Garmin Customer Service Issues

Archive 1

The following are issues that customers reported to GetHuman about Garmin customer service, archive #1. It includes a selection of 20 issue(s) reported January 20, 2016 onward. If you have a similar customer service issue, this page will help you find current, up-to-date answers and solutions too.
I have a 7-hour road trip tomorrow to a place I've never been. Yesterday, I bought a lifetime Garmin account. If Garmin doesn't resolve the issue that broke my device, even after paying almost a hundred dollars and downloading data from their website, they will send me a new unit. The error message I'm encountering is "loader loading". Research online indicates that this is a prevalent issue after installing Garmin updates, sometimes leading to permanent device failure.
Reported by GetHuman-edwinhtu on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 12:28 PM
I have an eTrex Touch 25 GPS device. When I select a Waypoint and go to the map screen, I don't see the pink route line, only the triangle and a pin. When I click on the three bars, I get an error message saying "Route Calculations error. Maps do not have routable roads in this area" with only an "okay" option. Then, when I go back to the compass screen, I don't see the distance to my destination or the arrow on the Compass. I've tried going into the settings and playing around with the maps by disabling and enabling them, but I keep getting the same error message regardless of the map settings.
Reported by GetHuman6770 on Thursday, March 31, 2016 11:10 PM
I encountered an issue with the app when I tried to pair my Garmin watch after creating an account. Despite successfully pairing it once, I received a message indicating it was linked to another account, prompting me to reset. After the reset, I tried to follow the instructions to hold the button and say "seek," but was unable to proceed. Currently, I am stuck on a screen displaying the message to pair with the number [redacted]. Pressing the button only cycles me back to a step goal message before returning to the pair screen with the number [redacted].
Reported by GetHuman602288 on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 1:01 AM
Today, I attempted to update my Garmin Nuvi as I have done for years without any issues. However, during the download process, an error message about corrupted drivers appeared around 45%. I engaged in a live chat and was directed to provide my details for support. Subsequently, an individual called me and requested remote access to my laptop, but I declined and shut down my device. After researching on Google, I discovered that updating the Garmin Express driver for Windows10 resolved the issue, allowing me to successfully update my maps. It concerns me that there may be a group attempting to exploit unsuspecting customers through live chat. The situation highlights the importance of being cautious with such requests for access to personal systems. It seems these individuals may target customers of various technology companies. Thank you, Babru Samal
Reported by GetHuman658049 on Saturday, May 5, 2018 1:47 AM
Auto-Save Function Issue 03-07-[redacted], 04:02 PM Hello, I typically use my VSHR for walking and utilize the run function to track my progress. Recently, during a long walk in the lakes, I noticed an issue. When I took breaks, the device continued to track time, resulting in inaccurate readings. Normally, I walk at a pace of 18-22 minutes per mile, but while paused, it showed 40 minutes for a mile. I tried pausing the activity manually by pressing the button, but the auto-save feature kicks in after about 5-6 minutes, causing a new activity to start. Although there is a vibration alert, it's easy to miss. I haven't discovered a way to disable or adjust the auto-save timer. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Reported by GetHuman817685 on Monday, June 25, 2018 12:21 PM
In February, I purchased the Vivoactive 3 to track a race, but the battery only lasted 6 hours on GPS, even with the screen settings on the lowest. After reaching out with my concern, I was informed it was a known issue, and they were working on a fix. Despite following the emailed solutions, the GPS battery life hasn't improved. If a full solution isn't imminent, I may need to return the watch as it doesn't meet my activity needs. It's disappointing that the watch was marketed with a higher battery life than it delivers.
Reported by GetHuman-ceruss on Monday, July 16, 2018 7:45 PM
My European traffic subscription has expired. I received an email from Garmin detailing the countries covered by the subscription, which are: - United Kingdom - Italy and Slovenia - Greece - Netherlands - Nordic countries When attempting to renew on Garmin's website, it displays a different list of countries: - Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovenia - Russia - Austria and Germany - Belgium and Luxembourg - France - Spain and Portugal I also found on Garmin's website an extended list, including Ireland, with coverage for Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France (Danger Zones), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the U.K. I require the subscription to include Ireland. Can you verify if the European traffic subscription covers Ireland and how to download it? Device serial number: 1T[redacted]
Reported by GetHuman-lpmurphy on Monday, August 13, 2018 2:01 PM
Hello. I am a proud owner of a Garmin Forerunner [redacted], which has been instrumental in my middle school cross country runs. However, on August 14, [redacted], I encountered an issue where it failed to record mileage despite having a solid satellite connection. I attempted to save my run after it seemed not to function, but after 4 hours of the spinning circle, the watch died. Upon charging it, the watch appeared to function normally, but the problem recurred on the next day. I kindly request Garmin to either provide guidance on resolving this issue or offer a full refund in "Garmin money" or a replacement watch. I am willing to send it for inspection to demonstrate that the problem is not due to physical damage. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Reported by GetHuman1002355 on Friday, August 17, 2018 12:28 AM
I am having trouble with the leaderboards on segments. I have previously emailed you about this problem. I do not understand how you can continue selling products when you are unable to resolve your Garmin Connect issues. Even though it shows my best time on most segments, I am not appearing on the leaderboard. This has been a recurring problem since I started using Connect. I am contemplating switching my bike computer to Wahoo due to this unresolved issue. I had to switch from my Fenix 5X because the heart rate readings were inaccurate compared to a chest strap, showing a difference of 60 to 70 bpm. This was unacceptable for an $[redacted] device. Furthermore, my Garmin [redacted] frequently changes to different screen pages while cycling, making it difficult to access my information without swiping back to the correct page. It seems like your products are regressing rather than improving. Please address these issues promptly.
