Chrysler 300 Backup Camera Not Working [Quick Fix]

Your Chrysler 300 backup camera hasn’t been working for a while. Every time you switch your gear to Reverse, the camera doesn’t get any signal. Now, you are tired of managing the situation. So, you’re looking for a way to fix the problem.

If this sounds like you, you are at the right place. This post will explore the possible reasons the backup camera has stopped working. You’ll also learn how to solve each problem on your own.

Table of Contents

Why Would My Chrysler 300 Backup Camera Just Stop Working?

Your Chrysler backup camera may not be working because of a functional issue, low brightness, outdated software, or a factory error. Other issues that prevent the Chrysler backup camera from working are a loose connector and a broken system.

Keep reading this article to learn how to fix these issues.

How to Fix Chrysler 300 Backup Camera Problems

Open and Close Your Trunk

Several Chrysler 300 drivers have claimed that they were able to fix their backup camera by opening and shutting the trunk immediately. It’s a little unclear why this solution works. A possible explanation is that the force that emanates from closing the trunk removes the bugs in the camera.

Before you try other solutions in this article, consider opening and closing the trunk. If this tip doesn’t solve the problem, continue to the next step.

Use a Tazer to Enable Backup Camera Settings on Your Car

Did you just install your backup camera on your Chrysler 300, and the camera isn’t working? Then, chances are the backup camera’s settings are disabled. The deactivation of the camera settings may have occurred due to a factory error in the car.

Luckily, there is a way to enable camera settings on your car with minimal action. This method involves using an electronic plug-in device known as a Tazer to activate the settings.

You can order your Tazer from the Z Automotive website.

Take the following steps to use your new tazer to enable camera settings on your Chrysler 300:

Remove your tazer from its box.
If your Chrysler 300 model year is between 2011 and 2014, plug the tazer into the USB port underneath your dash.
However, if you use a newer model, you’ll need to connect an adapter to your port before inserting the tazer.
Next, turn your ignition to the On position.
Your control panel will turn on.
Turn off your radio.
Press the Back and Cancel buttons simultaneously until the tabs appear at the top of the screen.
The first tab you’ll see is LightShow?
Keep pressing and holding the Back and Cancel buttons until you see the Marry option.
Release these buttons.
Now, press and hold the Back button.
Then, press the Cruise Control button to select the Marry option.
The dashboard will inform you that it is marrying the tazer.
This process should take about 10 seconds.
When the tazer is completely married to the dashboard, press the Back and Cancel buttons to keep scrolling through the dashboard.
Release the buttons when you get to the Radio option.
Then, press Back and Cruise Control to select the option.
Release the Cruise Control button.
Scroll through the dash until you find Cam En: No.
This means that the backup camera is disabled.
Tap the Cruise Control button to turn enable the camera settings.
Then, search for other camera options in the Radio menu and activate them all.
Finally, exit the Radio menu.

Your backup camera should display your rear-view image now.

Related: How to Fix Dodge Journey Backup Camera Problems.

Increase Your Camera’s Brightness

If your backup camera’s brightness is too low, the screen will be black. This might make you think that the camera isn’t working.

You’ll have to increase your camera’s brightness to resolve this issue.

Take the following steps to increase the brightness on your Chrysler 300 backup camera:

Tap on the Display button on your Uconnect system.
You’ll see separate settings for Lights-On and Lights-Off.
Increase the brightness settings for both options.

Is your backup camera working now? If not, check out the next tip.

Restart Your Uconnect System

Your backup camera might show a black screen because your Uconnect system is malfunctioning. This is because the Uconnect system controls the backup camera and other electronic devices on the head unit. So, any issue in the Uconnect system may manifest in the electronic devices on the head unit.

You can tell that your Uconnect system is problematic if another device on your head unit has misbehaved recently.

The quickest way to fix a faulty Uconnect system is to restart it.

Here’s how to restart the Uconnect system on your Chrysler 300:

Put the car in Park.
Turn the ignition to Run.
Next, press and hold the volume and tuner knobs simultaneously for about 20 seconds.
The Uconnect screen will go off.
Then, the system will boot up again.

