My RT6 screen is black or frozen: signs of failure and when to send it for repair
Is the screen of your RT6 navigation system (eMyWay / WIP Nav+) in your Peugeot or Citroën staying black, or hopelessly stuck on the startup logo? It’s a frustrating failure that deprives you of many functions.
Before jumping to conclusions, it’s important to determine whether the problem truly comes from the RT6 unit or from another part of the vehicle. Many of our clients and garage partners ask us: “How can I be sure the RT6 is the problem before sending it in for repair?”
This article helps you identify the characteristic symptoms of an internal failure in the RT6.
The RT6 system (eMyWay / WIP Nav+): A vital multimedia core
The RT6 is more than just a GPS—it’s a multimedia control unit. Its failure affects navigation, radio, Bluetooth, and sometimes even certain vehicle settings. When this central screen stops working, a vital part of the human-machine interface is lost, making the driving experience less enjoyable and less functional.
Key symptoms pointing to a likely internal RT6 failure
Pinpointing the exact cause of an electronic failure can be complex, but some symptoms are highly indicative of an internal RT6 malfunction.
Completely black screen, but other features still respond (sometimes)
The screen stays completely black when the ignition is turned on.
If you can still hear the radio or the steering wheel controls react (even without a display), this strongly suggests a display or startup issue with the RT6, not a general power supply problem. This scenario is a strong indicator that the RT6 is receiving power but cannot display an image.
Stuck on the manufacturer logo (Peugeot or Citroën)
The RT6 powers on, displays the brand logo, but never goes further, even after multiple restarts of the vehicle.
This behavior typically points to an internal firmware boot issue or a problem accessing data from the RT6’s internal SD card. The RT6 is receiving power but cannot properly launch its operating system.
RT6 system rebooting in a loop (bootloop)
The logo appears, then the screen goes black, then the logo appears again, repeating in a loop.
This is another classic sign of software corruption (damaged firmware) or a hardware issue (e.g., motherboard component or storage device) preventing the system from fully loading and stabilizing.
Progressive malfunctions before total failure
Before the screen turned black or froze completely, you may have noticed extreme system slowness, the GPS losing its position or taking a long time to calculate routes, the radio cutting in and out, or incorrect date and time not syncing.
These warning signs suggest internal degradation of the RT6, often linked to its storage medium (an internal SD card reaching the end of its life or developing faulty sectors).
Simple external checks before considering disassembly or shipment
Before concluding an internal RT6 failure and sending it in for repair, a few simple checks on the vehicle can be performed. These checks should never involve opening the RT6 unit.
Check the health of the vehicle battery
Have the voltage and charge level of your vehicle’s battery checked. A weak or dying battery can cause erratic electronic malfunctions across many embedded modules, including the RT6.
An RT6 may start poorly, show strange behavior, or fail to power on at all if the vehicle’s power supply is unstable or insufficient.
Check the fuse for the navigation/radio system
Refer to your vehicle’s owner manual to locate the fuses related to the RT6 system (often labeled as “navigation,” “radio,” or “multimedia”).
Check their condition visually (the filament should be intact) or, if equipped and qualified, test them with a multimeter.
A single blown fuse can cause a totally black screen. This is an external cause unrelated to the RT6 itself. If the fuse is blown, replace it with another of the same amperage. If the new fuse blows immediately after installation, it indicates a short circuit that may be located in the RT6 unit or in the vehicle’s wiring. In that case, further investigation by a professional is required.
Attempt a reset by disconnecting the vehicle battery (with strict precautions)
This action must be performed with great caution and full knowledge of your vehicle’s specific procedures to avoid causing other electronic issues or losing system settings. If you are a private individual and unfamiliar with this process, it is strongly recommended to leave it to your garage professional. The idea is to cut off the vehicle’s power supply completely for about ten minutes (following your manufacturer’s safety and procedure guidelines, such as waiting for all ECUs to enter standby mode), then reconnect.
This method can sometimes reset electronic modules that are “frozen” due to software issues. However, it does not “repair” a hardware failure or deeply corrupted RT6 firmware.
Never disconnect the RT6 connectors unless you are a qualified automotive professional, and especially, never open the unit’s housing.
When to strongly suspect an internal RT6 failure requiring specialist repair
If, after checking the fuses and battery, and potentially attempting a proper battery reset, the described symptoms (persistent black screen with sound, stuck on logo, bootloop) continue, there is a strong chance the RT6 unit itself is faulty.
In that case, attempting further actions on the vehicle is likely pointless and could even lead to additional costs. The next logical step is to have the RT6 unit repaired by an automotive electronics specialist.
Do not open the RT6 housing. At Reparlab by Faurecia Clarion, to ensure the quality of our repairs, traceability of interventions, and for safety reasons, we cannot accept devices that have already been opened or tampered with. The housing and any seals must remain intact.
Our repair process: expertise after receiving your RT6
At Reparlab, we are dedicated to providing cutting-edge electronics repair solutions exclusively to automotive professionals across Europe. If you are a garage and you’ve identified a probable RT6 failure on a client’s vehicle, here’s how our partnership works to provide you with efficient, high-quality service from our expert center in Custines, near Nancy (France).
1. Preliminary diagnosis in your workshop:
As a professional, you’ve already performed initial checks on the vehicle (power supply, fuses, diagnostic tools to isolate the issue to the RT6). Once you strongly suspect an internal RT6 failure, you are ready to benefit from our expertise.
2. Service request via your professional portal:
The process is simplified for our partners. Log in to your secure professional account on our website. By initiating your service request for RT6 repair and selecting the type of failure or model, the flat-rate repair cost is immediately displayed. You will know the cost of the service in advance, with no surprises.
This system allows for clear budget management and transparent tracking of your requests.
3. Secure shipping of the unit to our repair center:
Once your request is registered, you’ll receive instructions for shipping the RT6 unit (removed from the vehicle) to our main repair center in Custines, France. We recommend careful packaging to protect the part during transport.
4. Failure confirmation and expert repair:
Upon receipt, the RT6 is handled by our highly qualified technicians. We confirm that the failure corresponds to the selected flat-rate service. Using our specialized test benches, developed in-house by our R&D team, and our state-of-the-art electronics repair equipment, we proceed with the repair.
We take pride in developing our own programs and electronic solutions in-house, giving us unique control over the process, including reprogramming or reinstalling specific firmwares.
5. Final testing and return of the repaired unit:
Each repaired RT6 undergoes full testing on our benches to ensure proper functionality before being shipped back to you. You receive a part that is ready to be reinstalled in your customer’s vehicle, with the assurance of a reliable repair at a controlled cost.
By choosing Reparlab, you benefit from a quality repair with clear flat-rate pricing, the expertise of a specialized center with in-house R&D capabilities, and recognition from the biggest names in the automotive industry.