No option to change from dark to light theme

[JKH5199]

Little backstory. I have a 2026 Laramie. A couple weeks after I bought it the radio was locking up and extremely slow. Took it to dealer and they replaced the radio. Took about 6 weeks for it to come in. I got truck back and now there's no option to have screen go from dark mode to light. The option doesn't even exist. Dealer couldn't figure it out and said they checked the others on their lot and they didn't have the option either. SO they're telling me it's normal operation. The original radio had the option. When it was light outside it was a light background. When it was dark it would switch to black. There was a theme display option that is now completely gone. I called UConnect and they were no help. Just told me to take it to another dealer. Anyone else have this issue? Any ideas? @RamCares can you help me? It's a borderline safety issue as I have the panoramic sunroof and when it's bright out it's harder to see the screen and the info on it. Help please.

 

[crash68]

The radio brightness is usually linked to the headlight operation, but the manual dash brightness dimmer can override the dash/radio from going dark.

 

[JKH5199]

The radio brightness is usually linked to the headlight operation, but the manual dash brightness dimmer can override the dash/radio from going dark.

It's not a brightness issue. It stays with a black background at all times. On all other Uconnect 5 radios you have the option of a white or black background. I don't have the option.

 

[turkeybird56]

It is extremely possible that the newest 12” radios not have the option U R looking for and was deleted just saying.

 

[British Bulldog]

I know there is a problem with 12/14” radios for our newer trucks. Foreman at my local dealer told me he has been stopped from ordering warranty radios now as a “flash????” Is meant to be coming out to take care of some issues like yours, maybe?
Mine keeps deselecting motion based park camera and that apparently will be corrected by this supposed “flash”
We will see!

Perhaps you could.ask Ram Cares about that rumour?

 

[Jimmy07]

Little backstory. I have a 2026 Laramie. A couple weeks after I bought it the radio was locking up and extremely slow. Took it to dealer and they replaced the radio. Took about 6 weeks for it to come in. I got truck back and now there's no option to have screen go from dark mode to light. The option doesn't even exist. Dealer couldn't figure it out and said they checked the others on their lot and they didn't have the option either. SO they're telling me it's normal operation. The original radio had the option. When it was light outside it was a light background. When it was dark it would switch to black. There was a theme display option that is now completely gone. I called UConnect and they were no help. Just told me to take it to another dealer. Anyone else have this issue? Any ideas? @RamCares can you help me? It's a borderline safety issue as I have the panoramic sunroof and when it's bright out it's harder to see the screen and the info on it. Help please.

On your radio screen, go to “vehicle” > settings > display. Take a picture of that screen and post it here.

 

[JKH5199]

On your radio screen, go to “vehicle” > settings > display. Take a picture of that screen and post it here.

Here's my screen. No option under theme to change to light or dark.

 

[RamDiver]

Here's my screen. No option under theme to change to light or dark.

What happens when you select the Display Mode as Manual?

Do you have the ability to adjust the Display Brightness settings for Nighttime & Daytime?

.

 

[Jimmy07]

Here's my screen. No option under theme to change to light or dark.

Yep, Theme Mode is missing from right between Units and Touchscreen Beep.
In the list of settings on the left, go down to the bottom to Reset, and do the factory reset. After that, reboot the radio two times in a row by pressing and holding the power button on the left radio knob for 15 seconds.

 

[JKH5199]

What happens when you select the Display Mode as Manual?

Do you have the ability to adjust the Display Brightness settings for Nighttime & Daytime?

.

Yes that option is there but no matter what you choose it’s always a black background.

 

[JKH5199]

Yep, Theme Mode is missing from right between Units and Touchscreen Beep.
In the list of settings on the left, go down to the bottom to Reset, and do the factory reset. After that, reboot the radio two times in a row by pressing and holding the power button on the left radio knob for 15 seconds.

What will this do? I have factory reset it before but not done the subsequent 2 restarts.

 

[Jimmy07]

What will this do? I have factory reset it before but not done the subsequent 2 restarts.

Sometimes a new radio module install will hang up on populating all the radio settings (similar to why some settings are missing for a while after a 15 minute plus battery disconnect).
The factory reset and reboots will force everything to populate immediately.

 

[RamDiver]

Yes that option is there but no matter what you choose it’s always a black background.

I realize that, but I was wondering if you could find a satisfactory solution by tweaking those settings.

I perceive this differently in my truck. I find the light mode difficult to see in bright daylight and too distracting at night.
I don't have a moonroof, and I always leave mine on Dark mode.

I use Dark mode on my PC and phone too.

I understand your interest in obtaining your preferred display mode. I would not be happy without Dark mode for all my screens.

