Some Tesla owners have faced a problem when they try to access the upgrades section on their car’s touchscreen.
They see a “service unavailable” message that stops them from buying or subscribing to software features such as Premium Connectivity, Enhanced Autopilot, Full Self-Driving Capability, and Acceleration Boost.
In this article, we will tell you what causes this problem and how to solve it.
How To Fix Tesla Upgrades Service Unavailable Issue?
#1. Checking and improving the internet connection
The user should make sure that the car has a good internet connection, either through Wi-Fi or cellular data.
The user can also try to switch between different networks or locations to see if that helps.
#2. Rebooting the car’s system
The user can try to reboot the car’s system by holding down both scroll buttons on the steering wheel until the touchscreen goes black and then restarts.
This may fix some software or firmware glitches that cause the problem.
#3. Completing or canceling any service requests
The user can check if there are any active or pending service requests on their Tesla app or their car’s touchscreen.
The user can try to complete or cancel any service requests that are not necessary or urgent.
This may unblock the software update check and the upgrade purchase process on the car’s touchscreen.
#4. Check the Tesla app
The owner should open the Tesla app on their smartphone and see if there are any upgrades available for their vehicle.
If there are, they can purchase them from the app using a credit card. The app will also show if there are any refunds available for previous purchases within 48 hours.
#5. Checking and updating the account permissions on the Tesla app
- The user can check if their Tesla app account has the right permission to buy upgrades.
- The user can also try to use a different account that has full access to buy upgrades, such as a primary account or an authorized subaccount.
- The user can also contact Tesla support to update their account permissions if needed.
One user, Petski, shared that he was able to buy Premium Connectivity via the Tesla app after contacting support and finding out that his app account did not have permission to buy upgrades, but his girlfriend’s subaccount did.
He also noted that the upgrades tab in the car still showed “service unavailable”.
Another user, Clim8tas, guessed that update checks and upgrade purchases are blocked while a service call is active so that the technicians are not confused if they are trying to fix things.
He said that his problem solved itself after a mobile service call was made.
However, these solutions may not work for everyone, as some users have reported that they still have the problem even though they have no service requests or account problems.
Why Tesla Upgrades Service Unavailable?
The “service unavailable” message within the upgrades tab in the dash has been a problem for some Model 3 owners since February 2021.
The problem may happen because of different reasons, such as:
#1. Poor internet connection
The car may not be able to connect to the internet or the connection may be too slow or unstable.
This may prevent the car from checking for software updates or upgrades.
#2. Software or firmware glitches
The car’s system software or firmware may have some errors or bugs that affect the functionality of the upgrades section.
This may cause the car to display the wrong message or not respond at all.
#3. Active or pending service requests
The car may have a service request that is active or pending, such as a mobile service call or a scheduled appointment.
This may block the software update check and the upgrade purchase process on the car’s touchscreen.
#4. Account permission issues
The Tesla app account that is linked to the car may not have the right permission to buy upgrades.
This may happen if the account is a subaccount or has some restrictions.
These reasons may interfere with the software update check and the upgrade purchase process on the car’s touchscreen.
The Final Word
Tesla has not officially said anything about this problem or confirmed whether it is a mistake or a planned change.
However, it is possible that Tesla is trying to make its software services better and safer by limiting access to upgrades via the app only.
Tesla owners who want to enjoy the latest software features and improvements should keep an eye on their Tesla app for any available upgrades and make sure they have a good internet connection and a valid payment method on file.
They should also contact Tesla support if they have any questions or worries about their software updates or upgrades.
