Blown fuse or poor power/ground connection at the television module; Damaged or disconnected wiring in the television module's communication bus circuit; Failed television module itself, internally shorted or unresponsive; Corrosion or loose pins at the television module connector; Open or short in the data bus wiring between the television module and the network gateway; Low battery voltage or charging system issue causing modules to drop offline intermittently

DTC codes / U01xx · Lost communication with a control module / U0191

U0191Lost Communication With Television

Q: What does code U0191 mean?

Lost Communication With Television. U0191 is a generic network communication code indicating that a control module on the vehicle's data bus has lost contact with the television module, which is typically part of the rear-seat entertainment system. The computer detected that the expected periodic messages from the television module stopped arriving within the required time window, so it flagged the communication fault.

U0191 is a generic network communication code indicating that a control module on the vehicle's data bus has lost contact with the television module, which is typically part of the rear-seat entertainment system. The computer detected that the expected periodic messages from the television module stopped arriving within the required time window, so it flagged the communication fault.

SystemNetwork

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaLost communication with a control module

Symptoms you may notice

Rear-seat entertainment screen or television may not power on or may show a blank display
The television module may be completely unresponsive to any controls or remote inputs
A warning light or message on the dashboard indicating a communication or system fault
Other infotainment or entertainment features may behave erratically or stop working
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the television is not in use

Common causes, most likely first

Blown fuse or poor power/ground connection at the television module
Damaged or disconnected wiring in the television module's communication bus circuit
Failed television module itself, internally shorted or unresponsive
Corrosion or loose pins at the television module connector
Open or short in the data bus wiring between the television module and the network gateway
Low battery voltage or charging system issue causing modules to drop offline intermittently

How to diagnose and fix it

Verify battery voltage and charging system output to rule out low-voltage communication dropouts
Check the fuse and relay supplying power to the television module, and inspect the ground connection
Inspect the television module connector for corrosion, loose pins, or water intrusion
Use a scan tool to check for communication with the television module and perform a network integrity test
Measure resistance and continuity on the communication bus wires between the television module and the gateway or splice point
If wiring and power are good, substitute a known-good television module or perform a module swap test
Clear the code and verify the repair by confirming the television module communicates and the code does not return

Television module faults that mimic bus failures

A television module that is completely dead due to a blown fuse will set U0191 even though the bus wiring is perfectly intact, so always check power and ground first.
Water intrusion into rear-seat entertainment components is a common cause of communication loss on vehicles with sunroof drains or rear quarter glass leaks.
Some vehicles require the television module to be initialized or configured after replacement, and a new module may set U0191 until that programming is completed.
A single failed module on the bus can sometimes disrupt communication for other modules, so U0191 may appear alongside codes for unrelated systems.
Aftermarket accessories tapped into the entertainment wiring can introduce bus faults that look like a failed television module.

Can I keep driving with U0191?

This code does not affect the vehicle's drivability or safety systems, so you can continue driving normally. Avoid relying on the rear-seat entertainment system until the fault is repaired, and address any electrical issues promptly to prevent battery drain.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.