post Re: Kenwood ddx-396 streaming doesn't work in Automotive

Kenwood: Won't play through integrated Pandora app

PooperScooper — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:24:27 GMT

I just installed a Kenwood ddx-396 and Pandora does not seem to connect. My phone is a a Pixel 7 pro. I can stream Pandora through Bluetooth but not through the Pandora app on the head unit. The car is a 2015 Ford Focus. Pandora has quit talking to the factory head unit years ago.

Moderator Edit: Changing title for clarity

Re: Kenwood ddx-396 streaming doesn't work

TannerPandora — Mon, 19 May 2025 16:57:54 GMT

Hi @PooperScooper

When you tap the Pandora app on your Kenwood is it unresponsive? Or does it open but not load any music. Are you connecting with a USB?

Thanks for the additional details.

Re: Kenwood ddx-396 streaming doesn't work

PooperScooper — Mon, 19 May 2025 17:48:19 GMT

It'll open but not play any music. I'm connected via Bluetooth to I haven't been able to get it to connect via USB yet.

Re: Kenwood ddx-396 streaming doesn't work

TannerPandora — Mon, 19 May 2025 18:34:18 GMT

Thanks for the follow up, @PooperScooper

I know with some 3rd party players you'll need to either select USB or in some cases, an external source in order to play when connected.

Just to confirm, when you connect with Bluetooth, you're able to select content to play, but there is no sound. Does it look like it's playing, the counter moving, but no sound?

Can you confirm your:

Android OS
Pandora version:

Thanks!

Re: Kenwood ddx-396 streaming doesn't work

PooperScooper — Mon, 19 May 2025 21:21:54 GMT

It will play when I select Bluetooth as the source but when I select Pandora as the source it will not play at all.

Re: Kenwood ddx-396 streaming doesn't work

TannerPandora — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:44:45 GMT

Thanks for the follow up, @PooperScooper. Sorry for the delay. I've let our engineering team know about your experience with PandoraLink.

Does your Kenwood come equipped with Android Auto? It may offer a better experience in the meantime.

Re: Kenwood ddx-396 streaming doesn't work

TannerPandora — Wed, 21 May 2025 16:46:02 GMT

Thanks for the follow up, @PooperScooper. Sorry for the delay. I've let our engineering team know about your experience with PandoraLink.

Does your Kenwood come equipped with Android Auto? It may offer a better experience in the meantime.

Re: Kenwood ddx-396 streaming doesn't work

PooperScooper — Wed, 21 May 2025 17:15:09 GMT

Hi,

Unfortunately no, it does not come with Android auto.