? Faulty USB-C system on New 2024 C-HR

[Geoffers47]

On 12 April, I purchased a new Toyota C-HR, complete with DHL music system ('cos I love having music in the car while I'm driving). With one exception, it is a brilliant car in every respect. The exception relates to being able to play my collection of digital music (all in standard 320 mp3 format) in the car using a USB stick. The new C-HR has the new standard USB-C ports, which would normally require a USB-C stick to be formatted in ExFat mode, but Toyota inexplicably require it to be formatted in the 15+ year old FAT32 format. Go figure!  So I dug out some software that allows me to do this (Windows 11 doesn't), and then copied my mp3s onto a new FAT32 formatted Sandisk USB-C drive. Plugged it in and - nothing. The system didn't even recognise the new drive was there. Over the next week I tried four more different brand USB-C sticks - and still nothing was recognised. So I emailed my dealer, and got no response. Over the next three weeks I then emailed Toyota Customer Services - no response; Toyota technical services - no response; and finally Toyota complaints - no response. In pure frustration, I today 'phoned Toyota Customer Services, and was told a technical services chap would 'phone me around this time next week, which will make it five weeks that I have been trying to get an answer to the simple question - why won't my new C-HR recognise USB-C sticks in its USB-C based multi-media system. Does anyone on here know the answer, 'cos I suspect that Toyota doesn't have a clue?  I need my music!

[philip42h]

Which USB port are you using? You have power outlets under the arm rest etc. but these provide power only - they do not connect to the multi-media system.

[Yorkboy]

What size is your memory stick? FAT32 is limited to 32gbyte. If your memory stick is larger you will have to set it up into a number of 32gbyte partitions. On my 2024 CHR my memory stick is 32gbyte and works ok

[flash22]

what size USB drive?

Format in Windows 11 should be straight forward - File explorer, right-click the drive format, select fat32, untick quick format

if not you can do it from the PowerShell/cmd prompt if you know the drive letter

Command Prompt or PowerShell, run the "format /FS:FAT32 X:" command replacing "X" with your drive letter.

I have known some Sandisk drives to come with hidden partitions, you can change the partitions in Windows disk man

try a standard USB drive with a USB-C to USB A cable

[flash22]

13 minutes ago, Yorkboy said:

What size is your memory stick? FAT32 is limited to 32gbyte. If your memory stick is larger you will have to set it up into a number of 32gbyte partitions. On my 2024 CHR my memory stick is 32gbyte and works ok

fat32 is 4tb partition, no file larger than 4 GB, 32 GB was an index limit on the touch 2 the new touch2 gen3 can do 64 GB otherwise it impacts indexing and bottlenecks the processor

they do not like random files it must be in a tree of no more than 8 folders deep 255 per folder max

 

to the op  - format, the drive create a folder and dump a handfull of files in the folder as a test

 

iirc the usb port is beneath the radio, any other ports are charge only

[Yorkboy]

Alternatively you could copy your music files onto your phone, memory permitting and use Musicolet or similar app to play your music through Android Auto 

[Geoffers47]

Many thanks for the replies.  I am using the USB-C socket at the front of the car, and all the USB-C sticks (all 5 are of different makes - Sandisk, Kingston, Integral etc) are 32Gb formatted FAT32.  The music files I am putting on the stick are exactly the same files that I had on a USB2 stick and used with no problems in my previous model CH-R.  There are no oversize files or folders.   I have already  tried a stick with one folder containing the 12 tracks off one album.  It made no difference. Unfortunately I do not have much memory on my 'phone, so cannot take that route. 

Overall, I think it is significant that the system does not even recognise that the sticks have been plugged in, let alone show the files on the stick. Given what Yorkboy says, I am increasingly suspecting a faulty system, but I would love to know what USB stick he is using? 

[philip42h]

8 minutes ago, Geoffers47 said:

Overall, I think it is significant that the system does not even recognise that the sticks have been plugged in

Which is why I first checked that you were using the correct USB port ... 😉

Have you tried plugging your 'phone into that port and/or tried AA or ACP? Do you have any reason to believe that the port isn't simply 'duff'?

