TomTom Screen Frozen — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Your TomTom screen is stuck and not responding to touch or buttons. This is usually a software crash or a memory issue. A forced restart with the power button or the pinhole reset button fixes a frozen TomTom almost every time.

Affected Models

TomTom GO 520
TomTom GO 620
TomTom GO 5200
TomTom GO 6200
All TomTom GPS devices

Common Causes

Software crash or hang
Device overheated
Low internal memory causing system lock
Corrupted map file causing a crash
Hardware fault (rare)

How to Fix It

Hold the power button for 15–20 seconds until the device restarts.

A forced restart clears a software crash. This does not delete any data.
If the power button does not respond, use the pinhole reset on the back or bottom of the device.

Insert a straightened paperclip and hold for 5 seconds. This forces a full hardware restart.
If the device overheated (hot to the touch), move it to shade and let it cool before restarting.

Starting an overheated device immediately can cause it to freeze again. Let it cool to room temperature first.
After restarting, update the firmware via MyDrive Connect.

Firmware updates include bug fixes for crashes and freezes. Install all available updates.
If freezing is frequent, perform a factory reset (Settings > System > Factory Reset).

Frequent freezing points to corrupted data or settings. A factory reset starts clean. Back up favourites first.

When to Call a Professional

If the device freezes repeatedly and a factory reset does not stop it, the hardware may be faulty. Contact TomTom support for diagnosis under warranty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will holding the power button to restart delete my TomTom data?

No — a forced restart using the power button does not delete any data. Your saved favourites, recent destinations, and maps are all preserved. Only a factory reset or MyDrive Connect reinstall deletes personal data.

Where is the TomTom reset pinhole?

On most TomTom GO models, the pinhole reset is on the back or bottom edge of the device. It is a small hole approximately 1 mm in diameter — insert a paperclip and hold for 5 seconds. Your device manual shows the exact location for your specific model.