Dodge Ram Backup Camera Blank Screen [How to Fix]

Is your Dodge Ram backup camera malfunctioning? You can fix any issue in your Ram backup camera, even if you aren’t an expert.

In this post, I’ll show you how to apply these simple troubleshooting steps, so you can get the camera to resume working normally.

First off, let’s look at some possible causes of this problem.

Table of Contents

Reasons Your Dodge Ram Backup Camera is Not Working

Your Uconnect system is malfunctioning
Your camera’s fuse is blown.
The camera’s assembly has fallen apart.
Your Uconnect software is outdated.
The camera has a functional issue.
Your camera’s lens is dirty.
Your camera’s wires have loosened from the tailgate.
The camera is dead.

How to Fix Blank Screen Issues in a Dodge Ram Backup Camera

Reboot Your Uconnect System

One of the common issues in a Dodge Ram backup camera is that it shows a blank screen. This usually occurs because the Uconnect system is malfunctioning.

Rebooting your Uconnect system should fix this problem. To reboot the system, press and hold the Tune and Volume buttons for 10 seconds. Then, release the buttons.

Your backup camera should resume working properly when the reboot is complete. But if it still shows a blank screen, move on to the next tip.

Reset Your Uconnect System to Its Factory Settings

If your backup camera keeps showing a black screen after you’ve reset your Uconnect system, you might need to factory reset the system.

A factory reset will eliminate any underlying issues in the Uconnect system.

Follow these steps to factory reset the Uconnect system in your 2021 Ram backup camera:

Press the Heat and Cool buttons on your stereo system.
Your Uconnect screen will display the Engineering Menu page.
Scroll down until you find the Reset to Factory Default.

After resetting your Uconnect to factory default settings, check if your backup camera is working. If it isn’t, continue to the next tip.

Reattach the Connector to the Camera

If your backup camera displays a black screen when you reverse, the camera’s assembly might have fallen apart. A loose assembly may prevent the backup camera from detecting that you’ve shifted your gear to Reverse. This might be why the camera isn’t working.

To resolve this issue, you’ll need to rearrange your backup camera assembly.

Here’s how to rearrange your loosed Dodge Ram backup camera assembly:

Walk to your tailgate.
Unscrew the panel on the tailgate.
You’ll see your backup camera now.
Pull the snap clip at the back of the camera. This will disengage the backup camera from its plug.
Next, you need to detach the connector from the camera.
Press the edge of the connector with your finger to remove the plug from your backup camera.
If the connector refuses to budge, you can use a screwdriver to press its edge.
After removing the connector from the camera, pour some dielectric grease on it. The grease will prevent the plug from coming loose.
Now, re-insert the plug back into the camera.
Then push hard on the red tab to connect the plug tightly to the camera.

You should be able to see your rear-view image on your backup camera now.

Replace Your Backup Camera’s Fuse

Sometimes, your Ram backup camera may display a blue screen instead of your rear-view image. A blue screen usually indicates the backup camera’s fuse is loose or blown.

You might have to replace your backup camera’s fuse to fix the device. But first, confirm that the fuse is actually faulty.

Follow these steps to inspect your Ram backup camera’s fuse:

Open the hood on your truck.
Search for the fuse box in the engine compartment.
You will notice a text that says RR CAMP/PARK ASSIST. Look for a code beside this text.
The code will help you determine where the camera’s fuse is positioned.
Next, locate your backup camera’s fuse. This fuse should be labeled F19.
If the fuse looks blown, change it. You can tell that the fuse is blown if it is blackened.

Your backup camera should start showing the objects behind you.

Update Your Uconnect Software

Your Ram backup camera may stop working because the Uconnect software is outdated. Outdated software may cause your backup camera to develop issues like displaying a blue screen permanently. Old software can also prevent your backup camera from staying on when your car is set to Reverse.

When this happens, you’ll need to update your Uconnect software.

Take the following steps to update the Uconnect system software in your Dodge Ram:

