Honda Odyssey Radio Reset Code: The Definitive Guide

If you’re experiencing issues with your Honda Odyssey’s radio, then you may need to reset it. Sometimes turning the car off and on again will do the trick. However, if it doesn’t, you’re going to need the Honda Odyssey radio reset code.

• What Is A Radio Reset Code?
• Where To Find The Radio Reset Code?
• 1994 – 2010 Odyssey
• 2011 – 2017 Odyssey
• 2018 – Present Model Years
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Final Conclusion

Honda Radio Code

The radio reset code is exactly what it sounds like: a code to reset the radio system. Okay, that’s probably not very helpful. The reset code may be necessary for your car after you replace the battery or if the battery runs completely flat.

This is because many electronics in your car – including the radio – resets when they don’t receive electrical current. When you replace or disconnect the battery, or if the battery goes flat, it will lose current and have to reset. In other words, the radio needs a constant flow of electricity to maintain its normal operation.

When it loses electricity, it will default to a factory setting where you need to input a code. Otherwise, the radio won’t work and you’ll have to drive in complete silence. Nothing but the sound of the engine, tire, and wind noise. Imagine your morning commutes without music? I can’t.

Also note that after resetting the radio, you will lose your radio presets and other audio settings. So, you’ll have to save your favorite radio stations once again, as well as tune the audio settings to your preference once again.

Best to do this when you’re not in a hurry to drive anywhere, I personally spend at least 30 minutes tuning my radio in any new car. While this isn’t the case for every car, this is certainly the case for the Honda Odyssey and other Honda models.

Do I Have To Do This Every Time I Replace The Battery?

Chances are yes. The car loses its electricity source when you disconnect the battery. Once the radio’s electricity supply is cut off, it will revert to a factory setting requiring you to input the reset code.

You may be able to prevent this by turning on the engine before you swap out the battery. When the engine and alternator are on, it will still supply electricity to the radio. Hence preventing it from reverting to its factory setting.

Yes, it’s possible to let the engine run and swap the battery. The car will run on residual electricity until the alternator can no longer support the ignition system. It will usually run for about five minutes before the engine dies.

However, we don’t recommend doing this. Connecting the new battery while the engine is running can be dangerous. It’s possible, but you’ll need to be extra careful.

My Battery Is Fine, Why Does My Radio Need Resetting?

This means there’s an electrical problem with your car. The easiest thing to check first is the battery terminals. Corrosion on the terminals or connections can disrupt the electric current to your radio. You can simply check this by locating your battery and physically inspecting it.

Another possible cause is a faulty alternator. This is the device that charges your battery and powers all the electronic accessories in your car while the engine is running. It won’t supply enough electricity when it’s faulty, and the radio may shut off momentarily as a result. Leading it to revert to the factory setting afterward.

However, checking the alternator is slightly more complicated. There are telltale signs, but we don’t have time to discuss them here. Instead, you can learn more about how to do it here.

Another possibility is a loose cable harness for the radio. This one is also more difficult to check since you’ll need to remove the radio. Additionally, if you’ve made electrical modifications, it may be drawing too much power. Resulting in not enough current for the radio.

Why Does Honda Radio Need A Reset Code?

It’s there to discourage radio theft. While not a big issue today, this was common even up until the late 2000s. Believe me, I remember the radio in my dad’s car got stolen a couple of times when I was a kid.

These radio units can fetch up to $150, so you can see why morally-compromised individuals would go after them. Break in, steal the radio, sell it on eBay, and voila, an easy $150.

The radio reset code is unique to the car and unit. So, even if the theft can steal your unit, it will essentially be pointless since they don’t have the code. And to find the code, you’ll often need the VIN. Thus discouraging them from stealing the unit in the first place. And yes, some modern Honda radios still have a reset code.

How To Find Code For Honda Radio

We recommend checking your service record first to see if there’s a pre-delivery inspection form. The radio reset code is often written down. Sometimes, you may also find the reset code on the side of the glovebox which you can see by opening it.

