Audi S8 Audio System Dead: Common Module Failure

Similar issue occurred on my 2013 Audi S7. As someone with moderate experience working on Audi sound systems, I can share my troubleshooting journey. The head unit display started showing unusual artifacts, followed by audio problems matching your description. The dashboard controls became completely unresponsive, and the Bluetooth problem appeared shortly after. After initial self-diagnosis attempts, I took it to a workshop. They found the main display unit was defective, affecting all car speakers and system functions. The root cause was a failing control module within the head unit itself. The repair required: Complete head unit replacement, System recoding, Audio component testing Total cost came to 725 Euro including parts and labor. The workshop completed everything in about 4 days. To provide more specific guidance for your case, could you share: Whether your car has the standard or premium sound system, If the MMI system shows any visual glitches, The exact fault codes from your diagnostic scan, If the issues started after any specific event (software update, battery replacement, etc.) This information would help determine if your problem matches what I experienced or if its potentially something different.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the S7. After reading through other forum posts, I discovered this seems to be a recurring issue across several Audi models. For context: Last service done at 11500KM, currently at 11854KM. The static noise in my car speakers started right after the MMI system received an update. The audio quality deteriorated within days. Unlike your case, my display shows no visual artifacts, but the dashboard controls for audio are completely dead. I did a full diagnostic scan yesterday and got fault code 02635. The dealership quoted 950 Euro for a potential head unit replacement, which seems steep compared to your repair costs. Would it be worth trying a system reset before proceeding with the replacement? The sound system is the standard version, not the premium package.

Thanks for the additional details about your S8. Our issues do seem related, but a few key differences make me think yours might have a different root cause. In my S7 case, the visual artifacts were a clear indicator of hardware failure. Since your display works fine and the problems started after an MMI update, this points more toward a software or configuration issue rather than hardware failure. Before spending 950 Euro on a head unit replacement, try these steps that worked for other owners with post-update audio issues: 1. Disconnect the battery for 30 minutes 2. Perform a hard reset of the MMI system 3. Clear the fault codes and check if 02635 returns The static noise and degrading audio quality following an update strongly suggests a software conflict. My repair needed hardware replacement because of clear physical signs of component failure. If the reset steps dont resolve the sound system issues, consider getting a second opinion on the repair quote. The standard audio system typically has fewer components that could fail compared to the premium setup. The timing of your problems right after the MMI update is the key difference from my case. This could save you hundreds in unnecessary parts replacement if its just a software issue.

Thanks for the detailed S7 info. Your repair experience really helps put things in perspective. My S8 has fault code 02635, standard sound system, and audio issues started right after an MMI update. All volume control and audio functions are dead with no display glitches. The 950 Euro dealership quote for head unit replacement seems high compared to your 725 Euro repair. Since my problems began post-update and theres no visual display issues, I will try the reset steps you suggested first: 1. Battery disconnect for 30 minutes 2. MMI hard reset 3. Clear fault codes Makes sense to start with software troubleshooting since the audio quality declined right after the update, unlike your case which showed clear hardware failure signs. The sound system being standard rather than premium also gives me hope this could be resolved without major component replacement. Will report back after trying these steps. Really appreciate the time you took to explain the differences between our situations and potential solutions.