GMC - Waiting for Coverage message

[dtait231]

Help! I have a Pandora app icon on my entertainment system in my new 2020 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT. It's worked perfeclly for the last month and now I'm getting this message: "connecting...waiting for coverage..." and it never connects. Any ideas or remedies?

mod edit: changing title for clarity

[TannerPandora · Accepted solution]

Hi @dtait231 GMC have their own hotspot in the vehicle. Since Pandora needs an active internet connection, could you ensure that this is working correctly. You may have to talk to your dealership about it. 

Let me know how it goes. Thanks for posting to community! 🎧🚙

[Retiredgeek]

For Xmas I just gifted a Premium account from a Premium/Family member.  I had always enjoyed Pandora Free for several years previously.  Premium is amazing and works just great on my desktop and Pixel 2 phone but not in my 2019 GMC Canyon.  Downloaded GM’s built in Pandora Infotainment app, logged in, but all I get is a message “Signing In Waiting for Coverage”.

As Tanner said in the post above, you need to active GM’s Hot Spot service, at an additional monthly cost, to use the Pandora Infotainment app.  This is true for other built-in Infotainment apps like Spotify too.  It is a another way for GM to suck more $$ from us consumers.  No thanks.

Still, I get some of the benefits of Premium listening to Pandora in my truck via Bluetooth as before.

[Shane]

I was experiencing the exact same issue and I was able to resolve. I activated my hotspot on my phone and connected the radio. It signed in and works perfectly. I am not sure if I will have to connect to hotspot on phone everytime, but it is resolved for the moment. 

[Victor9851]

I have a similar problem. 2015 Chevy Hi Country, I have the added WiFi, it works great except for Pandora, I receive constantan Connection Error messages. Pandora will not pick up the WiFi connection from the entertainment center, my phone picks it up and connects to WiFi in areas with no cell coverage.

[TannerPandora]

Hi @Victor9851! Thanks for posting!

I'm going to create a support case for you. An agent from our automotive support team will reach out via email to further assist. 

Please be on the look out for their email.

[Blpattillo]

Any update on this I’m having the same problem will not connect through Silverado app on the my link but only with Bluetooth media on the phone 

[hedenfield13]

I am having trouble with the Pandora app in my 2020 GMC Terrain. I downloaded the app but it says 'waiting for coverage' and never does anything.

[TannerPandora]

Hi @Blpattillo! Are you getting a connection error message as well when trying to use the app within in the head unit?

• What year is your Silverado?
• What is the make and model of your mobile?
• Can you do me a favor and take a picture of the error that you're seeing?

---

Hi @hedenfield13! I do see a GM association with your Pandora account. If you're using the integrated Pandora app that is found within your vehicles head unit, be sure that the WiFi Hotspot is active and working properly. 

[hedenfield13]

So I need to have WIFI in the car if I want to use the Pandora app that was installed in my vehicle? 

[TannerPandora]

@hedenfield13 Correct, the Pandora app integration in GM is powered by a Wi-Fi Hotspot built into your vehicle. 

Alternative options to connect Pandora to your vehicle:

• Bluetooth - You can connect your phone via Bluetooth only and control Pandora with your smartphone.
• Android Auto / CarPlay - If your vehicle is equipped with this feature, you can connect your smartphone via bluetooth or USB and control Pandora through the head unit with Android Auto or CarPlay. 

The alternative options require you to use a compatible iPhone or Android with an active internet connection in order to stream music in the car.

Use your mobile device only when conditions allow and as permitted by applicable law.

[mc_marino]

So it appears that there isn't realla a solution here. 1) I have a Pandora premium account, 2) App is loaded into the head unit on my Sierra, 3) I pay for an unilimted data plan in my truck. Still does not work. I get the message "Network currently unavailable, please try again later". What this tread says is that the only way to get it to work is to stream through phone. This just doesn't seem right!

[Jackietodd814]

AGREED! I have been trying to understand this as well! we were listening to Pandora on our trip and all of the sudden it stopped working and said the network connection error. we thought it was just a bad signal. many vehicle restarts and conversations with onstar later and still no solution! they keep saying to use it through the cell phone but it makes no sense it was working! what is the app for if it doesn't work that way?

[Kmay]

I'm also having an issue in my GM van. It's a 2018. Just paid for unlimited wifi in the van. Phone working fine, Netflix on TV is fine. Pandora app is grayed out.

[Jackietodd814]

It's really frustrating! Wish I could find a fix for it!

[Dzimm111111]

I have this exact same issue with Pandora. I just bought a pre-owned 2017 Silverado and was psyched to have Pandora built right into the entertainment system. The dealership gave me 3 free months of wifi which I verified works on ever other app, and my phone connects to it and shows a full signal. Pandora was working for about a week then would randomly lose signal and give the "no internet connection" error message even though the truck's wifi is working fine. I tried to remove and re-install the app and now it won't even re-install in the truck. Please advise

[Raul_NM]

I am having the same issue on my 2015 Chevy Suburban. Pandora was working perfectly fine when I would connect my phone (iPhone 12 Pro Max). It just stopped working a couple days ago. Anyone know how to fix it?

[Jackietodd814]

The problem is we still had the internet working in the car and the Pandora (and other Apps now) stopped working. It just says ther error each time we click on it.

[archjeb]

I have the same issue in a 2018 GMC sierra. Was working fine until about 2 months ago. But I do notice that internet connectivity through Onstar LTE is very bad. Using my laptop connected to truck's wifi, I'm getting packet loss doing a simple ping to google.com.

[alan21e]

For the last year in my 2021 GMC Sierra, the Pandora app has worked flawlessly. It was working fine yesterday, however, this morning I received a message, "connecting...waiting for coverage" and the app never loaded during my hour commute to work. I do have GM's Hotspot service. Is there a fix for this issue?