Possible Fix for Dim IDRIVE Screen Display [SOLVED]

[rastarrph]

Hello X5'ers.

For those of you like myself who have been plagued with the unpredictable failure of the IDrive screen to come to life when you start your ignition, I may have stumbled upon a possible fix.

Usually your Idrive functions are still available, it's just that the screen appears very dark/dim and to see the system options, you may have to switch on the interior light or use a torch etc.

I have had an erroneous screen over the past several months, about 5 times, enough times to have repeated this DIY "temp" fix and have managed to bring my screen back to life each time and takes minutes.

How to do it?:

1. Without turning your ignition on, insert your key into it's ignition slot, so that when inserted it makes contact and you can "see" your Idrive system logging on (BMW logo...etc)

2. Once the system has booted on (with your ignition still off), try to "navigate" to main system information menu, usually accessed from the IDrive home page by pressing down centrally on "I".

3. Then access the "Display" setting. Once in the display setting, reduce the brightness value of the display to 0 (this assumes your brightness value is currently on high because you are experiencing a dim screen).

4. Then eject your ignition key (with engine still off) and after BMW logo disappears immediately re-insert your ignition key to make contact (without starting engine) to switch IDrive system back on.

5. Sometimes, this might work first time, but if not, repeat steps 2-3 by returning to the Display settings menu and toggle the brightness value to the other end and then do the eject and re-insert (kind of like rebooting Idrive, but with the key, usually you should still return to the Display setting)

6. You might have to repeat the cycle 3-4 times but in my experience it works enough times for me to be convinced enough to write this short guide and help anyone else experiencing the frustration, which after trawling the forums, no easy non-expensive solution exists.

I feel it is somehow related to a bug when browsing the Display setting page.

If you give it a go, please provide feedback.