THE LITTLE HELP DESK · 5 MIN READ
No sound? Start here.
Work through the file, USB connection, and vehicle settings one at a time. Most checks do not need a new USB drive.
Start with a known working, short file and change one thing at a time. The order below helps distinguish a file problem from a USB or vehicle setting problem without erasing your existing data.
The USB sound option is missing.
Check whether your vehicle has the required PWS hardware and a custom Lock Sound setting in its current software and region. A sound file cannot add unsupported hardware or menu options. Consult your vehicle-specific owner’s manual.
The file is on the drive, but the car cannot find it.
Check that the exact filename is LockChime.wav, with no duplicate number or double extension. Put it at the root of the intended USB volume, not inside TeslaCam, Boombox, or another folder.
The filename looks right, but it is still not recognized.
Try a fresh download from our library. If you are using your own audio, use the converter to create real 16-bit mono PCM at 44.1 kHz. Renaming an MP3 does not convert it. Check that the file is under 1 MB and actually contains audio.
Nothing happens when I connect the USB drive.
Check the port. Some USB ports supply power but do not carry data. Use the supported data connection for your model, and confirm that the drive is readable. If Dashcam previously worked, preserve that setup while checking the sound file.
The sound plays on the computer, but not when I lock.
Select the USB/custom option in Lock Sound, then test while parked and locking from outside. Check whether normal vehicle lock settings, hardware, or regional behavior explain the difference. Keep your current owner’s manual as the reference.
The sound is too loud, quiet, or distorted.
Try a short, moderate-volume library sound as a comparison. Use the converter to adjust your own file. Phone or headphone playback does not predict the level or tone of a vehicle’s outside speaker. Avoid increasing volume repeatedly without testing.
Before formatting anything.
Formatting deletes files. Back up important Dashcam and Sentry recordings first, and check the vehicle manual. Reformatting is not the default fix for an unrecognized lock sound.
Still stuck?
Send a problem report with your model, year, region, software version, the sound name, and the checks you already tried. Please do not include a VIN, Tesla password, or sensitive vehicle data. A report helps us investigate; it is not a guarantee of compatibility.
References & last review
Reviewed September 24, 2026. Vehicle feature details: Tesla Model 3 owner’s manual and Toybox documentation. Community implementation for the custom filename and USB root: TeslaUSB discussion. Check your current model and regional manual if the vehicle differs.
Need a little help? Send us a note. Or find your next sound.