Ready to sing along in your Tesla? Let's dive into how you can get lyrics displayed right on your Tesla screen and turn your car into a mobile karaoke lounge (or just a better listening experience)!
Step 1: Confirm Your Tesla's Software and Connectivity
Before we even think about lyrics, let's make sure your Tesla is ready for the show!
Software Version is Key: For the best and most consistent lyric experience, ensure your Tesla's software is up to date. Tesla frequently updates its infotainment system, and newer versions often bring improvements to media playback and integrations. You can check your software version by going to
Controls>Softwareon your Tesla screen. If an update is available, it's generally a good idea to install it.Premium Connectivity Matters: Do you have Tesla's Premium Connectivity? This subscription is crucial for a seamless experience with many streaming services, including those that offer integrated lyrics. While some basic functionalities might work without it, for a truly rich and reliable lyric display, Premium Connectivity is highly recommended. You can check your connectivity status in your Tesla app or on the car's screen under
Software.Strong Internet Connection: Whether you're using your Tesla's built-in LTE (with Premium Connectivity) or a Wi-Fi connection (when parked), a strong and stable internet connection is vital for streaming music and fetching lyric data in real-time. If your signal is weak, lyrics might load slowly or not at all.
Step 2: Choose Your Music Streaming Service
The primary way to get lyrics on your Tesla screen is through integrated music streaming services. Not all services are created equal when it comes to lyric support.
2.1: Spotify - Your Best Bet for Lyrics
Integrated Lyrics: Spotify is often the go-to choice for Tesla owners wanting lyrics. Many songs on Spotify come with integrated, synchronized lyrics powered by Musixmatch.
How to Access Spotify in Tesla:
On your Tesla's touchscreen, tap the "Music" icon (usually a note symbol ).
Select "Spotify" from the list of media sources.
Log in to your Spotify Premium account (a Premium account is necessary for in-car integration and generally for lyric features).
Start playing a song.
2.2: Tidal - Another Strong Contender
High-Fidelity Audio with Lyrics: Tidal is known for its high-fidelity audio quality, and it also offers integrated lyrics for many tracks.
How to Access Tidal in Tesla:
Tap the "Music" icon on your Tesla screen.
Select "Tidal" as your source.
Log in with your Tidal account credentials.
Play a song to see if lyrics are available.
2.3: Other Services and Their Limitations
Apple Music: While Apple Music is available in some Tesla models, its native lyric integration directly on the Tesla screen has been more limited compared to Spotify or Tidal. You might find some basic track information, but synchronized lyrics are less common.
TuneIn/Slacker Radio: These services are primarily for radio and general music streaming, and typically do not support synchronized lyrics on the Tesla screen.
USB Drive Music: If you play music from a USB drive, the Tesla infotainment system does not natively display embedded lyrics from audio files. Lyrics would need to be viewed on a separate device.
Step 3: Displaying and Interacting with Lyrics
Once you've selected your streaming service and started playing a song, here's how to get those lyrics front and center.
3.1: Locating the Lyrics Icon
When a song with supported lyrics is playing, you'll typically see a lyrics icon (often resembling a speech bubble or a small microphone/text symbol) on the media player interface on your Tesla screen. This icon might appear near the album art or song title.
If you don't see the icon, it could mean:
The song you're playing doesn't have lyrics available through that service.
Your internet connection is weak.
There's a temporary glitch – try restarting the media app or even a soft reboot of the infotainment system (holding down both scroll wheels on the steering wheel until the screen goes black, then releasing).
3.2: Tapping to Show Lyrics
Simply tap the lyrics icon! This action will usually expand the lyrics display, often taking up a significant portion of the screen, providing a large, easy-to-read view of the song's words.
The lyrics will typically scroll automatically in sync with the music, highlighting the current line being sung.
3.3: Managing the Lyrics Display
Full Screen vs. Partial: Depending on the software version and how the lyrics are integrated, they might take over a large portion of the screen or appear in a dedicated section.
Dismissing Lyrics: To hide the lyrics and return to the standard media player view, simply tap the lyrics display again, or look for an "X" or "hide" icon.
No Manual Scrolling (Usually): For synchronized lyrics, manual scrolling is often not an option as they are designed to follow the song's progress. If you try to scroll, the display might jump back to the current line.
Step 4: Troubleshooting Common Lyric Issues ️
Sometimes, even with all the right steps, lyrics might not appear. Here are some common troubleshooting tips:
4.1: "Why Aren't My Lyrics Showing?"
Song Availability: Not every song has lyrics available on every streaming service. Even popular tracks might sometimes lack synchronized lyrics. Try a different, well-known song to test.
