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In today’s digital age, entertainment and connectivity in vehicles have become essential features. For Subaru owners, one of the key components contributing to an enjoyable in-car experience is the Gracenote database. This advanced database helps manage and organize your music, audio, and metadata, making it easier to find your favorite tracks, albums, and artists. However, like any technology, it needs regular updates to ensure you have access to the latest features and accurate music data. If you're looking to know how to perform a Gracenote database update Subaru, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about updating the Gracenote database in Subaru, the importance of doing so, and answers to frequently asked questions.

What is the Gracenote Database?

Before diving into how to perform a Gracenote database update Subaru, it's essential to understand what the Gracenote database is and why it’s important for your vehicle. Gracenote is a service that provides music recognition, metadata, and entertainment content to various devices, including car audio systems.

In Subaru vehicles, the Gracenote database helps your infotainment system by organizing and displaying information such as:

  • Song titles
  • Artist names
  • Album artwork
  • Track information
  • Genre and mood tagging

This database allows the Subaru STARLINK infotainment system to display all of your music content in a well-organized and visually appealing manner. Regular updates to the Gracenote database ensure that the metadata stays current, adding new artists, albums, and tracks, as well as fixing errors or missing information in existing media.

Why Is It Important to Update the Gracenote Database?

Just like your vehicle’s navigation system, Gracenote updates are crucial to maintaining accuracy and functionality. Without an updated database, your Subaru’s infotainment system might not display the latest music releases or could display incorrect information about artists or albums. Additionally, if you add new media to your vehicle, it may not be recognized or displayed correctly unless your database is up to date.

Here are a few reasons why it’s important to perform a Gracenote database update Subaru:

1. Access to New Content

Music libraries evolve quickly with new albums, singles, and tracks being released all the time. A Gracenote update ensures that all new music content is recognized and displayed accurately within your Subaru infotainment system.

2. Improved Accuracy

Music metadata such as artist names, song titles, and album covers can sometimes be incomplete or incorrect. Regular updates to the Gracenote database ensure that all media content is properly identified, making your listening experience more enjoyable and hassle-free.

3. Faster Media Recognition

An updated Gracenote database enables quicker recognition of songs and artists, especially when you play music from USB drives, CDs, or Bluetooth devices. This means fewer errors or delays when browsing your music collection.

4. Better User Experience

With a fresh database, your Subaru infotainment system will display more relevant and up-to-date music information, ensuring a smoother and more enjoyable in-car entertainment experience.

5. Compatibility with New Devices

As you integrate new devices or media sources into your Subaru, the Gracenote update ensures that your car’s system can properly interact with these sources, helping you get the most out of your system’s connectivity features.

How to Perform a Gracenote Database Update in Your Subaru

Subaru offers a straightforward process for performing a Gracenote database update. There are generally two ways to update the database: via USB or OTA (Over-the-Air) updates. Here's how you can update the Gracenote database for your Subaru using these methods.

Method 1: USB Update

For Subaru vehicles that don’t support OTA updates, a USB method is often the go-to solution. Follow these steps to update the Gracenote database using a USB drive:

Step-by-Step Process for USB Update:

  1. Prepare a USB Drive: Start by inserting a blank USB flash drive (with at least 4 GB of available space) into your computer. Make sure the USB drive is formatted to FAT32.

  2. Visit the Subaru Website: Go to the official Subaru website and navigate to the Gracenote database update page. You’ll need to enter your vehicle's make, model, and year to download the most compatible update for your system.

  3. Download the Update Files: Download the Gracenote database update files onto your computer. These files will typically come in a compressed folder, which you will need to extract before transferring them to the USB drive.

  4. Transfer the Files to USB: Once extracted, move the Gracenote update files onto the USB drive. Make sure that the files are placed in the root directory (not inside any folder).

  5. Insert the USB Drive into Your Subaru: Start your vehicle and insert the USB drive into the USB port on the infotainment system (usually located near the dashboard or center console).

  6. Initiate the Update: On the Subaru STARLINK system, navigate to the Settings menu, then select System Update. The system should automatically recognize the USB drive and prompt you to begin the update process.

  7. Complete the Update: Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update. The process may take around 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the update. Ensure that the car remains turned on during the process to prevent interruptions.

  8. Confirm the Update: Once the update is complete, the system will likely reboot. Afterward, you should have access to the updated Gracenote database, with new song and artist information now available.

Method 2: Over-the-Air (OTA) Update

If your Subaru is equipped with the STARLINK system and supports OTA updates, the process becomes even simpler. Here’s how you can update your Gracenote database over the air:

Step-by-Step Process for OTA Update:

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi: Make sure your Subaru is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network while parked. This is essential to ensure a smooth OTA update.

  2. Check for Available Updates: On the STARLINK infotainment system, go to Settings and then System Update. Your vehicle will check for any available updates, including the Gracenote database update.

  3. Start the Download: If an update is available, the system will notify you and ask if you want to proceed with the download. Confirm to start the process.

  4. Wait for the Update: The OTA update may take some time, depending on the size of the file and your internet connection. It’s crucial to let the system download and install the update without turning off the car.

  5. Confirm the Update: Once the update is complete, your Gracenote database will be updated automatically. You can check by navigating to the music or media settings to ensure that the metadata and track information is correct.

Cost of Gracenote Database Update for Subaru

In most cases, Gracenote database updates are free for Subaru owners, especially if your vehicle is still under warranty or within the initial period after purchase. However, if you are outside the free update window, or if you're experiencing issues that require a manual update, you may need to contact your Subaru dealer for assistance.

Subaru generally offers free updates for the first few years of ownership, either through USB or OTA methods. After the free update period expires, you may be required to pay a small fee if you choose to get the update from your local dealership.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How often should I update the Gracenote database in my Subaru?

While there’s no fixed schedule for Gracenote database updates, it's a good idea to check for updates every 6 to 12 months. This ensures that your vehicle has the most up-to-date music metadata and track information.

2. Can I update the Gracenote database on my Subaru for free?

Yes, Gracenote database updates are generally free for new Subaru owners, especially during the first 3 to 5 years after purchase. After this period, some updates may incur a fee, depending on your Subaru model and update method.

3. How do I know if I need to update the Gracenote database?

If you notice that your Subaru infotainment system is displaying incorrect or incomplete music information, or if your system fails to recognize newly added music files, it may be time to update the Gracenote database.

4. What happens if I don’t update my Gracenote database?

While it’s not mandatory to update your Gracenote database, failing to do so can result in inaccurate metadata, unrecognized music files, and slower media recognition. It can also limit your ability to enjoy new music content.

5. Can I update the Gracenote database myself?

Yes, you can easily update the Gracenote database yourself via USB or OTA update. Both methods are user-friendly and do not require professional help unless there’s a specific issue with your system.

6. What should I do if the update fails?

If your Gracenote update fails, first try restarting the vehicle and ensuring your internet connection (for OTA) or USB drive (for manual updates) is functioning correctly. If the issue persists, you may need to contact your Subaru dealer for assistance.

Conclusion

Updating your Gracenote database Subaru is an important step in ensuring that your vehicle’s infotainment system provides accurate and up-to-date music metadata. Whether you’re using the USB method or opting for OTA updates, regularly updating the Gracenote database helps enhance your overall in-car entertainment experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your Subaru is always ready to recognize your latest music and provide you with a smooth, enjoyable ride.