[MC1216]

Deleted

[CassUK]

I haven’t got my car yet (GR Sport) but I’m assuming that you have to select a different media/audio source when using a USB device or does the unit select this automatically when the USB is inserted into the USB C port 🤔

Has anyone tested whether an iPhone with Lightning to USB C adapter will charge up normally via the port or is there also a standard USB port in the car (thinking of charging up a second iPhone here - my wife’s) with my iPhone using the wireless charging facility at the same time) 🤔

Also, how many USB ports are there in the car (dash/under centre armrest/rear passenger area) and which ones are charging ports only - I can’t recall how many there were in the GR Sport demo I test drove 🤔

[philip42h]

5 minutes ago, CassUK said:

I haven’t got my car yet (GR Sport) but I’m assuming that you have to select a different media/audio source when using a USB device or does the unit select this automatically when the USB is inserted into the USB C port 🤔

Also, how many USB ports are there in the car (dash/under centre armrest/rear passenger area) and which ones are charging ports only - I can’t recall how many there were in the GR Sport demo I test drove 🤔

I believe that there are three: one on the dash, one under the centre arm rest and one in the back - but that's just from reading the Owner's Manual.

Only the one on the dash, adjacent to the multi-media system, is connected to the multi-media system. All the others are charging ports only.

When you plug a USB device into that port the system will examine the device to decide what it is capable of - and that may be:

• Media files - in which case it enables the USB media option for you to select
• A smartphone capable of supporting AA or ACP - in which case those options will be enabled
• A map update set - in which case it will offer to update the maps

There may be more or fewer options on the newer cars but that is what mine supports ... 😉

[flash22]

use the usb2 drive with a cable/adapter eg.  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Anker-High-Speed-Transfer-Notebook/dp/B08HZ6PS61

As above have you connected your phone via the usb

[Yorkboy]

Extract from New CHR multimedia manual. Its starting to look like it's the cars USB system is faulty

[Cristian CH]

I remember having read in the manual that the usbs are for charging only and not for data transfer. I might be wrong.

Connecting an iPhone with cable does nothing in my car.

[philip42h]

48 minutes ago, Cristian CH said:

I remember having read in the manual that the usbs are for charging only and not for data transfer. I might be wrong.

Connecting an iphone with cable does nothing in my car.

Well, maybe not 'wrong' as such, but not completely correct. The one USB socket on the dash adjacent to the multi-media system should be connected to the multi-media system.

All the others, however many there are, are for charging only. That is what is stated in your Owner's Manual and that is what is normal in our cars ... 😉

It may also be worth noting that the multi-media system does not support connection via a USB hub. If a hub is connected to the multi-media port only the first connected device is recognised.

So, connecting an iPhone via a valid data cable to the correct multi-media port should do something - even if only enabling ACP via cable ...

[CassUK]

1 hour ago, Cristian CH said:

I remember having read in the manual that the usbs are for charging only and not for data transfer. I might be wrong.

Connecting an iphone with cable does nothing in my car.

The online manual is quite clear about using the USB C port for playing USB media/mysic devices 

[Geoffers47]

Well finally, after several days of exchanges with Toyota technical support, I have the answer to this problem, and I am posting it here for the benefit of all future 2024 C-HR owners who wonder why they can’t play music on a USB-C stick in their new C-HR. The answer is not one you would ever expect, and is completely contrary to the advice given in the C-HR Owners Manuals.

Apparently, the multimedia unit in the C-HR requires a USB-C stick that uses the “USB2.0 HS (480Mbps) communication format” and is “USB4 Gen 2 memory stick backwards compatible with USB 3.0/2.0”.  Translated into English this apparently means that the only USB-C stick that is compatible with the new C-HR is an ultra-rare USB4 Gen 2 stick. 

On the advice of Toyota tech support, I immediately purchased a 64 Gb Samsung Type C Flash Drive (300 Mbps) (Model MUF 64DA/APC, pic attached) - £12 from Amazon – and it works perfectly despite the fact that it doesn't claim to be a USB4 stick!  Interestingly, despite the fact that it is a 64Gb drive, I was surprised to see that it came ready formatted in FAT32 and not EX-FAT.  I can’t say I even begin to understand any of this, but it works, and I now have my digital music collection back in my car.

Full marks to Toyota tech support for all of this, but black marks to Toyota for not foreseeing the problems this change would cause, and for not providing correct advice in the user manuals.

[Corolly Poly]

If it is formatted FAT32 is it partitioned into two drives then? I understand FAT32 max is 32Gb.

[philip42h]

4 minutes ago, Corolly Poly said:

If it is formatted FAT32 is it partitioned into two drives then? I understand FAT32 max is 32Gb.

