How to Turn On Chevy Heads-Up Display (Tahoe, Silverado & More)
The Chevy heads-up display (HUD) turns on from one of three places, depending on your model and year: the infotainment Settings or Controls screen, or a HUD control beside the steering wheel. Chevrolet’s support page says to tap Settings, then Display, then Head-Up Display. The 2026 Tahoe/Suburban manual uses Home, then Controls, then HUD, while the 2022 and 2024 Tahoe/Suburban and 2024 Silverado 1500 manuals use a HUD control to the left of the steering wheel. The HUD is optional equipment, so this guide also covers height, brightness, rotation, polarized sunglasses, and what to check when the image is missing.
How to Turn On Chevy Heads-Up Display
Best Add-On HUD Pick
 |
OBD2 and GPS Head-Up Display for Cars (Digital Speedometer)
|
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Spec-based pick from the listing, not a hands-on test.
Chevrolet’s own HUD support page (Chevrolet.com, How to Use Head-Up Display) gives the general method: tap the Settings app icon on the center display, then “Display,” then “Head-Up Display.” The page adds that in some vehicles you have to turn on the HUD in the Settings menu of your center display before the other controls do anything. Chevrolet also notes the information shown varies by vehicle, and that the HUD is available only “if equipped.”
The owner’s manuals show that the exact control has moved between model years. This table compares what each manual says, so you can match it to your vehicle before pressing anything.
| Vehicle and manual | Where the HUD control is | Manual page |
|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet support page (no model named) | Settings app, then Display, then Head-Up Display. Some vehicles have physical controls beside the steering wheel or a digital HUD icon on the Control Panel screen | Web page |
| 2026 Tahoe/Suburban | Infotainment Home, then Controls, then HUD. Brightness, height and rotation can be adjusted, or the HUD turned on or off. May only be available in Park | p. 129 |
| 2024 Tahoe/Suburban | HUD control to the left of the steering wheel | p. 134 |
| 2022 Tahoe/Suburban | HUD control to the left of the steering wheel | p. 133 |
| 2024 Silverado 1500 | HUD control to the left of the steering wheel | p. 133 |
Because the 2026 Tahoe/Suburban manual lists the controls under the infotainment Controls app and the 2022 to 2024 manuals describe a physical control, a 2026 owner searching for a button on the dash may simply not have one. If your vehicle is a different model, such as an Equinox, Traverse, Blazer, Trax or Colorado, use the Chevrolet support steps above and the HUD section of your own owner’s manual, which Chevrolet says to consult for information specific to your vehicle.
Where Is the HUD Button on a Tahoe, Suburban or Silverado?
For the 2022 and 2024 Tahoe/Suburban and the 2024 Silverado 1500, the manuals say the HUD control is to the left of the steering wheel, and each describes the same three functions. The 2024 Tahoe/Suburban manual words them this way:
- Height switch: press or lift to center the HUD image. The image can only be adjusted up and down, not side to side.
- View button: press to select the display view. Each press changes the view.
- Brightness switch: lift and hold to brighten, press and hold to dim. Continue to hold to dim until the display turns off.
The 2022 Tahoe/Suburban and 2024 Silverado 1500 manuals say “press or pull” instead of “press or lift” for the same switches. Chevrolet’s support page adds that physical controls may sit to the left or right of the wheel depending on the vehicle, so look on both sides if the left is empty.
Combiner HUD: The First-Start Step
Some Chevrolets do not project onto the windshield glass. Chevrolet’s support page describes a “Combiner HUD” that projects onto a screen in front of the windshield, and says that if you have one, you have to turn the HUD on the first time you start the vehicle. With the HUD off, press or lift any of the switches in the HUD controls. Once the HUD starts to open, release the switch and it will finish opening on its own.
| Combiner HUD control | What it does (per Chevrolet) |
|---|---|
| HUD up/down arrows | Raise or lower the HUD image once the screen is up. On vehicles with digital controls, a Height option with arrows does the same |
| INFO switch (not on all vehicles) | Press down to cycle the available page views. Lift and hold to turn the HUD off, then release as it closes |
| Dim (+/-) brightness switch | Increases or decreases brightness while the HUD is on |
The screen remembers the last position it was left in. Chevrolet’s page does not name which models use the combiner type, and the 2024 Silverado 1500 manual describes a windshield projection through a lens on top of the instrument panel, not a combiner screen. One quirk of the combiner type: the image may distort slightly as you shift in the seat, because of the curvature of the HUD screen.
