Honda HandsFreeLink Troubleshooting & How to Guide

William Long

The Bluetooth technology has made driving so much easier and safer. However, it can be pretty frustrating when it doesn’t work correctly. Hondas have the HandsFreeLink system that uses Bluetooth wireless technology to allow drivers to make and receive calls without touching the phone.

Manufacturers have made the HandsFreeLink system very straightforward and user-friendly. When issues arise, you can use our step-by-step guide on using various Honda HandsFreeLink features and troubleshooting the most commonly reported problems.

How to pair your phone to your Honda HandsFreeLink

HandsFreeLink connects wirelessly to your smartphone through Bluetooth, allowing you to make and receive calls hands-free, stream music, and perform a turn by turn navigation. To pair the system to your smartphone, follow the steps below.

  • Activate Bluetooth on your mobile phone.
  • With your car still on, put the vehicle on parking.
  • Press the Phone button on your Honda multimedia screen.
  • Press ‘Yes’ to confirm the prompt.
  • Select ‘Yes’ again to add a new device to the system.
  • Check your phone to make sure it is on discovery mode.
  • Select ‘Add Bluetooth device.’
  • Select ‘Continue’.
  • Select your phone on your Honda multimedia screen.
  • If your phone does not appear on the list, press refresh.
  • If your phone is still not on the list, press ‘Phone not found.’
  • Search for Bluetooth devices on your phone.
  • Select ‘Honda HandsFreeLink’ from the list of available networks and wait for the pairing to finish.
  • The system will send a pairing code on your vehicle’s screen and to your phone. Verify that the pairing code match.
  • A notification will appear on the screen when pairing is successful.

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How do I reset my Honda HandsFreeLink?

Resetting your vehicle’s HandsFreeLink system will delete everything stored in its memory, including contacts, call logs, music, and even passcodes. After a successful reset, you will have to relink the phone again to use the system. Keep in mind that the reset process may vary depending on the Honda model, but you have to delete your vehicle’s profile from your phone and then delete your phone from the vehicle’s system. Resetting the Honda’s HandsFreeLink is as straightforward as follows:

  • Delete your vehicle’s profile from your paired Bluetooth list on your phone.
  • Turn off Bluetooth on your phone.
  • On your Honda’s multimedia screen, press ‘Settings.’
  • Go to ‘Phone settings.’
  • Select ‘Bluetooth device list.’
  • Select the device you want to delete.
  • Select ‘Delete this device.’
  • Press ‘Confirm’
  • Turn your vehicle and your mobile off and on again. The system is now reset and ready for pairing.

To reset a Honda Civic;

  • Hold down 1 and 6 number buttons simultaneously for about 5-10 seconds.
  • The display will read ‘Audio off .’ While still pressing buttons 1 and 6, press the power button.
  • A ‘Manual diag’ drop-down list will appear, select ‘Version/system.’
  • Press 1 until the ‘Version Display’ menu appears.
  • Select ‘Bluetooth reflash.’

Why isn’t my phone connecting to my Honda?

Before connecting your phone to your Honda, make sure that they are compatible with each other. Make sure your phone has the latest Bluetooth to help with troubleshooting. If there is still a paring issue, there are steps you can take to fix the problem.

  1. Confirm that the Bluetooth on your phone is on. Your phone will always indicate the Bluetooth symbol on the top right corner of the screen when it is on. To turn the Bluetooth on, go to your phone’s settings>Devices>Bluetooth. You can also press the Bluetooth symbol on your phone’s taskbar.
  2. Ensure your mobile phone has sufficient charge. A mobile phone with a low battery charge will put out a very weak Bluetooth signal that cannot pair with the vehicle’s signal. Since Bluetooth HandsFreeLink depends on radio waves, the phone will a weak signal will struggle with connecting.
  3. Make sure the phone connects with the vehicle. After turning your phone’s Bluetooth, its on discovery mode, press the home button on your Honda’s infotainment system, usually on the dashboard or steering wheel. Once your Honda finds your phone’s signal, the system will display a code that you will need to input or confirm on your phone and, therefore, pairing the device.
  4. Perform a soft reset of your phone by switching it off and then on again and try reconnecting.
  5. There could be other Bluetooth devices that are causing interference and preventing your phone from connecting to your car. Remove other paired devices such as laptops, tablets, and speakers from the car’s system and switch off their Bluetooth. Also, there is usually a limit to the number of devices you can pair with your phone, so it is best to clear other devices from the car’s system.
  6. If the connection issues persist, you have to clear all devices from your vehicle’s system and reconnect them.
  7. Firmware updates of the Bluetooth system in your vehicle will prevent the system from working. Manufacturers release firmware updates to improve the vehicle’s systems regarding security, connectivity, and functionality. Contact your location Honda dealer for the latest update or download the update yourself into a flash drive and upload it physically through the USB port.

