If your Ford SYNC screen is frozen, black, lagging, or not responding, try a simple system reset first. A normal reset is different from a Master/Factory Reset because it generally does not erase your saved settings.
Ford SYNC Screen Reset Steps
Keep the vehicle running or in accessory mode.
Try restarting the SYNC system using the audio controls. On supported Ford SYNC versions, Ford recommends either:
Quickly press the audio Power button five times, or
Press and hold the audio Power button for about 10 seconds.
Allow the screen to shut down and restart.
Wait for the Ford/SYNC startup screen to appear.
Check whether the touchscreen, Bluetooth, navigation, Apple CarPlay, or Android Auto is working normally again.
How to Master Reset a Ford SYNC Screen
If the basic restart does not solve the problem, you can perform a Master or Factory Reset. Be aware that this can erase paired phones and customized SYNC settings.
For many Ford SYNC systems, go to:
Settings → System or General → Master Reset / Reset Options → Factory Reset
Then follow the instructions displayed on the screen. Ford confirms that the screen may temporarily go blank while the factory reset is completed.
For SYNC 3, the usual path is:
Settings → General → Master Reset → Continue.
If the Ford SYNC Screen Is Completely Black
If you cannot access the touchscreen menus, first shut the vehicle off, open and close the driver's door, wait briefly, and restart the vehicle. Then try the physical audio-button reset.
If the screen continues to stay black or repeatedly freezes after resetting, the problem may involve the SYNC software, APIM module, display, fuse, wiring, or battery voltage rather than a temporary software glitch.
Tip: Try the regular SYNC restart before performing a Master Reset, since a factory reset removes saved SYNC information.