Jeep Gladiator Backup Camera Not Working [How to Fix]

Are you searching for a way to repair the broken backup camera in your Jeep Gladiator? If so, you are on the right page.

In this post, I’ve explained the common reasons your backup camera stopped working, and how you can fix it.

Common issues that prevent a Jeep Gladiator backup camera from working include a faulty stereo system and outdated software. You can resolve these problems by rebooting your stereo system or updating your software.

Keep reading to get more details about how to fix your broken backup camera.

Table of Contents

Why is My Jeep Gladiator Backup Not Working?

If your Jeep Gladiator backup camera is not working, here are some reasons behind this issue:

Your infotainment system has developed a functional error.
Your camera’s brightness is too low.
There is a bug in your backup camera
The stereo system is downloading a software update.
The Uconnect software is outdated.
Your tazer is malfunctioning
Your wire connectors have gone bad.

How to Fix Jeep Gladiator Backup Camera Problems

Wait for the Software Update to Complete

Do you see a Camera Unavailable message on your backup camera’s screen? Then, your infotainment system might be downloading a new software update for your camera. During this update, the system puts the backup camera on downtime to prevent the device from developing problems.

Fiat Chrysler always sends a recall notice to drivers’ emails a few days before releasing the software update. If you’ve already seen this recall in your email before getting the Camera Unavailable message, you’ll have to wait several hours for the update to end.

Increase Your Backup Camera’s Brightness

Sometimes, your backup camera may not display any messages. Instead, the camera’s screen may turn so black that you can’t see any images on the screen. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the device is problematic.

Rather, a black screen on your backup camera might indicate that the camera’s brightness is too low. Once you increase the brightness, you should be able to see your rear-view image on the camera.

Follow these steps to your backup camera’s brightness:

Tap on the Home button on your stereo system. Then press the Apps button.
Click on Display.
You’ll be taken to the Adjust Contrast/Brightness page.
Tap on the Camera option. Then click on the + icon until you can see the images on the screen clearly.

If your camera’s screen stays black after you’ve adjusted its brightness, move on to the next tip.

Power-cycle Your Backup Camera

If your backup camera keeps showing a black screen, there might be some bugs in the device. Power cycling the camera should remove these bugs.

Here’s how to power-cycle your backup camera:

Use your vehicle’s owner’s manual to locate your backup camera’s fuse.
Disconnect the fuse from your car and wait for 30 seconds.
Then reconnect the fuse to the vehicle.

If your backup camera is still malfunctioning after this, continue to the next step.

Reboot Your Stereo System

Another reason your backup camera in your Jeep Gladiator may stop working is a faulty stereo system. You can fix this problem by rebooting the system.

Follow these steps to reboot your infotainment system:

Press and hold the power button on your radio for 15-20 seconds.
Release the button.
Then press and hold the radio’s power button for another 15 seconds.
This will force your infotainment system to restart.

After rebooting your infotainment system, it may take a few hours for the backup camera to start working again. If the backup camera doesn’t function properly within 5 hours after the reboot, try the next tip.

Update Your Uconnect Software Manually

An outdated Uconnect software can also prevent your backup camera from functioning properly.

Uconnect is the infotainment system on your Jeep Gladiator. This system usually downloads software updates automatically as soon as Fiat Chrysler releases the update. But due to network problems, the system might delay loading the update, thus forcing your backup camera to keep operating with outdated firmware.

Using outdated software on your stereo system makes the backup camera vulnerable to malware. Once the camera suffers a malware attack, the device may display a black screen instead of your rear-view image.

To fix this problem, you’ll have to update the Uconnect manually.

Here’s how to update your Uconnect software manually:

Go to the Uconnect website (driveuconnect.com) on your computer.
Tap on the Menu icon at the top of the page.
Now, click on Support and choose Software Update.
You’ll see an instruction on the Homepage asking you to input your VIN. Your VIN is the 17-digit number on your driver’s doorjamb.
Once you’ve entered your VIN, click on Check for Updates.
If an update is available for your car, the website will display it. Make sure to note the software version for future reference.
Tap on the update to go to the Download page.
Click on Download Update to start downloading the update.
After downloading the update, use a flash drive to extract the files from your computer.
Now, turn on your engine and leave it to idle.
Open your Uconnect menu.
Tap on Settings. Then click on System Information to find the current software version of your vehicle.
Confirm that your current software version is older than the update you’ve downloaded to your flash drive.
Connect your flash drive to one of the USB ports on your car.
The system will show that it is validating the software update.
Click on Ok and wait for the system to finish validating the update.
Once the validation is complete, the system will notify you and ask if you want to start the update.
Tap on Yes to confirm that you want to begin the update.
The Uconnect system will go off and start updating. The update should take about 20 minutes.
Your stereo system will turn off again once the update is complete. Then it will restart.
Tap on Accept to open the menu again.
The Uconnect system will start loading to update the changes.
After the system has loaded all the new settings, it will start validating the software update.
You’ll be notified once the validation is complete.
Your Uconnect will also inform you that the software update is complete.
Next, the system will ask you if you want to reinstall the update.
Click on No to complete the update.

After updating your Uconnect software, open your backup camera and check if the device is working properly. If not, try the next tip.

Disable Your Backup camera on your Tazer

Is your backup camera displaying a blue screen? Then, your tazer might be malfunctioning.

The Tazer JL Mini is an aftermarket part for the Jeep Gladiator that lets drivers change factory settings on their cars. Although the Tazer is an efficient component, some of the settings in the system tend to be problematic. For instance, the Camera Enable setting on the tazer often causes the backup camera to show a blue screen, instead of your rear view.

The only way to resolve this problem is to disable the backup camera on the tazer.

Here’s how to do that:

Plug your tazer into the Security Gateway Module.
Switch off your engine and turn your ignition key to the RUN position.
The Vehicle Settings screen will appear on your tazer.
Press the HOLD and CRUISE CANC buttons simultaneously to open and scroll through the Menu until you find the Camera Enable setting.
The Camera Enable option should be set to YES.
Press the HOLD and CRUISE ON buttons together to change the setting to NO.
The new setting will be saved automatically.

Replace Your Wire Connectors

Your backup camera is supposed to display objects as they appear in your rear view. But if the camera starts showing all items in black and white, your camera’s wiring might be problematic.

In that case, you might need to change your wire connectors. But first, you should check whether there is power in your camera’s wires.

Study the wiring diagram in your vehicle’s user manual to locate your backup camera’s wires. Then, use a voltmeter to measure the power in the wires. If you don’t find any power in these wires, replace the connectors on the wires.

Your backup camera should start displaying images in their correct color after you’ve changed the bad connectors on your backup camera’s wires. But if the camera is still malfunctioning, move on to the next tip.

Reboot Your Car

If none of the tips above fixes your Jeep Gladiator backup camera, you’ll need to reboot your car.

Follow these steps to reboot your Jeep Gladiator:

Turn off your engine.
Disconnect your battery terminals from the car.
While the battery terminals are still disconnected, switch on your engine.
Then, turn on your headlights and leave them on for a few minutes.
Switch off the headlights and your engine.
Now, reconnect your battery terminals to your car and turn on your engine.

Your backup camera should be working properly now.

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Wrapping Up

If you apply these tips correctly, your backup camera should resume working normally. However, if your backup camera keeps malfunctioning after you’ve tried all the solutions here, contact your dealer for further assistance.