BMW X7 Infotainment System Black Screen and Audio Failure

Hey there! I have some experience working on cars and faced a similar issue with my 2019 BMW X5. The symptoms were pretty much identical, flickering display, black screen, and no audio. Took it to my trusted workshop and it turned out the display unit itself was defective and needed replacement. The whole repair including parts and labor set me back around 725 Euro, but it fixed the problem completely. Haven't had any issues since then. Before we dig deeper into potential solutions, could you share: Have you noticed any other electrical issues? Did this start happening suddenly or gradually? Does restarting the car temporarily fix it? I know the X5 and X7 share similar systems, so I might be able to help point you in the right direction with more details. Let me know!

Thanks for the detailed response! I'm dealing with the same exact symptoms on my X7 (165170 KM). The flickering started gradually about 2 weeks ago, and now it's getting worse daily. Restarting the car helps temporarily, but the issue comes back after 10-15 minutes of driving. Haven't noticed any other electrical problems though. I actually just had my service done last month and everything was fine then. Really hoping it's not the entire display unit that needs replacing like in your case. But sounds like we're facing a similar issue. I'll probably need to bite the bullet and take it to the dealer. Just wanted to check here first to get an idea of what I might be dealing with.

Hey again! After reading your follow-up, I'm even more convinced we had the same issue. My X5 also started with occasional flickering that got progressively worse over a couple of weeks. That temporary fix with restarting is exactly what I experienced too, worked for about 10-15 minutes before acting up again. The timing of your recent service is interesting, mine also started playing up shortly after a routine service. Initially, I thought maybe something got disconnected during the service, but nope, it was definitely the display unit failing. The technician mentioned these units can sometimes fail around the 150,000-170,000 KM mark, so your mileage fits right in that range. Just to be thorough, I first tried checking all the connections and even had them update the software, but nothing helped. The display unit replacement was unfortunately the only solution. If it helps, my final repair bill was actually a bit lower than initially quoted because they found a refurbished unit. Keep us posted on what the dealer says. I'm really curious if it turns out to be the same issue. These electronics can be tricky sometimes!

Thanks so much for sharing all those details, it's super helpful! The similarities between our cases are pretty striking, especially with the mileage range and how the problem developed. I guess I should brace myself for a display unit replacement, though I'm still hoping it might be something simpler. I've actually just booked an appointment with the dealer for next week. Knowing your experience with the refurbished unit is really useful, I'll definitely ask about that option to keep costs down. The fact that your repair has held up well is reassuring too. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. It's given me a much better idea of what I might be dealing with and helped me feel more prepared for the dealer visit. I'll update this thread once I know what's actually wrong with mine. Thanks again for all the input!

BMW 420d xDrive Gran Coupe new battery. Hi Carly, Thanks for asking – I'm doing okay. However, something is on my mind: The old battery was a 12V 90Ah 900A AGM. I have now bought a new battery, a 12V 95Ah 810A AGM. I wanted to register the new battery, but I'm not sure if it worked correctly. Maybe you can help me with that? Best regards H.Yildiz

(Translated from German)

Ensure that the new battery is properly registered to your vehicle's system to avoid any charging issues. You can use a BMW-specific diagnostic tool or software to register the battery. This process updates the car's battery management system with the new battery's specifications. If you're unsure about the registration process, it might be best to have a professional handle it to ensure everything is set correctly. Let me know how it goes or if you have any further questions!