable or experiencing a problem in getting loaded.
Tesla will not be able to synchronize with the destination causing several other safety issues. Hence, you will not see the Autopilot option (Grey wheel) on the screen to engage (blue wheel) it.
Solution: The first-hand solution is to restart the system or take it to the Tesla service centers otherwise.
7. Motherboard Malfunctioned
Here is another probable reason that might engender the issue of this Autopilot function not working in the Tesla Model S car.
A motherboard is present in every electronic device which runs the whole system and acts as the base of all the fundamental components. If the motherboard fails by any chance, it will fail to deliver the performance required for the Autopilot function.
This problem can cause Tesla cars to either not show the Autopilot icon or won’t respond when you engage it. Most probably, it links to the hardware capability and requires immediate action to fix the underlying complication.
Solution: The car owners should not overlook it as this motherboard problem can aggravate in no time, causing terrible safety snags, and should call for Tesla service centers.
8. Needs Service
The car comes loaded with pretty impressive and comprehensive features that can awe any customer until they create unexpected problems.
Tesla Model S would require the service in two situations. First, a primitive one where your car develops issues or glitches in its nascent driving stages due to the technical backlogs. Second, you have driven it enough that it is high time you took it to the service center. Whatever the situation is, Tesla will notify in either case.
You will experience the Autopilot not working issue if the malfunctioned components requiring service affect the Autopilot systems. Moreover, other malfunctions can engender from this, which even proves a more earnest situation to act upon.
Solution: You must take your Tesla to the service center at once to rectify the issue.
9. Weather Outside
Tesla Autopilot feature incorporates eight cameras, twelve sensors, and other components to reach the accuracy, labeled as safe for driving.
However, these system components could experience quite inevitable problems because of natural weather changes. For example, the droplets of outpouring rain sitting on the cameras will result in degraded visibility. It might be temporary as notified by your car and would resolve when thoroughly cleaned.
In addition to that, sometimes, these embedded sensors stop collecting the data owing to the hot temperatures outside. All these situations would result in complications with Autopilot mode and would eventually disable it.
10. Installing 3rd party Apps
The Tesla Model S has an operating system capable of installing many applications, including Tesla’s official apps and others. In this case, the driver has to see if the installed third-party apps interfere with the Autopilot system.
If your Tesla somehow detects any inconsistency with the system, it would disable the Autopilot to avoid future mishaps. Hence, you must disable these problematic apps if the Autopilot function finds them unreliable.
Last Thoughts
The aforementioned reasons should have given you the complete notion about the underlying Tesla Model S Autopilot not working situation. We prioritize safety first, insisting you consider every aspect and drive your Tesla attentively. Try to engage with the Autopilot when you are awake, not asleep.
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