 How to initiate the HandsFreeLink diagnostic self-test?

To run the HandsFreeLink diagnostic self-test on your Honda, you must put the system on idle mode. To start the self-diagnostic test;

Insert the key in the ignition and put the vehicle in accessory mode.

  • Find the HandsFreeLink control panel on the left side of the steering wheel hub.
  • Press and hold the cancel button for about five seconds.
  • The HandsFreeLink system will enter into the self-diagnostic mode, and the following will happen;
  • If the system is OK and there are no diagnostic trouble codes, the front speaker audibly outputs ‘The HandsFreeLink is OK. The test ends and exits itself automatically.
  • If there are any diagnostic trouble codes, the front speaker outputs ‘The HandsFreeLink is NG’ and requires troubleshooting.

 Honda HandsFreeLink has no sound.

Once you connect your phone to your Honda and there is no audio, you can troubleshoot the issue using the following steps.

  • Turn up the volume on the car speakers.
  • Turn up the volume on your mobile phone and make sure it is not on mute.
  • Confirm the Bluetooth connection between your phone and car, and then test the audio by streaming music.
  • Check if you set a passcode. You have to unlock the system using the passcode to activate it.
  • If the problem persists, there may be a wiring problem in your vehicle’s speakers. You have to get a professional technician to fix any short or broken wires.

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 All Honda HandsFreeLink Voice Commands List

The Honda HandsFreeLink has a voice recognition feature that allows the driver to use the phone hands-free using simple voice commands. The microphone above the driver will pick up voice commands for the system and automatically dial, receive and perform other tasks. For the system to work, you have to use the tips below.

  • Press the talk button once to activate and then wait for a beep to speak in a clear natural voice.
  • Cancel out background noise by closing the windows and moonroof and angle the dashboard AC vents away from the microphone.

For the system to perform instructions, it only recognizes the list of voice commands, which include;

  • To make a call:
    • Say ‘dial by number.’
    • Say the phone number, and the system dials.
  • To use the phonebook:
    • Say ‘dial by name.’
    • Say the phonebook name and the number type. For example, ‘Jane Doe mobile.’
  • To speed dial:
    • Say ‘dial by name.’
    • Say the stored voice tag name. For example, ‘Jane Doe.’
  • To hear general information on the system, including help using the system:
    • Say ‘Tutorial.’

To see a list of other voice commands, press and release the talk button, wait for the beep, and say ‘Voice help.’

How to Delete a Phone from a Honda HandsFreeLink

To remove a paired phone from the Honda HandsFreeLink, follow the simple steps explained below.

  • Press the phone icon on the vehicle’s screen.
  • Select settings.
  • Press ‘Change selected phone.’
  • Select the phone you want to delete.
  • Press ‘Delete device’ and confirm.

Using voice control

  • Press the Talk button, wait for the beep and say, “Phone setup.”
  • The system will respond, “‘Phone setup options are status, pair, edit, delete, and list.’’
  • Press the Talk button and say, “Delete.”
  • The system will say, “ Which phone would you like to delete?”
  • Press the Talk button on the steering wheel and say the name of the phone you want to delete, like, “Jane’s phone.”
  • The system will say, “Would you like to delete Jane’s phone?’’
  • Press the Talk button and say, “Yes.”
  • The system will say, Preparing to delete Jane’s pone.”
  • Press the Talk button ad say, “OK.”
  • The system will say, “The phone has been deleted.”
  • Press the Talk button and say, “Go back” to return to the main menu.

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 How to change the pairing code setting

  • Press the home button.
  • Select ‘Phone setup.’
  • Press ‘Bluetooth setup.’
  • Press ‘Pass-key’
  • Enter the new passcode and confirm.

Conclusion

The Honda HandsFreeLink is an essential feature in your car as it allows you to receive and make calls without being distracted from driving. It is best to use our guide to fix any issues and maintain its functionality.