.

 

[Jimmy07]

I realize that, but I was wondering if you could find a satisfactory solution by tweaking those settings.

I perceive this differently in my truck. I find the light mode difficult to see in bright daylight and too distracting at night.
I don't have a moonroof, and I always leave mine on Dark mode.

I use Dark mode on my PC and phone too.

I understand your interest in obtaining your preferred display mode. I would not be happy without Dark mode for all my screens.

.

His issue isn’t what you’re thinking. It’s a 5th gen 2022+ uconnect 5 thing:

 

[RamDiver]

His issue isn’t what you’re thinking. It’s a 5th gen 2022+ uconnect 5 thing:

How do you know what I'm thinking?

I use Dark Mode on everything, I think I grasp the concept.

It does appear to be another Uconnect-related adventure, of which they seem to be endless.

.

 

[lat1504]

Little backstory. I have a 2026 Laramie. A couple weeks after I bought it the radio was locking up and extremely slow. Took it to dealer and they replaced the radio. Took about 6 weeks for it to come in. I got truck back and now there's no option to have screen go from dark mode to light. The option doesn't even exist. Dealer couldn't figure it out and said they checked the others on their lot and they didn't have the option either. SO they're telling me it's normal operation. The original radio had the option. When it was light outside it was a light background. When it was dark it would switch to black. There was a theme display option that is now completely gone. I called UConnect and they were no help. Just told me to take it to another dealer. Anyone else have this issue? Any ideas? @RamCares can you help me? It's a borderline safety issue as I have the panoramic sunroof and when it's bright out it's harder to see the screen and the info on it. Help please.

 

[JimiCA]

I have exactly the same issue on my brand new 2026 Rebel... Dark theme only and no "Theme Mode" option to set. I'd be interested in knowing if the factory reset and subsequent reboots fix the problem. I too did the factory reset in the middle of the afternoon, and after that the Theme was Light until my headlights came on, when it switched back to Dark and has remained that way since. I use Carplay now instead, but would prefer the vehicle navigation work as intended since I did pay for it.

 

[RamDiver]

I have exactly the same issue on my brand new 2026 Rebel... Dark theme only and no "Theme Mode" option to set. I'd be interested in knowing if the factory reset and subsequent reboots fix the problem. I too did the factory reset in the middle of the afternoon, and after that the Theme was Light until my headlights came on, when it switched back to Dark and has remained that way since. I use Carplay now instead, but would prefer the vehicle navigation work as intended since I did pay for it.

Did you try following Jimmy's directions in post #9?

No option to change from dark to light theme

Little backstory. I have a 2026 Laramie. A couple weeks after I bought it the radio was locking up and extremely slow. Took it to dealer and they replaced the radio. Took about 6 weeks for it to come in. I got truck back and now there's no option to have screen go from dark mode to light. The...

www.ramforum.com

.

 

[JimiCA]

Did you try following Jimmy's directions in post #9?

No option to change from dark to light theme

Little backstory. I have a 2026 Laramie. A couple weeks after I bought it the radio was locking up and extremely slow. Took it to dealer and they replaced the radio. Took about 6 weeks for it to come in. I got truck back and now there's no option to have screen go from dark mode to light. The...

www.ramforum.com

.

Yes, I did the factory reset and two reboots. I lost my SiriusXM & FM presets, had to reset my phone connection and temporarily lost Nav as a widget option on my Home Screen. It did nothing to help recover the Theme Mode option. Considering the time wasted and the results, I kind of wish I hadn’t bothered.

 

[RamDiver]

Yes, I did the factory reset and two reboots. I lost my SiriusXM & FM presets, had to reset my phone connection and temporarily lost Nav as a widget option on my Home Screen. It did nothing to help recover the Theme Mode option. Considering the time wasted and the results, I sincerely wish I hadn’t.

You could always call your dealer if you don't want to invest time in troubleshooting the issue.
Personally, I would prefer to learn and solve faults on my own, but maybe that's my approach.

Jimmy typically has very solid advice, and it is always worth the gamble, especially if you have no other solid leads.

Welcome to the marriage of Atlantis & Uconnect. That's 1 CF that I would avoid at all costs, but that's me.

BTW, I don't believe Stellantis has done anything to improve the NAV systems on our trucks.
I'm sorry to report that their NAV is the most worthless POS GPS ever.
I wasted time & money to have the NAV feature on my truck too.

I use it strictly as a timer for known routes, rarely follow the directions, and use a 17-year-old TomTom GPS that is 1000 times better for any serious road trips.

Let us know if you have an interest in exploring this further, and please update the thread if you find success through a dealership.

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