GLE 450: Navigation problems (Activating Navigation)
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
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GLE 450 4 MATIC
GLE 450: Navigation problems (Activating Navigation)
Recently purchased a 2020 GLE 450 4MATIC. I seem to have a problem activating navigation. The Maps don't load and a spinner keeps spinning which says "Activating Navigation". Dealer tried re-setting the whole system, but still no avail. He now says, a new software updated is needed from Mercedes which will take about three months. Anyone else having this problem? Any solutions?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
GLE 450 4 MATIC
So I called customer service. Those guys have no idea when a fix would be available for this. They don't have anyone who can help with this issue technically. The car dashboard still shows no updates available. Really disappointed!
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 282
Likes: 85
From: Boston
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Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 41
Likes: 23
From: Boston, MA
'17 E300 & '20 GLE 350
Yes. This happened to me. We purchased our new 2020 GLE350 in September.
On the day of delivery, everything was fine except the Maps wouldn't load, spinner kept spinning saying "Activating Navigation" which was odd.
The concierge specialist, who didn't know what was going on, said "oh, it can take up to 20-30 minutes to activate after Mercedes Me Connect is set up."
I believed him. And because I was excited to bring the car home and also in a hurry to get home, I drove off with the car. Well, unbeknownst to me, the car should never have been delivered that way.
Maps never activated, neither later that day nor the next day. So I called Mercedes Me Connect, thinking it was their issue, and they said everything was fine on their end, but activation of maps was a dealer service issue.
So I took the car back to the dealership and service confirmed that there was indeed a problem.
They tried to re-load all the software including multiple software updates. That did not solve the problem.
Ultimately, after discussing with Mercedes-Benz, they had to order and replace the head unit radio assembly.
After the new head unit radio assembly was installed, the software and updates were able to be re-loaded. Everything is now working fine.
In the end this whole process took 10 days. (Minor side issue was that I had to call Sirius XM and provide them with the new radio ID code.)
In the end, I'm just glad everything worked out.
I hope everything works out for you.
On the day of delivery, everything was fine except the Maps wouldn't load, spinner kept spinning saying "Activating Navigation" which was odd.
The concierge specialist, who didn't know what was going on, said "oh, it can take up to 20-30 minutes to activate after Mercedes Me Connect is set up."
I believed him. And because I was excited to bring the car home and also in a hurry to get home, I drove off with the car. Well, unbeknownst to me, the car should never have been delivered that way.
Maps never activated, neither later that day nor the next day. So I called Mercedes Me Connect, thinking it was their issue, and they said everything was fine on their end, but activation of maps was a dealer service issue.
So I took the car back to the dealership and service confirmed that there was indeed a problem.
They tried to re-load all the software including multiple software updates. That did not solve the problem.
Ultimately, after discussing with Mercedes-Benz, they had to order and replace the head unit radio assembly.
After the new head unit radio assembly was installed, the software and updates were able to be re-loaded. Everything is now working fine.
In the end this whole process took 10 days. (Minor side issue was that I had to call Sirius XM and provide them with the new radio ID code.)
In the end, I'm just glad everything worked out.
I hope everything works out for you.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
GLE 450 4 MATIC
@xrayted
You are a saviour. Thank you so much for your input. I called up the service guy, told him about your experience. He called a few senior guys and they were able to confirm that I had the exact same scenario. The ordered the head unit, took about a few days, replaced mine and now navigation works!!!
Thanks a lot to everyone who helped on this thread. Really appreciate it.
You are a saviour. Thank you so much for your input. I called up the service guy, told him about your experience. He called a few senior guys and they were able to confirm that I had the exact same scenario. The ordered the head unit, took about a few days, replaced mine and now navigation works!!!
Thanks a lot to everyone who helped on this thread. Really appreciate it.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 279
Likes: 76
From: US-PNW
GLE350(V167) C300(W204)
Ugh I finally got this dreaded "activating navigation" issue. I thought I had it resolved yesterday but it re-appeared today. It was fine the past 17 months we got it lol. And we're close to 15k miles now.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 279
Likes: 76
From: US-PNW
GLE350(V167) C300(W204)
So what is odd with this issue is that if I use my key, it works perfectly. Now when my wife uses her key, along with her own profile, it goes back to "activating navigation". We both have our own Mercedes Me ID, but she's in the main account as additional user. I might think this could be profile and Mercedes Me ID related.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 357
Likes: 130
From: Manhattan
2021 GLE 63
i have had the same issue for a while and I'm told that they will need to replace the head unit. I've held off since I don't know how involved the swap is. Has anyone had head replaced yet. The weird activation issue pops up at odd times and the voice navigation continues to work while the spinning screen comes up. Sometimes its a few seconds to a few minutes. Definitely frustrating but it has been my only issue so far and I love my GLE (GLE63 on the way)
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 279
Likes: 76
From: US-PNW
GLE350(V167) C300(W204)
I think it has to do with the Mercedes Me ID. I duplicated my wife's profile but unlinked her Mercedes Me ID and it seemed to resolve it. I never had any issue with my profile, just hers.
Member
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 96
Likes: 22
2022 GLE 350
Thanks. Using a different profile worked.
BTW. MBUX team now quietly removed this option "Profile --> General Settings --> Synchronize Profiles automatically" in Dec 2025. You can't change the vehicle / light setting in app and sync with your user profile in app. Also you will not be able to sync your photo from app user profile to the car!
MB cars are good except the software part, which the Germany team is 10 years behind other cars! They keep removing feature every year (Traffic light was removed 2 yrs ago, Profile Sync... what next MB team?)
BTW. MBUX team now quietly removed this option "Profile --> General Settings --> Synchronize Profiles automatically" in Dec 2025. You can't change the vehicle / light setting in app and sync with your user profile in app. Also you will not be able to sync your photo from app user profile to the car!
MB cars are good except the software part, which the Germany team is 10 years behind other cars! They keep removing feature every year (Traffic light was removed 2 yrs ago, Profile Sync... what next MB team?)