What the Chevy HUD Displays: Page Views by Model Year
The views available differ between the Chevrolet support page and the manuals, so a friend’s HUD may show something yours does not. Chevrolet also says the information shown can vary by vehicle.
| Source | Views or content listed |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet support page | Speed View (speedometer, speed limit, Adaptive Cruise Control speed, Lane Departure Warning, Vehicle Ahead Indicator if equipped); Audio/Phone View; Navigation View with turn-by-turn; Performance View (speedometer, RPMs, transmission position, gear shift indicator) |
| 2024 Tahoe/Suburban and 2024 Silverado 1500 | Four views: Speed, Active Safety, Navigation/Active OnStar, and Off Road, plus temporary Audio and Phone overlays |
| 2026 Tahoe/Suburban | Speed and Navigation content, with the posted speed limit sign if enabled. Phone calls and driver assistance indicators can also appear |
In the 2024 manual, the Off Road view adds four-wheel-drive status plus pitch, steering and rolling angles, and the Active Safety view adds a driver assistance graphic. The 2026 manual lets you turn off the posted speed sign from the infotainment home screen under Settings, then Display; on the older manuals the speed limit style (a bar or a sign) is changed in the instrument cluster Options menu. For the speed limit on the navigation screen, see our guide to showing the speed limit on Chevy navigation.
Height, Brightness and Rotation: How to Adjust the Chevy HUD
Chevrolet’s support page says to adjust the seat to your ideal driving position before touching the HUD, and to sit up straight, because the image is tuned for that eye position. Then work through the three settings.
- Height: Chevrolet says the HUD should be as low in your field of vision as possible. The image moves up and down only.
- Brightness: the image dims and brightens automatically to match outside lighting, and you can fine-tune it manually. Sunlight at certain angles can make the image briefly light up, which the manuals call normal.
- Rotation: if the image looks slanted, with one side higher than the other, use the rotation setting.
The brightness warning matters: the manuals say a HUD image that is too bright or too high may make it take longer to see things you need to see in the dark, so keep it dim and low. They also caution not to use the HUD image as a parking aid, because you may misjudge the distance and damage the vehicle.
| Rotation method | Steps (per the manual or Chevrolet) | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Cluster Options menu | In the instrument cluster Options menu, press the thumbwheel while Adjust Rotation is highlighted to enter Adjust Mode, scroll to set the angle, then press the thumbwheel to confirm and save. May only be available in Park | 2022 and 2024 Tahoe/Suburban, 2024 Silverado 1500 (if equipped) |
| Infotainment HUD controls | Home, then Controls, then HUD, then use the Rotation and Height icons or tap the bar until the image is level and fully visible | 2026 Tahoe/Suburban |
| Digital Control Panel | Settings icon, then Display, then Head-Up Display to rotate the image | Vehicles with digital HUD controls (Chevrolet support page) |
Chevrolet says rotation typically only needs to be set once, unless the battery is disconnected, which makes the HUD revert to its default. The HUD also remembers your settings between drives, but if another driver changes them you will have to readjust.
Polarized Sunglasses and Other Reasons the HUD Is Hard to See
Chevrolet answers the sunglasses question directly: whether you can see the HUD depends on the type of sunglasses, and polarized lenses will affect it. Polarized sunglasses block horizontal light and let only vertical light through, and a windshield reflects very little vertical light, so the image looks much dimmer. Turning up the brightness helps somewhat, but it will never look as bright as with non-polarized lenses.
If the image is missing or unclear, the 2024 and 2026 Tahoe/Suburban manuals give almost the same checklist (2026 wording):
- Nothing is covering the HUD lens (the lens sits on top of the instrument panel).
- The brightness setting is not too dim or too bright.
- The HUD is adjusted to the proper height and rotation (the older Silverado 1500 manual lists only height).
- You are not wearing polarized sunglasses.
- The windshield and the HUD lens are clean.