Internet Connection: As mentioned, a poor or intermittent internet connection is a frequent culprit. Try moving to an area with better cellular signal, or connect to a strong Wi-Fi network if parked.
App Glitch: Sometimes the specific media app (Spotify, Tidal) might have a temporary glitch. Try closing and reopening the app on your Tesla. You can usually do this by swiping down on the app from the top of the screen.
Infotainment Reboot: A soft reboot of the infotainment system (holding down both steering wheel scroll wheels until the screen goes black, then releasing) can often resolve minor software hiccups that might be preventing lyrics from displaying.
Software Update: Ensure your Tesla's software is completely up-to-date. Newer versions often fix bugs and improve media functionality.
4.2: "Lyrics Are Out of Sync!"
Streaming Issues: This can sometimes be related to buffering or streaming issues. A strong internet connection is crucial.
Service-Side Issue: Occasionally, the synchronization issue might be on the side of the music streaming service itself (e.g., a specific track's lyric data might be slightly off). There's not much you can do about this besides trying a different song.
Tesla Reboot: Again, a soft reboot can sometimes help re-synchronize things.
Step 5: Enhancing Your In-Car Karaoke Experience (Optional)
While not directly related to displaying lyrics, these tips can make your lyric-following experience even better!
5.1: Adjusting Sound Settings
Go to
Controls>Soundon your Tesla screen.You can adjust the equalizer (EQ) settings to enhance vocals or overall sound. Experiment to find what sounds best for you!
Consider adjusting the subwoofer and balance/fader for optimal sound distribution.
5.2: Utilize Voice Commands
While you can't directly ask Tesla to show lyrics via voice command, you can use voice commands to control your music playback, allowing you to focus on the lyrics.
Say things like: "Play [song title]," "Next song," "Pause," "Turn up the volume," etc.
5.3: Passenger Engagement
The large Tesla screen is perfect for passengers to follow along! Make sure your co-pilot is ready to sing backup.
Just remember to stay focused on the road if you're the driver! Safety first. ️
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to get lyrics on Tesla screen?
You can get lyrics on your Tesla screen primarily through integrated music streaming services like Spotify and Tidal that offer synchronized lyrics. Play a song from one of these services, and if lyrics are available, tap the lyrics icon on the media player.
How to troubleshoot lyrics not showing on Tesla?
If lyrics aren't showing, first check your internet connection and ensure your Tesla's software is updated. Try playing a different song, close and reopen the streaming app, or perform a soft reboot of the infotainment system by holding down both steering wheel scroll wheels.
How to use Spotify lyrics on Tesla?
To use Spotify lyrics on Tesla, ensure you have a Spotify Premium account and are logged in via your Tesla's Spotify app. Play a song, and if lyrics are available, a lyrics icon will appear on the media player; tap it to display the synchronized lyrics.
How to enable lyrics on Tidal in Tesla?
Enable lyrics on Tidal in Tesla by selecting Tidal as your media source, logging in, and playing a song. Look for the lyrics icon on the media playback screen, and tap it to view the synchronized lyrics.
How to fix out-of-sync lyrics on Tesla?
Out-of-sync lyrics can often be fixed by ensuring a strong internet connection. If the issue persists, try restarting the streaming app or performing a soft reboot of your Tesla's infotainment system. Sometimes, the issue might be with the streaming service's data for that specific song.
How to adjust sound settings for lyrics in Tesla?
While there's no specific "lyrics sound setting," you can adjust overall audio quality for a better listening experience. Go to Controls > Sound on your Tesla screen to access the equalizer and other audio adjustments to enhance vocals or overall sound.
How to check Tesla software version for lyric compatibility?
To check your Tesla's software version, go to Controls > Software on your touchscreen. Newer software versions generally offer better compatibility and features for media playback, including lyric display.
How to know if a song has lyrics on Tesla?
You'll know if a song has lyrics on Tesla if a distinct lyrics icon (often a speech bubble or text symbol) appears on the media player interface when that song is playing through a compatible streaming service like Spotify or Tidal.
How to use voice commands for music when viewing lyrics on Tesla?
You can use voice commands to control music playback (e.g., "Play next song," "Pause," "Volume up") even when lyrics are displayed on your Tesla screen. Just activate the voice command feature as usual.
How to improve internet connectivity for better lyrics loading on Tesla?
To improve internet connectivity for better lyrics loading, ensure you have Tesla Premium Connectivity for consistent cellular data. If parked, connect to a strong Wi-Fi network. Avoid areas with known poor cellular reception.