In newer models, usually from 2011 onwards, the dealer will give you a card with the reset code written down on it. Again, check your manual and see if it’s there. The reset code is a 5-digit numeric code.

If you can’t find the reset code, then you’re going to need the radio unit’s serial number to obtain the reset code. In any case, here’s a complete guide and you can skip to the model year of your Odyssey to find the appropriate steps:

Honda Odyssey Radio Reset Code For 1994 – 2010

Since you can’t find the code in the car or the service record, you’ll need to obtain the radio’s serial number first, which is an 8-digit numeric code. If you have a 2001 model or newer, the serial number should be on a sticker on the side of the glove box which you can see by opening it.

If you can’t find the serial number either, then you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Retrieving Serial Number And Reset Code Without Navigation

The steps differ depending on whether you have a standard radio unit or one with a navigation system. Except for the 2004 model year or older.

This method to find the serial number will work for all 1994 – 2004 models, and the 2005 – 2010 models without a navigation system:

1. Insert your key and turn the ignition switch to ‘ON’ to turn the accessories on. Don’t turn the engine on.
2. Wait for the radio unit to display COdE. If you don’t see the message, turn off the car then pull the fuse and try again.
3. Once you see the ‘COdE’ message, turn off the radio unit.
4. Simultaneously and hold the 1 and 6 radio preset buttons, and turn on the radio unit.
5. The radio unit will toggle between two codes. The first code will start with a U with the first 4 digits of the serial number (U1100 for example) and then the second code starts with an L followed by another 4-digit number (L0022 for example).
6. Write down these codes, but ignore the letters. Following the example above, then your radio code is 11000022.

Once you find the serial number, you’ll need to find your VIN. It’s a 17-digit alphanumeric code and you can find it in your registration or the driver’s door or door sills.

Afterward, you can find the code on this website. Input all the necessary information, and it will return the reset code for your car.

2. How To Input Radio Reset Code Without Navigation

Now that you’ve found the code, here’s how to input the code if your radio unit doesn’t have a navigation system. Again, this will work for all 1998 – 2004 models, and the 2005 – 2010 models without a navigation system:

1. Insert your key and turn the ignition switch to ‘ON’ to turn the accessories on. Don’t turn the engine on.
2. Wait for the radio unit to display COdE. If you don’t see the message, turn off the car then pull the fuse and try again.
3. Once you see the ‘COdE’ message, input the code by using the radio preset buttons.
4. For example, if your code is ‘24356’ then type that in using the radio preset buttons.
5. Once the code is in, you should hear a long beep from the radio unit. This means the reset code is successful, and your radio works once again!

Watch the video above if you need a visual guide on how to retrieve and input the code. The video above shows a Honda Pilot rather than an Odyssey, but the two share the same system and will work.

3. For Honda Odyssey With Navigation (2005 – 2010)

Note that if your Odyssey is from 2004 or older with a navigation system, then the steps are the same as above. Meanwhile, if your Odyssey has a navigation system and is a 2005 – 2010 model year, here’s what you need to do:

1. Insert your key and turn the ignition switch to ‘ON’ to turn the accessories on. Don’t turn the engine on.
2. Simultaneously press and hold the ‘Cancel’, ‘Guide’, and ‘Menu’ buttons. The system will then display the diagnosis screen.
3. Press ‘Unit Check’, then ‘Navi ECU’, and you’ll find the serial number on that screen.

Much like the older generation, you can find the code by visiting Honda’s Radio-Navicode website and filling in the necessary information. It will then return your Honda Odyssey radio reset code.

Once you have the reset code, turn your ignition key to the ‘ON’ position. The display will show the enter code screen, then simply enter your code. Press ‘Done’ once you enter the code, and the radio and navigation system will work again.

Honda Odyssey Radio Reset Code For 2011 – 2017

This is where it gets easier depending on your trim level. This generation was offered in several trim levels, with a total of three different radio units on offer. The base model LX has a bog-standard system. While the trims above either have a radio unit without a navigation system or a unit with a navigation system.

