WTF...anyone else use the USB Socket to Play MP3 Music?

Kemo Savy · 02-23-2021, 09:32 AM

I keep a small usb drive in my usb port to play MP3's through the infotainment. 60% of the time it won't recognize the device unless I totally pull it out and put it back in. The other 40% times it works fine. Its just hit or miss as to whether it works. For instance I can get in my car try to play it and it won't see it. Then I stop get gas, turn on the car retry it and it works. In any case it works anytime I pull it out the port and put back in. Anyone else have this issue?

DorsoDuroJohn · 02-23-2021, 09:35 AM

Mine works fine every time. 2021 LT1.

ctrlz · 02-23-2021, 09:46 AM

This sporadic behavior has been reported several times over in the audio sub-forum.
The best solution is to try different brands of USB, as the controller chips in the drives vary.
I tried a few and ended up sticking with Samsung USB Bar. I see they now have a Bar plus, which is not what I have.

Kemo Savy · 02-23-2021, 10:00 AM

I was using a standardard length drive before, cant remember the brand. Had the same issue then went with this compact one. Same issue.
https://www.staples.com/sandisk-sdcz...YaAqmTEALw_wcB

oldguy0130 · 02-23-2021, 10:24 AM

On a related note, slightly off topic, if anyone has a USB thumb drive with music on it and the volume is different from one song to the next, I have found a fix. It is a shareware called MP3GAIN download. I have been using it for years. Just take the defaults and run it against your files. Make a backup first of course.

mrgoodwrench · 02-23-2021, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldguy0130

On a related note, slightly off topic, if anyone has a USB thumb drive with music on it and the volume is different from one song to the next, I have found a fix. It is a shareware called MP3GAIN download. I have been using it for years. Just take the defaults and run it against your files. Make a backup first of course.

Thanks for the info regarding standard volumes...much appreciated...

ctrlz · 02-23-2021, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kemo Savy

I was using a standardard length drive before, cant remember the brand. Had the same issue then went with this compact one.

Just looking through the sub-forum, there is no hard and fast rule. SanDisk ultra's seem to work, but not other SanDisk's. PNY works, but not sure which ones.
I had problems with SanDisk, Lexar, and a no-name. Settled on the Samsung Bar.

FarmerFran · 02-23-2021, 12:17 PM

I use this...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Format to FAT32, default size then put your songs back on. I have never had a problem with this dive in multiple cars including my current 2020 SS and multiple MFGs (Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Chevy, Ford)

GroundhogSS · 02-23-2021, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

I use this...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Format to FAT32, default size then put your songs back on. I have never had a problem with this dive in multiple cars including my current 2020 SS and multiple MFGs (Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Chevy, Ford)

Does exFAT work? My win 10 system doesn't have FAT32 as an option. I had used NTFS and had lots of problems. Good to know that FAT might work.

FarmerFran · 02-23-2021, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundhogSS

Does exFAT work? My win 10 system doesn't have FAT32 as an option. I had used NTFS and had lots of problems. Good to know that FAT might work.

No clue, when I have ever formatted a drive for car use on my Win10 machines it always gives me the option to do NT/FAT or EX.

I always use FAT32 and 16K for the format

Weird how it does not have all 3 for you.

Plug in drive
This PC
"USB DRIVE"
Right Click
Format
Drop down for File system and Allocation Size has returns...

NTFS/FAT32 (DEFAULT)/exFAT
and
4,8,16,32,64 for size.

GroundhogSS · 02-23-2021, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

No clue, when I have ever formatted a drive for car use on my Win10 machines it always gives me the option to do NT/FAT or EX.

I always use FAT32 and 16K for the format

Weird how it does not have all 3 for you.

Plug in drive
This PC
"USB DRIVE"
Right Click
Format
Drop down for File system and Allocation Size has returns...

NTFS/FAT32 (DEFAULT)/exFAT
and
4,8,16,32,64 for size.

Nope, not there. May be different because it's 64 GB. Win 10 Pro.

Brudda*Termite · 02-23-2021, 10:19 PM

I always used the low profile Sandisk drives with the little leash dingus on it, and those work great. Bought some non Sandisk drives recently and they always give me problems with not being seen, starting over when I start the car, etc. Sticking with the Sandisk with the leash dingus version...

FarmerFran · 02-23-2021, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GroundhogSS

Nope, not there. May be different because it's 64 GB. Win 10 Pro.

Ok, yes exFAT replaced FAT32. So in theory ex should work, but choose FAT32 file sizes.

Is 16K and option? if yes that would be my suggestion.

GroundhogSS · 02-23-2021, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FarmerFran

Ok, yes exFAT replaced FAT32. So in theory ex should work, but choose FAT32 file sizes.

Is 16K and option? if yes that would be my suggestion.

Yeah, it's there. I'll give it a try.

One thing I did was replace the USB socket with one for a Silverado, as discussed on this forum. That includes an SD card slot. That works pretty good. Don't remember what I formatted that as. I'll have to check.

02-23-2021, 09:32 AM	#1
Kemo Savy Banned Drives: Make it a 6 speed in SS trim. Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: us Posts: 61	WTF...anyone else use the USB Socket to Play MP3 Music? I keep a small usb drive in my usb port to play MP3's through the infotainment. 60% of the time it won't recognize the device unless I totally pull it out and put it back in. The other 40% times it works fine. Its just hit or miss as to whether it works. For instance I can get in my car try to play it and it won't see it. Then I stop get gas, turn on the car retry it and it works. In any case it works anytime I pull it out the port and put back in. Anyone else have this issue?

02-23-2021, 10:19 PM	#12
Brudda*Termite Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Lakeland, Florida Posts: 416	I always used the low profile Sandisk drives with the little leash dingus on it, and those work great. Bought some non Sandisk drives recently and they always give me problems with not being seen, starting over when I start the car, etc. Sticking with the Sandisk with the leash dingus version... __________________ Gary 2017 2SS A8 White, Bolt-Ons, Prayed Upon

02-23-2021, 09:35 AM	#2
DorsoDuroJohn Drives: 2021 Camaro LT1 Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 388	Mine works fine every time. 2021 LT1.

02-23-2021, 09:46 AM	#3
ctrlz Drives: 2017 2SS, 50th pkg, M6, MRC, NPP Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Ocean City, NJ Posts: 3,175	This sporadic behavior has been reported several times over in the audio sub-forum. The best solution is to try different brands of USB, as the controller chips in the drives vary. I tried a few and ended up sticking with Samsung USB Bar. I see they now have a Bar plus, which is not what I have.

02-23-2021, 10:00 AM	#4
Kemo Savy Banned Drives: Make it a 6 speed in SS trim. Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: us Posts: 61	I was using a standardard length drive before, cant remember the brand. Had the same issue then went with this compact one. Same issue. https://www.staples.com/sandisk-sdcz...YaAqmTEALw_wcB

02-23-2021, 10:24 AM	#5
oldguy0130 Drives: 2021 2SS red-line Camaro Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 60	On a related note, slightly off topic, if anyone has a USB thumb drive with music on it and the volume is different from one song to the next, I have found a fix. It is a shareware called MP3GAIN download. I have been using it for years. Just take the defaults and run it against your files. Make a backup first of course.

02-23-2021, 12:17 PM	#8
FarmerFran Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert M6 "Sharky" Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Earth Posts: 4,031	I use this... https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Format to FAT32, default size then put your songs back on. I have never had a problem with this dive in multiple cars including my current 2020 SS and multiple MFGs (Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Chevy, Ford)

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