Autopilot Unavailable
Tesla Electric Vehicle
Severity: ModerateWhat Does This Error Mean?
Autopilot Unavailable means the driver assistance features are temporarily disabled. This usually happens when cameras are blocked, it is raining heavily, or the system needs to recalibrate after a windshield replacement. Clean the cameras and drive for a while to allow recalibration.
Affected Models
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model Y
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model X
Common Causes
- Camera lenses blocked by dirt, snow, or ice
- Heavy rain or fog reducing camera visibility
- Camera recalibration needed after windshield replacement
- Software update pending or recently installed
- Sun glare directly into cameras
How to Fix It
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Clean all cameras — there are 8 around the car.
Wipe the camera lenses with a soft cloth. Front cameras are beside the rearview mirror. Side cameras are on the fenders. Rear camera is above the license plate.
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If recently had windshield replaced: drive 20-50 miles for recalibration.
After a windshield change, cameras need to recalibrate. Drive normally on well-marked roads until the message clears.
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Perform a soft reboot: hold both scroll wheels for 10 seconds.
This restarts the camera processing system.
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If it persists: check for software updates.
Controls > Software > check for updates. Some updates fix Autopilot availability bugs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does camera calibration take?
Usually 20-50 miles of driving on well-marked roads. Highway driving calibrates faster than city driving.
Does Autopilot work in rain?
Light rain is usually fine. Heavy rain can reduce camera visibility enough to disable Autopilot temporarily. It re-enables automatically when conditions improve.