The LX trim is the hardest one to reset. But the other trims are thankfully much easier – as long as the car recognizes the radio unit. Whether you have the system with or without navigation, here’s how to do it:

1. Turn your key to the ‘ON’ position.
2. When the display screen prompts the code, simply press and hold the volume button for at least two seconds. We’ve seen instances where you have to hold it for up to 45 seconds.
3. This establishes a connection between the car’s ECU and radio unit. If the ECU recognizes the unit (i.e. it’s the original radio unit of the car) then the radio will reset on its own.

Easy, right? Remember to put the key in the ‘ON’ position. If you put it into ‘ACC’, then it may force you to enter a code instead. If for whatever reason this method doesn’t work, try entering the code.

Open the glovebox, and locate a sticker with the 5-digit reset code and 8-digit serial number. As mentioned, the dealer will also give a card with the radio reset code on it. Check your owner’s manual and see if it’s still there. In any case, after finding the code, simply follow the instructions on the screen to input the reset code, and the radio should now work.

1. I Can’t Find The Reset Code Or The Serial Number, What Do I Do?

If you can’t find the reset code or the serial number, then we can’t help you. The problem is that there’s no information on how to retrieve the serial number via the radio like the older generations.

Without the serial number, you can’t search for the reset code on the Honda Radio-Navicode website. If this is the case, then you have no other choice but to go to the dealer.

2. Honda Odyssey Radio Reset Code For LX Trim

The reset procedure for the LX trim is different because it has a basic radio system that’s similar to previous generations. So, while it’s a bit more complicated, it’s no more difficult than previous generations. Here’s how to retrieve the code if you don’t have it, if you already have the code, then skip to the input steps:

1. Insert your key and turn the ignition switch to ‘ON’ to turn the accessories on. Don’t turn the engine on.
2. Wait for the radio unit to display COdE.
3. Once you see the ‘COdE’ message, turn off the radio unit.
4. Simultaneously and hold the 1 and 6 radio preset buttons, and turn on the radio unit.
5. Write down the serial number. Note that it may toggle between two displays with letters. The first half is the numbers that follow ‘U’, while the second half of the serial number follows ‘L’. Take only the numbers and ignore the letters.

Afterward, find your VIN and go to Honda’s Radio-Navicode website, and fill in the necessary information. It’ll return the result for your reset code, and you can proceed to input it into your car:

1. Insert your key and turn the ignition switch to ‘ON’.
2. Wait for the radio unit to display COdE.
3. Once you see the ‘COdE’ message, input the code by using the radio preset buttons.
4. Once the code is in, you should hear a long beep from the radio unit followed by the radio working again.

Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a guide video for the LX Odyssey. However, the Honda Pilot in the video above has the same radio unit as the LX Honda Odyssey, so it can still give you an idea of how to do it.

Honda Odyssey Radio Reset Code For 2018 – Present

If you have a 2018 Honda Odyssey or newer, it’s much easier. Since they all share the same system across the line, there’s no need to worry about what trim level you have. Simply follow these steps:

1. Turn the ignition system on.
2. Press and hold the radio power button for at least two seconds. That’s the button on the left side.
3. The unit will beep and the radio and infotainment system will be back on.

With this generation, Honda decided that it’s just easier to have the car’s system verify if it has the correct radio unit. So you, as the owner, don’t need to fiddle around with serial numbers and radio reset codes.

Honda Odyssey Radio Reset Code: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Got any more questions about your Odyssey’s radio? The answer you’re looking for might be down here:

I Held The Volume Button And It Won’t Reset, What’s Happening?

If you have a 2011 model year or later and this method doesn’t work, this could mean a couple of things. First, it may be a slight software bug that’s preventing your car’s ECU from recognizing the radio unit. In this case, entering the radio code may still work.

The second possibility is that your car doesn’t have the original radio unit. If you bought the car secondhand, the previous owner possibly changed the radio unit for some reason. In this case, it’s unlikely that entering the code will work since it’s not the car’s original unit.

