BMW i4 Infotainment Dead: Screen, Audio & iDrive Not Working

I'm a low-experience EV owner, but I dealt with something very similar on my 2019 BMW iX3, and my cousin owns an i4 too. Had the exact same symptoms, black screen, no sound, dead iDrive. The dealer insisted it was a CAN-BUS issue and charged me 235 Euro, but it turned out to be just a software glitch. After the fix didn't work, they finally did a complete system reset and software update which solved everything. What's your exact model variant and when did this start happening? Also, have you tried disconnecting the battery for about 15 minutes? Sometimes this simple reset works wonders with these electronic gremlins. In any case, I'd recommend getting a second opinion before letting them replace any communication modules. From what I learned, actual bus failures are pretty rare on these models.

Thanks for sharing your experience! I have the 2021 i4 M50 with 156200 KM on the clock. You mentioning the software update caught my attention because my issue started right after my last service two weeks ago. I did try the battery disconnect trick yesterday, left it unplugged for about 20 minutes, but no luck. Still getting that black screen. Maybe I should push for that system reset and software update you mentioned instead of letting them dig into the hardware right away. Did your cousin's i4 ever have similar problems?

Hey there again! Yeah, reading about your timing with the service visit definitely rings some bells. Since you mentioned the issue started after service, I'm even more convinced it's software-related, just like mine was. Actually, funny you asked about my cousin's i4, they had a similar glitch about 6 months ago, but with slightly different symptoms. Their screen would out of nowhere go black during drives, but the audio kept working. Turned out it was also fixed with a software update, though they had to do it twice to get it sorted. In your case, since the battery disconnect didn't work (just like it didn't for me), I'd definitely push for that full system reset and software update. The techs at first were pretty stubborn about checking the hardware, but trust me, insist on trying the software route first. It'll save you money and time. One thing I learned from my experience, make sure they do a complete reset, not just the quick one. There's apparently a difference, and the thorough reset is what finally fixed mine. The whole process took about 2 hours, but it was worth it. Keep me posted on how it goes! These modern EVs are awesome but sometimes their electronics can be a bit temperamental.

Thanks for the detailed follow-up! Your advice about pushing for the software solution first really makes sense. I've just called my dealer and specifically requested a complete system reset and software update, mentioning how the issue started after my last service visit. They initially tried suggesting a full diagnostic check, but I stood my ground about trying the software fix first. Got an appointment for tomorrow morning, and they've agreed to start with the complete reset and update you mentioned. I'm feeling more optimistic now, especially hearing that both you and your cousin had similar issues resolved this way. Really hoping I won't have to go down the expensive hardware replacement route. I'll definitely keep track of how long the reset takes, good to know it should be around 2 hours if they're doing it properly. I was actually getting worried about potential repair costs if it was a hardware issue, so your experience is really helping me avoid what might have been an unnecessary expense. Will let you know how it goes after tomorrow's appointment. Really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, it's definitely saved me some headaches!