If you see an error message while using the OBDLink® app, follow the suggestions in this article. 

The most common error messages you might see are:

  • General error message saying the OBDLink app is connected to the OBDLink adapter but can’t connect to the vehicle. 
  • Communication error message saying the adapter has lost connection with your vehicle.

This article contains the following suggestions for troubleshooting error messages:

If you see the error message below in the OBDLink app, try the following:

  1. Click OK to close the error message.
    iOSAndroid
    iOS Error message screen. The OK button is highlighted.Android Error message screen. The OK button is highlighted. 
  2. Unplug your OBDLink adapter and check the connector to be sure the pins are not damaged.
  3. Plug your OBDLink adapter back in and be sure it is installed correctly in the OBD-II port in your vehicle. 
  4. Check that your car engine is running. Some vehicles can connect to an OBDLink adapter if the ignition is on and the engine is off, but we recommend that you turn the engine on.
  5. Close the OBDLink app and reopen it.
  6. Click the Connect button in the OBDLink app.
    iOS Home screen with the Connect button highlighted.Android Home screen with the Connect button highlighted.

If these steps don’t work, check out this article: Troubleshoot Connection Issues


Error on electric or hybrid vehicle

If you see the error message below in the OBDLink app and you have an electric or hybrid vehicle, click OK to close the error message.

iOS Error message screen. The OK button is highlighted.Android Error message screen. The OK button is highlighted.

If you have an electric or hybrid vehicle, the OBDLink adapter will connect to your vehicle, however, the OBDLink app is not designed to read this type of data. 

We recommend that you use a manufacturer-specific app, such as one of the apps listed below:

  • A Better Routeplanner
  • BimmerCode
  • BimmerLink
  • Car Scanner ELM OBD2 
  • Dr. Prius / Dr. Hybrid
  • EVNotify
  • FORScan
  • Hybrid Assistant
  • Scan My Tesla
  • tesLaX

Be sure to check the app website to confirm that your specific vehicle model and your device is supported. 


Error on motorcycle

If you see the error message below in the OBDLink app and your vehicle is a motorcycle, click OK to close the error message.

iOS Error message screen. The OK button is highlighted.Android Error message screen. The OK button is highlighted.

The OBDLink mobile app and OBDwiz software included with our adapters only connects to and reads data from OBD-II compliant cars and light trucks. It was not designed to connect to motorcycles, even if the motorcycles are low-emissions vehicles.

Specific OBDLink adapters will work with select motorcycles when paired with third-party apps. For details, check out the article: Do OBDLink adapters work with motorcycles?


Error using OBDLink CX adapter on vehicle with model year 1996 - 2008

If you see the error message below in the OBDLink app, you are using the OBDLink CX adapter, and your vehicle was manufactured between 1996 and 2008, click OK to close the error message.

iOS Error message screen. The OK button is highlighted.Android Error message screen. The OK button is highlighted.

The OBDLink CX adapter is optimized for BMW vehicles. It will not work on certain FCA, Ford, and GM vehicles built before model year 2008.

If your vehicle was made between 1996 and 2008 by FCA, Ford, or GM, we recommend you use one of our other adapter models:

  • OBDLink MX+ and OBDLink LX wireless adapters work with these vehicles. You can use the OBDLink app on an iOS/Android device.
  • OBDLink EX is a wired adapter that also works with these vehicles. You can use the OBDwiz app on a Windows device.

For complete details, check out the article: Which adapter is right for me?


Communication Error message

In the OBDLink app, you may see the error message below if your device was connected to your vehicle and then you turned off your engine.  

  1. Click Dismiss to close the error message.
    iOS Communication Error message screen. The Dismiss button is highlighted.Android Communication Error message screen. The Dismiss button is highlighted.
  2. Close the OBDLink app and reopen it.
  3. Start your vehicle’s engine.
  4. Click the Connect button in the OBDLink app.
    iOS Home screen with the Connect button highlighted.Android Home screen with the Connect button highlighted.

If these steps don’t work, check out this article: Troubleshoot Connection Issues


Other error messages

If you’re using the OBDLink app and see other error messages that aren’t listed in this article, you may need to do more troubleshooting. For details, check out this article: Create a Debug Log


Learn more

If you’re still having issues, refer to our articles for OBDLink Adapter Troubleshooting.

You can explore other OBDLink features and functionality using our support article knowledge base.

For descriptions of terms used in this article, see the Glossary of Acronyms and Terms.


Need more help?

OBDLink Support Forum 

Submit a Support Ticket 


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