In this case, you have no option but to take your car to the dealer. We’re not sure if they will charge you just to reset the radio, but expect them to charge for labor. Dealer labor rates are anywhere between $70 – $130 an hour.

The Reset Code Isn’t Working, What’s Wrong?

This is likely the same scenario as above; the radio isn’t the car’s original unit. Whether it’s the car’s original unit or not, at this point you have no choice but to take the car to the dealer.

Don’t worry though, as long as the car still has the original unit, this is unlikely to happen.

My Radio Won’t Turn On, What Do I Do?

There are several possibilities. The first is that you may have a completely flat battery. If the battery is completely flat, then it can’t power even the most basic accessories. Turn your ignition key to the ‘ON’ position and see if other instruments and the headlights work. If they don’t work, you’ll need to either charge or replace the battery first.

If other accessories in the car still work, then check the radio fuse. You’ll need to consult your owner’s manual to find the fuse, but once you do, take the fuse out and see if it’s burnt. If the fuse is burnt or damaged, replace it with a new one. They usually cost no more than $10.

If the fuse is fine, then either the radio wiring harness is loose, or the radio unit is downright broken. If the harness is loose or disconnected, it’ll probably cost you an hour’s worth of labor. And if the radio unit is broken, well, you’ll have to replace it.

How Much Does A Radio Unit Replacement Cost?

The total cost depends on what model year you have and what type of radio unit you have in your car. We can’t say how much as it’s difficult to get a reference, but we found an example of the 2005 – 2010 unit without navigation and it costs around $129.

Needless to say, the newer ones with a navigation system will be more expensive. You can expect the price to be between $100 – $450. Of course, that’s not including the labor cost, which will be another $80 – $260 depending on the model year.

Can I Prevent This Radio Reset Code Debacle?

You can by making sure that your car’s battery never goes completely flat, and then swapping your battery when the engine is running. However, as we mentioned, swapping the battery while the engine is running is not common practice and is very risky, so we don’t recommend it.

Realistically, you can’t avoid it. This whole radio reset code thing is unavoidable every time you swap the battery in your Honda. It’s kind of like taxes really. Our advice is to write down your radio reset code, so you don’t have to worry about finding it again in the future.

Facts about Finding Your Honda Odyssey Radio Code

1. A radio code is needed to reset your Honda Odyssey’s sound system after a battery replacement.
2. The code acts as a built-in security measure to prevent stereo theft.
3. The radio code can be found on a sticker inside the glove compartment or in the owner’s manual.
4. The radio code is only five digits long, and anything with more numbers is likely a code for something else.
5. If the power button trick doesn’t work, the radio code is needed to use the stereo system.
6. The radio code can be found using an online lookup or by calling 1-800-999-1009.
7. If you purchased a used Honda and don’t have the sticker or owner’s manual, you can look up the radio code using the vehicle identification number (VIN) and radio serial number.
8. The VIN is a unique 17-digit code printed on your registration, and insurance card, and on the lower left-hand side of your windshield.
9. The radio serial number can be found by pressing and holding down radio preset numbers one and six simultaneously while turning the key to the ON position for Honda Odysseys year 2002 and newer, or physically printed on the body of the radio unit for Honda Odysseys year 2001 or older.
10. If all else fails, a local Honda dealer can provide the necessary information to reset the radio code.

Honda Odyssey Radio Reset Code: In Conclusion…

So, to summarize, the radio reset code is there as a radio theft prevention measure. When the radio unit in a Honda Odyssey – or almost any Honda vehicle – doesn’t get any electrical current, it will assume that it’s been taken out of the vehicle and reverts to the “enter code” state.

This can happen when your battery goes completely flat or when you disconnect it. In any case, once this happens you’ll need to enter the radio reset code to get it working again.

Thankfully, more modern units will only require you to press and hold the volume button. If the ECU recognizes the unit, then it’ll work again. Hopefully, this has been a helpful guide for you!