If you continue to have problems after the checks, the manuals say to contact your dealer. They also note that the windshield is part of the HUD system, so a windshield replacement should be handled with that in mind (see the Windshield Replacement section of your manual). Our guide to car HUD displays is for drivers whose vehicle has no factory unit.
A Blue or White Line on the HUD Is Normal
GM’s Preliminary Information bulletin PIT6157C (published April 8, 2025, bulletin on NHTSA.gov) says customers will see a blue, white or grey line across the head-up display and that this is normal operation. Its correction states: do not replace the Head Up Display for this condition. The 2025 version lists, among others, the 2024 to 2025 Chevrolet Traverse, 2024 to 2025 Blazer EV, 2025 Equinox EV and 2024 to 2025 Silverado EV. It does not cover a dark, missing or distorted image, so run the checklist above for those.
Caring for the HUD Lens and Windshield
The 2024 and 2026 Tahoe/Suburban manuals give the same care steps: clean the inside of the windshield to remove dirt or film that could reduce the clarity of the image, then clean the HUD lens with a soft cloth sprayed with glass cleaner, wiping gently and drying it. Chevrolet Canada’s page adds that the lens is fragile.
What If Your Chevy Does Not Have a HUD?
Chevrolet’s pages describe the HUD as available “if equipped,” and Chevrolet Canada says that to find out if your vehicle has it you can contact your dealer or refer to the vehicle’s equipment list. Searches such as adding a HUD to a 1500 or 2500 truck come from drivers whose truck has none. A plug-in aftermarket unit is a separate system, not a Chevrolet option, and does not connect to the factory settings described above. The listing for our pick above says its OBD mode is not for pickups, so a truck owner would use its GPS mode.
FAQs About the Chevy Heads-Up Display
How do I turn on the heads-up display on a Chevy?
It depends on the vehicle. Chevrolet’s support page says to tap the Settings app icon on the center display, then Display, then Head-Up Display. The 2026 Tahoe/Suburban manual uses Home, then Controls, then HUD. The 2022 and 2024 Tahoe/Suburban and 2024 Silverado 1500 manuals use a HUD control to the left of the steering wheel.
Why can’t I find the HUD button on my Chevy?
Some models have no physical HUD button. Chevrolet’s support page says a vehicle may have physical controls beside the steering wheel or a digital HUD icon on the Control Panel screen, and the 2026 Tahoe/Suburban manual puts the controls in the infotainment Controls app. If neither exists, the vehicle may not have the optional HUD; Chevrolet suggests checking the equipment list or asking a dealer.
Can I move the Chevy HUD image left or right?
No. Chevrolet says the HUD can only be moved up and down, not to the right or left. Raising or lowering the image lets taller and shorter drivers see it, and the HUD should sit as low in your field of vision as possible.
Why is my Chevy HUD dim or missing with sunglasses on?
Polarized sunglasses block horizontal light and let only vertical light through, and a windshield reflects very little vertical light, per Chevrolet. Raising brightness helps somewhat, but the display will always look much dimmer with polarized lenses.
Why does the HUD image look crooked?
On windshield-projection HUDs the image can look slanted, with one side higher. Chevrolet says a rotation setting fixes it, found in the cluster menu on some vehicles and in the infotainment HUD controls on others, not with the dashboard switches. It is typically a one-time adjustment unless the battery is disconnected, which resets the HUD to its default.
How do I turn the Chevy HUD off?
Chevrolet says to lift the INFO switch on the HUD controls, turn the brightness all the way down, or turn the HUD off in the Settings menu of the infotainment system, depending on the vehicle’s equipment. Critical alerts may still display in the 2026 Tahoe/Suburban even when the HUD is turned off, per its manual.
What This Guide Does Not Cover
This guide does not cover HUD repair costs, windshield replacement pricing, or model-by-model equipment lists; ask a Chevrolet dealer to confirm what your exact vehicle has. The short version: find out whether your vehicle has a HUD, use the Settings, Controls or steering-wheel control that matches your model year, keep the image low and dim, and check for polarized sunglasses before assuming a fault.
Products related to this article
Sponsored / affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I may earn additional commission from eligible campaigns.
