Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob Not Detected? Try This Easy Fix (2014 – 2022)

The Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob not detected message on your dashboard could be a minor inconvenience or a sign of serious troubles in your car’s electrical system, so it’s important to know how to fix it if you do encounter this error message.

Here are several tips for troubleshooting and ultimately fixing the error message in your Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob Not Detected – Quick Fix

If your Grand Cherokee dashboard shows an error message that the key fob is not detected, a workaround is to place the top of the key fob on the engine start-stop button, maintain contact for 5 seconds, then use the top of the key fob to press the button until the Jeep ignition turns on.

This step is written in further detail here with images below.

Why Is The Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob Not Detected?

This is one of the most common problems in the world of keyless-entry car keys. Even though the keyless entry in newer Jeep models makes it very convenient to push to start, there are a few reasons why your Jeep key fob is not being detected.

Here are 7 reasons why your key fob might not be detected in your Jeep:

Dead Key Fob Battery

The most typical cause of a failure to of sending signals to the Jeep’s keyless entry system is a faulty or dead battery in the key fob.

If you don’t have a spare fob, the next section has a few helpful tricks which you can use to start the vehicle when the key fob fails.

Faulty Or Damaged Key Fob

Have you dropped your Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob on the ground or in water? This is also one of the main causes for the key fob not working as there might have been wires which have become loose or damaged.

If you have previously dropped your Jeep Key fob in water then contact your local service center to examine the internals of the key for electrical faults. If there is significant damage then you might have to get a replacement key fob.

Using The Wrong Key

We all make clumsy mistakes, but check if you have your vehicle’s key fob and not a different one! All key fobs are unique to the vehicle and will not operate with any other car.

Radio Interference or Signal Jammers

If the Jeep Grand Cherokee Key fob suddenly stops working, then radio interference could be the culprit. Nearby radar detectors, and anti-theft alarms, may transmit the same frequency as your key fob’s signal and disrupt the vehicle from interpreting the signal.

Also, be very cautious if your key fob stops working in a shopping mall or a crowded area since thieves with signal jammers effectively aim to stop your key fob from working in an attempt that you leave your car unlocked and they can make a getaway.

Another cause of interference noted in other vehicles such as the RAM, is that replacing the incandescent bulb in the third brake light with LED’s sometimes causes interference as you press the brake pedal and the signal to the keyless entry module.

Worn Out or Weak Jeep Battery

Sometimes the issue lies with your Jeep Grand Cherokee itself. If your Jeep’s battery is about to die, it may not respond to the key fob. Charge the Jeep battery and have it assessed or replaced if it’s old.

Programming Fault In Your Key Fob

This usually occurs if your key fob or the car battery dies. You might notice that if you replace the battery the key fob will still show the error of it not being detected. If this occurs then contact a certified locksmith to reprogram your key.

Issue With The Keyless Entry System Or Engine Push-Start Button

A keyless entry system wire malfunction or even a faulty start button are all possible causes as well. Consider getting your Jeep Grand Cherokee assessed for possible at a certified service center for further diagnosis and repairs.

How To Fix A Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob That Is Not Detected?

The Jeep key fob acts as a short-range radio transmitter, sending coded signals to the vehicle’s receiver. By pressing the push-to-start button, the receiver then performs the function of turning the vehicle on. It is not uncommon for the Jeep Grand Cherokee to fail to receive signals from the key fob. Let’s take a look at how you can fix it.

Replace The Key Fob Battery

The first thing you should try is to change your Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob battery. For the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the key fob battery is a CR2032. You can find one here 

Here are the steps to replacing your Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob battery:

1. Using a flathead screwdriver, carefully pry open the Jeep key fob.
2. Take the old CR2032 battery out of its housing.
3. Place the new CR2032 battery in place.
4. Connect the key fob housing by snapping them together.

Clean Your Key Fob

If replacing your key fob battery doesn’t solve the issue, you should clean your key fob. Your key fob may have accumulated dust or dirt over time which might have affected the connectivity of the contacts or transmitters in your remote.

Use a microfiber cloth with some rubbing alcohol to clean the outside of the key fob. Open the key fob as you would when replacing the battery and look for any debris trapped between the contacts of the battery and within the housing. Use a toothpick or cotton bud to clean the inside out well.

Have The Jeep Grand Cherokee Battery Checked

If your engine cranks when you start the car and the headlights seem dimmer than usual, the most likely culprit is your battery, which affects your key fob working too. Go to a certified service center to have your Jeep Grand Cherokee’s battery assessed or replaced.

Can You Start A Jeep Grand Cherokee When The Key Fob Is Not Detected Or Is Dead?

If you have examined your key fob free of any damage and you’ve confirmed that you have the correct key fob, you can start the Jeep using by placing the top of the key fob on the engine start-stop button, maintaining contact for 5 seconds, then use the top of the key fob to press the button until the Jeep Grand Cherokee ignition turns on.

It is crucial to maintain contact with the button for a full 5 seconds, otherwise, this might not work!

The Jeep Grand Cherokee owner’s manuals for the years 2014 to 2022 mentions that: “if the key fob is next to a mobile phone, laptop, or other electronic device, the key fob’s wireless signal may not be detected by the Jeep Grand Cherokee keyless-go system, preventing the keyless-go system from starting your Jeep Grand Cherokee.”

This is only a temporary “fix” until you replace the key fob battery or one of the solutions mentioned above.

The lock and unlock buttons on the remote still won’t work with a dead key fob battery

Wrapping Up Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob Not Detected

Your Jeep Grand Cherokee key fob may not be detected because of the following:

• Dead Key Fob Battery
• Faulty Or Damaged Key Fob
• Using The Wrong Key
• Programming Fault In Your Key Fob
• Worn Out or Weak Jeep Battery
• Radio Interference or Signal Jammers
• Issue With The Keyless Entry System Or Engine Push-Start Button

If you need to start your Jeep Grand Cherokee with the key fob not detected error appearing on the dashboard, place the top of the key fob on the engine start-stop button, maintain contact for 5 seconds, then use the top of the key fob to press the button until the ignition turns on.

Were you able to fix your Jeep Key fob error?