If the black screen reappears on your backup camera after the reboot, move on to the next step.

Related: Tips to Troubleshoot Toyota 4Runner Backup Camera Issues.

Update Your Uconnect System Software

Another way to repair your faulty backup camera is to update your Uconnect system software.

As your Uconnect system ages, its performance deteriorates. This exposes the system to bugs, thus causing your backup camera and other features in your head unit to malfunction.

To combat these issues, Fiat Chrysler frequently creates software updates for the Uconnect system. These updates contain bug fixes and feature upgrades that improve the performance and security of your Uconnect system.

The following guide will show you how to update the Uconnect system on your Chrysler 300:

Get an empty USB drive with over 4GB of memory.
Open the browser on your computer.
Enter — https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html
Enter your 17-digit VIN in the search bar beside the Check for Updates button.
If an update is available for your vehicle, it will appear on your screen.
Plug your empty USB drive into your computer and click on Get Started.
You’ll see a tutorial showing you how to download the software update quickly with a special download manager called Akamai NetSession.
If you’d prefer to download the update directly to your computer, scroll down and click the alternative download link at the bottom of the screen.
Once the download is complete, double-click the file to extract it to your USB drive.
Now, unplug the drive from your computer and connect it to the USB port on your car.
Make sure your vehicle is well-ventilated.
Then, start the car.
Keep your vehicle parked until you finish updating your Uconnect system.
Your Uconnect system will boot up.
Then, the system will ask you to confirm that you want to update your software to the new version.
Ensure that your current software version is older than the update you’ve just downloaded.
Tap on Yes to confirm the update.
The system will inform you that it is resetting.
This reset may take up to 35 seconds.
The system will go off now.
Then, it will turn back on and start installing the software update.
Leave your vehicle on until the installation is over.
After installing the software, the system will reboot.
Wait for about 90 seconds after the system turns back on.
A notification will appear, asking you to confirm the update.
Verify that the two software versions in this message match.
Then, click on No.
The update is now complete, and you can remove your USB drive from the port on your car.

If your backup camera still acts up after you’ve updated your Uconnect system, continue to the next tip.

Add Dielectric Grease to Your Camera’s Connector

Does your backup camera only work intermittently? Then, you might have a loose connection.

Your connector is loose because it is rusty. This rust weakens the contacts in the camera’s connector, thus breaking their tight hold on the radio unit.

Unplug your camera’s connector. Then, check the contacts for rust. If the contacts are rusty, the camera’s connector will be loose.

You can fix your loose backup camera’s connector by applying dielectric grease to the contacts in the connector. This grease will kill the rust in the connector. We recommend using the Permatex Dielectric Tune-Up Grease for your car.

After adding this grease to your connector, re-plug it into your car. Then, move your gear to Reverse and check if your backup camera is working. If the camera stays off, move on to the next step.

Related: How to Fix Lincoln Backup Camera Issues.

Replace the Camera

If you’ve tried all the steps above, yet none of them fixes your backup camera, the camera is probably dead. In that case, you’ll need to replace the device.

Take these steps to replace the backup camera in your Chrysler 300:

Open up your trunk.
Locate the trim piece on the underside of your trunk.
Pull out the clips on the trim piece with a Phillips screwdriver.
Then, use a flathead screwdriver to pop the clips off the trim piece.
Now, remove the trim piece for your trunk.
You’ll see your backup camera mounted on a panel behind several plugs.
Remove the 10mm bolts holding down these plugs with a 10 mm socket.
Identify your camera’s connector and unplug it.
You’ll be able to detach the panel holding your backup camera now.
Using a flathead screwdriver, pop off the camera from the panel.
Now, remove the old backup camera and insert your new camera.
Re-install the panel, bolts, clips, and trim piece onto your trunk.

Tutorial video:

Once you replace your backup camera, the device will work perfectly.

Wrapping Up

You’ll fix your backup camera permanently if you apply the tips above using the recommended steps. If your backup camera fails to work after you’ve followed our guidelines, contact your dealer.