The Ford EcoSport has always been a fun-to-drive vehicle, offering a feature-packed experience that many competitors struggle to match. Unfortunately, Ford has exited the Indian market, leaving many Ford owners missing the brand’s unique driving and cabin experience.
Ford EcoSport has been the showstopper for the Ford Motor Company since its launch, mostly because of the performance, driving and cabin experience.
In this post, we’ll fix a common yet frustrating issue with the SYNC Audio System that can impact your in-cabin experience. The SYNC software, designed by Microsoft, has its quirks—just like many other Microsoft products. One of the most annoying problems is the dreaded Error Connecting Bluetooth Device…
From my personal experience, this issue often pops up after extended use of the SYNC system. While the system may still connect to your device—allowing calls and even SMS in some cases—music playback becomes impossible. The moment you try to play a song, the error message appears. Sometimes, the problem escalates further, and SYNC refuses to turn on Bluetooth altogether.
The issue can also be resolved just by doing the factory reset of the SYNC Audio System from “Menu”, but that may not always work and can be fixed only with the Hard Factory Reset, which you can do by simple DIY. We’ll take you step by step through troubleshooting and resolving Bluetooth and SYNC Audio issues in your Ford EcoSport.
How to Fix Bluetooth Connection Issue in Ford EcoSport SYNC Audio?
Knowing why this problem arises is required before heading towards the solution. The SYNC Audio System depends on both software and hardware to work smoothly. Gradually, dust, wear, or even a blown fuse can also interrupt the system, but it is mostly because of software issues.
Common SYNC Bluetooth Issues:
If you’re facing Bluetooth connectivity problems, you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Frequent Disconnections: Bluetooth disconnects randomly, even while in use.
- Failed to Connect: The SYNC system does not detect or pair with devices.
- Unable to Turn On Bluetooth: The Bluetooth option remains disabled, even in settings.
- SYNC Freezing: The system becomes unresponsive or lags when using Bluetooth features.
- No Audio Output: Calls and SMS may work, but music playback fails with an “Error Connecting Bluetooth Device” message.
If you’re facing any of these issues and a factory reset from the Audio System Settings hasn’t worked, the next step is a Hard Reset by removing the appropriate fuse. However, proceed with caution—if you’re unsure about handling car fuses, it’s best to seek help from an authorized Ford technician. But if you’re confident in what you’re doing, follow the steps below to fix the problem.
Before proceeding, make sure to:
✔ Check your Ford owner’s manual to locate the fuse box and specific fuse number.
✔ Use the right tools – a fuse puller (usually in the car’s tool kit) and a flashlight.
✔ Proceed with caution – if unsure, seek help from a Ford service centre.
Step 1: Locate the SYNC Fuse
The fuse that controls Bluetooth and SYNC is typically Fuse No. 14 with a 15-Amp rating (14F-15A), but you should always double-check your model’s fuse box diagram in the manual.
There are two fuse boxes in most Ford EcoSport models:
1. Under the hood (near the battery) – Easier to access.
2. Behind the passenger glove box – This is More common but harder to reach.
For Models with the Fuse Box Behind the Glove Box:
- Empty the glove box.
- Pull both hinges at the bottom to lower the glove box further.
- Carefully remove the glove box to access the fuse panel.
- Use the flashlight to locate the Fuse Box, it may be in an upper corner or hidden behind the wiring.
- Find Fuse No. 14 (15A), which is being used by the SYNC system. You must check your car manual for the fuse number reference.
Step 1.1: Remove & Reinsert the Fuse
If you are unable to access the Fuse Box by pulling down the Glove Box, then we need to completely take out the Glove Box and also a couple of side panels to access the Fuse Box. For this, I would recommend accessing this video, which helped me also figure out the Fuse Box location and reset the SYNC.
Step 2: Remove & Reinsert the Fuse
- Turn off the car and remove the key.
- Open the fuse box cover (use a flashlight if visibility is poor).
- Pull out the SYNC fuse (14F-15A) using a fuse puller or tweezers.
- Wait for 4–5 seconds, then reinsert the fuse into the exact same slot.
- Close the fuse box and put everything back in place.
Note: If the fuse appears burnt or broken, replace it with a new 15A fuse.
Step 3: Test Bluetooth Connection
Now, check if the fix worked before reassembling everything:
- Turn on the car ignition and let the SYNC system boot up.
- Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on your phone.
- Pair your device with the SYNC system again.
- Play music and make test calls to verify if the issue is resolved.
- Repeat the test 4-5 times to ensure stable performance.
Note: Always remember to turn off the SYNC Audio System before turning off the engine.
Reassembling the Glove Box and Panels:
Reattach side panels: Now, if the panels were dismantled, the very first thing should be to assemble them.
Locate the Glove Box: Put it over its mounting point and push it back into the proper position.
Cycle the Glove Box: open and close it a few times to check whether it will work properly attached.
What If the Issue Persists?
If Bluetooth still doesn’t work, other underlying issues might be causing the problem:
- Faulty SYNC Module – May need replacement or reprogramming.
- Outdated SYNC Software – A dealership update might be required.
- Electrical Wiring Issues – A loose or damaged wire could prevent Bluetooth from functioning.
At this stage, it’s best to visit a Ford service center or a Ford authorised mechanic for further troubleshooting.
Final Thoughts:
SYNC Audio System issues are common in Ford EcoSport, but most Bluetooth problems can be resolved with a hard reset using the fuse removal method. If your Ford EcoSport 2015 Bluetooth is not working, follow the steps above for a quick DIY fix.
Still, facing issues? It might be time for a professional diagnosis. Let us know in the comments if this fix worked for you!
FAQs Related to This Topic: The article addresses the following common questions about the Ford SYNC Audio System Problems.
- Ford EcoSport Bluetooth Connected But No Sound or Audio!
- Why is my phone not connecting to SYNC?
- Ford Sync no longer streams my Bluetooth audio!
- Sync Audio Not Working!
- Audio problems Ford Ecosport SYNC Music System!
- What do I do if I have sound issues with my radio or SYNC?
- Problems with Sync on my 2015 Ford Ecosport!