Visit driveuconnect.com from the browser on your computer.
Click on the Menu button at the top right corner of the screen. Then tap on Support.
Next, choose Software Update.
You’ll be directed to the Software Update page.
There, the system will ask you to enter the 17 digits of your VIN.
You’ll find your VIN on a sticker on your driver’s doorjamb.
After entering your VIN, click on View Available Updates.
If there is an update available for your car, the update will appear on the screen. Note the version of the software update.
When you tap on the update, you’ll be taken to the Download page.
Click on Download Update to start downloading the software update file.
Once the download is complete, transfer the file to a USB flash drive.
Then, start your car’s engine and leave it to idle.
Your Uconnect system will come on.
Open your Uconnect menu and click on Settings. Then choose System Information.
The system will now display the current software version. Ensure that this version is older than the software update you’ve just downloaded.
Insert your flash drive into one of the USB ports on your car.
The system will tell you it is validating the update.
After validating the update, your Uconnect system will ask to confirm that you want to update your software.
Click on Yes to continue.
The system will go off.
When it comes back on, it will start the update. The update should last for about 20 minutes.
Once the update is complete, the system will go off and turn back on again.
Your Uconnect will restart now.
Click on the Accept button to open the Uconnect menu.
The system will start loading to register the changes from the software update.
After loading the new settings, your Uconnect system will validate the software update again.
Then, it will notify you that the software update is complete.
You may also get a message asking if you want to reinstall the update.
Click on No if you see this message.

Your backup camera should be working properly now.

Reboot Your Camera

Do green lines appear over your backup camera while you are reversing? Then, your camera might have a functional issue.

When these green lines appear above the image on your camera, you might not see the picture clearly. This is why you need to remove these green lines.

You can remove the green lines on your backup camera by rebooting the camera.

Take the following steps to reboot your Dodge Ram backup camera:

Go into your car and close all the doors.
Ensure that your vehicle is set to Park gear.
Press and hold the push button for two seconds.
Your car’s dashboard light will turn on.
Release the push button start.
Next, tap on the top right corner of your camera’s screen.
Hold your finger on this area for 20 seconds.
Switch off your ignition.
Then, turn it on again.
You can now start your engine.

You won’t see any green lines on your camera’s screen after this.

Clean Your Backup Camera’s Lens

As you drive your Dodge Ram truck around, your backup camera’s lens will gather dirt. The images on a dirty camera usually look cloudy, making you think the camera is faulty.

You’ll need to clean your camera’s lens to resolve this issue. But merely wiping the lens won’t eliminate the problem.

You have to wipe, sand, and polish the camera’s lens if you want the images on the screen to look sharp.

Follow these steps to clean your backup camera’s lens thoroughly:

Pour water into a spraying can. Then use the spraying can to spray water over your camera.
Next, clean the camera with a microfiber towel.
Make sure to wipe every area of the camera.
Next, use a 3000-grit sandpaper to sand the backup camera.
Add some polish to a polish ball. Then drag the polish ball over your camera’s screen.
Don’t forget to polish the edges of your backup camera.

Once you’ve cleaned your camera’s lens, you’ll be able to see the images on the screen clearly. But if you can’t, move on to the next tip.

Tighten Your Camera’s Wires to the Tailgate

Another reason your Ram backup camera may stop working is a loose wire. Because of the constant shaking of your car, your backup camera’s wires might have disconnected from its tailgate.

You can tell that your backup camera’s wires have come loose if the images on the camera look foggy. If you are facing this issue, you’ll need to tighten your backup camera’s wires to the tailgate.

Here’s how to do that:

Get a flathead screwdriver, a ratchet, a T30 bit, and some tie wraps. You can find all these tools on Amazon.
Use the T30 bit and a ratchet to remove the star-shaped screws on the tailgate access panel.
Once you’ve unbolted these screws, keep them safe.
Locate your backup camera inside the tailgate.
Then, insert the flathead screwdriver between the camera’s wires.
Ask someone to monitor the camera’s screen.
Use your screwdriver to wiggle the wires until the images on the screen become clear.
Now, use tie wraps to prevent the wires from shifting from their current position.
Return the panel and screws to their original position, and close your tailgate.

After trying this tip, your backup camera will stop showing blurry images or a blank screen. But if you still see the foggy images, try the next tip.

Replace Your Backup Camera

If your backup camera keeps malfunctioning after you’ve tried the tips above, the camera might be dead. As such, you’ll need to replace it.

You can find a new backup camera for your Dodge Ram truck on Amazon.

Follow these steps to replace the backup camera in your Dodge Ram car:

Open up your tailgate.

Connect a T30 bit to your drill.
Use this drill to remove the screws on your tailgate access panel.
Next, you need to remove the T20 bolts holding your camera to the tailgate.
Link a T20 bit to a ratchet and use it to remove these bolts.
You should be able to detach the camera from your tailgate now.
Take out the new backup camera.
Hold the end of this camera to the tailgate and use your T20 bits to screw the bolts back into place.
Now, replace your tailgate access panel and screws back into place.

You should be able to see images clearly on your backup camera now.

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Wrapping Up

If you follow the steps I’ve explained here, your backup camera should resume working normally. However, if none of these tips fixes the camera, ask your dealer for help.