The maximum partition size for FAT32 is 2TB ... 😉

I'm not too sure where the 32GB limit 'misinformation' came from but it appears widespread on the Interweb.

[Corolly Poly]

Yes but in practice it is difficult to use a FAT32 drive that is larger. Windows doesn't like it and it is difficult to format anything larger using windows.

Manufacturers of SD devices are also under the same impression:

What is the difference between FAT32 and exFAT? Which format should I format my memory card to? - Transcend Information, Inc. (transcend-info.com)

I would be delighted if my head unit could see larger FAT32 partitions as I need 128GB for all of my music.

[philip42h]

15 minutes ago, Corolly Poly said:

Yes but in practice it is difficult to use a FAT32 drive that is larger. Windows doesn't like it and it is difficult to format anything larger using windows.

Manufacturers of SD devices are also under the same impression:

What is the difference between FAT32 and exFAT? Which format should I format my memory card to? - Transcend Information, Inc. (transcend-info.com)

I would be delighted if my head unit could see larger FAT32 partitions as I need 128GB for all of my music.

The first part is true - Windows is not much help and we'd need third-party software to format a FAT32 drive greater than 32GB - but that's perfectly doable.

I've just now taken a new 128GB USB drive out of its packet - it's FAT32 formatted as a single partition. So, you could put all your music on that. As I understand, USB drives tend to be formatted FAT32 by default.

But the real limitation is, as you say, that the multi-media system appears to be limited to a maximum of 32GB. From the latest C-HR Infotainment System Manual:

I assume that your Corolla uses the same system but haven't checked.

[philip42h]

55 minutes ago, Geoffers47 said:

Apparently, the multimedia unit in the C-HR requires a USB-C stick that uses the “USB2.0 HS (480Mbps) communication format” and is “USB4 Gen 2 memory stick backwards compatible with USB 3.0/2.0”.  Translated into English this apparently means that the only USB-C stick that is compatible with the new C-HR is an ultra-rare USB4 Gen 2 stick.

I'm pleased that you've found a solution. 🙂

I believe the first part - that the USB communication format must be USB2.0 HS (480MBPS) since that is exactly what the Infotainment System Manual states.

I don't understand why standard USB-C memory sticks are not backwards compatible with USB 2.0, but as an alternative solution CH-R owners should be able to use a standard USB old-school USB drive with a USB to USB-C adapter. I don't expect you to bother trying this now, but another new C-HR owner might like to report back on whether or not this alternative is viable ...

[flash22]

I remember this issue when usb3 was new not all devices worked properly with USB 2 and USB3, I know USB-C has its quirks

 

Original fat32 was limited in Windows to 32gb for ease of use, it was just an arbitrary number imagined by an engineer (Plummer)

Model MUF 64DA/APC is USB 3.2 Gen 1

what are the model numbers of the other drives you have?

possibly it's a formatting issue, may be a 3rd party tool will do the trick or formatting under linux

[Geoffers47]

To answer a couple of questions:

1. Yes, there is a tiny portable (ie doesn't have to be installed) freeware utility called USB Format Fat32 which will allow you to very easily format any drive in FAT32.  Just Google it.
2. The new drive  I am now using has a single 64Gb FAT32 partition, and there are zero problems in using it within Windows 11 or in the C-HR.  I don't doubt that the 128Gb version of the same drive would work equally well.
3. I too don't understand why standard USB-C sticks are not backwards compatible, but is most def the case as I tried multiple good makes and none of them worked (the system wouldn't even recognise they were plugged in).
4. I did try using, with a USB-C adapter, the old FAT32 formatted USB2 memory stick (a 64Gb Sandisk Dial) that I had used with no probs in my previous CH-R, but it stuck out so far from under the media bay that there was a very real danger of either it and/or the media system being damaged and I really wasn't happy with that.  I then tried using other much smaller USB2 sticks with the same adapter, and none of them would work. 

Have to say that absolutely none of this makes sense to me - I am just happy that I finally have a solution that does work.

[Corolly Poly]

If a 64GB stick works when Toyota say 32GB max their spec looks out of date/wrong. Might get a 128GB FAT32 formatted and try it. 

@philip42h can you let me have details of the 128GB stick that works with your head unit? Thanks

I guess if @Geoffers47 64GB works the 128 version might:

Samsung USB Type-C 128GB 400MB/s USB 3.1 Flash Drive (MUF-128DA/APC) | Ebuyer.com