Reported by GetHuman-capnyc on Wednesday, August 22, 2018 7:06 PM
My Garmin Vivo Active HR watch stopped working, and the watch face is raised and detached from the body. This happened as I was using it in Yuma, AZ, where the temperature was [redacted] degrees. After a workout, I went for a swim, and when I got out, the screen was blank with the face coming off. The watch was charged during the incident. I received the watch at the end of June '[redacted], registered it in July '[redacted], and encountered the issue in July '[redacted], only about 30 days after purchase and a week after registering online. I'm fond of the watch - any suggestions on what I can do?
Reported by GetHuman1027940 on Thursday, August 23, 2018 4:42 PM
I have owned the Fenix 5 for nearly a year, and I must admit it hasn't been as precise as some of the older, more affordable watches I've used. As a competitive high school runner, the accuracy of my running distance is crucial to me. Despite being Garmin's priciest model, my Fenix 5 frequently either overestimates or underestimates my distance significantly. Surprisingly, my friends' less expensive watches seem to outperform mine in terms of accuracy. After doing some research on various forums, it appears that this issue is common with the Fenix 5, especially for running. This is disappointing since this watch was a special gift from my parents for my Birthday and Christmas. I prefer to have this problem rectified, whether through recalibration for accurate pacing and distance or exchanging it for a more precise model. Despite setting it to GPS + GLONASS mode for maximum accuracy, my watch consistently records distances that are significantly different from the actual distance covered, often leading me to believe I've run more than I actually have. This inaccuracy is unacceptable for a watch that cost me [redacted]-[redacted] dollars. If this problem isn't resolved, I may have to consider alternative brands in the future and caution others against investing in Garmin products.
Reported by GetHuman1052282 on Wednesday, August 29, 2018 6:05 PM
During a recent two-day camping trip with my family, my Garmin Forerunner 35 encountered a recurring issue where the screen turned white due to a battery drain. Upon returning home, I attempted to charge it, but the watch showed no signs of charging and remained with a white screen. After leaving it plugged in for several hours, it finally turned back on the following Friday. Today, the watch displayed a low battery warning again. After plugging it in at home, the screen turned white once more and the watch became unresponsive without showing any signs of charging.
Reported by GetHuman-kaileema on Thursday, August 30, 2018 4:53 AM
I purchased the Garmin vivoactive 3 from Amazon around three months ago. Unfortunately, the heart rate monitor has been inaccurate since the first day of use. I rely on this watch to track my workouts, but it consistently displays unreliable data. For instance, it will show my heart rate at 105bpm, then suddenly drop to 65bpm, or remain around 85bpm during intense activities like spin class or HIIT workouts. This is frustrating as I've noticed discrepancies of 30-50bpm compared to other devices or manual measurements. I've tried wearing the watch in various positions and hoped for software updates to fix it, but nothing has worked. I'm disappointed with this experience and would appreciate assistance in resolving this issue.
Reported by GetHuman-speedywe on Friday, August 31, 2018 4:18 AM
I purchased a Garmin GPS [redacted] for my wife, a racing cyclist with tachycardia, in September [redacted]. The device functioned well for two months, but now I am encountering issues with powering it on. Despite attempting soft resets and updating the software, it only starts up after being connected to a charger for 5 to 10 minutes. This unreliable behavior is concerning as my wife relies on accurate heart rate monitoring to maintain her health during cycling. With only two weeks left on the warranty, I seek assistance in repairing or replacing the unit promptly. Regards, Ron T.
Reported by GetHuman1102214 on Thursday, September 6, 2018 1:32 PM
Hello, I am experiencing difficulties connecting my Garmin [redacted] to the Garmin App on my Galaxy S4. After using a spare [redacted] watch, I encountered issues when trying to reconnect the [redacted]. Despite uninstalling and reinstalling the app, as well as shutting down my phone and ensuring Bluetooth is enabled on both devices, I continue to face a "Device Connection Error" message. This occurs at various stages, whether the watch is waiting to connect or completely switched off. I suspect the problem lies with the app rather than my phone. Any suggestions on how to successfully re-connect my watch would be welcomed.
Reported by GetHuman1137874 on Thursday, September 13, 2018 2:47 PM
I own a Garmin GPS with Lifetime Maps updates that I bought for over $[redacted]. I've been frustrated because it has needed updates since I first got it, but I now have internet access. I'm tired of dealing with outdated equipment and the hassle of getting promised updates. From dealing with the VA to the government to Garmin, it all feels the same - pay for something and don't receive what you were promised. It's a frustrating aspect of our computer-driven society that contributes to the current lack of trust in the country.
Reported by GetHuman-ignoredv on Wednesday, October 10, 2018 12:33 AM
I purchased a new Vivofit 4 in May, but started experiencing issues shortly after. The battery died quickly, and after replacing it, the display started acting up. Even with a replacement, it soon died. I received a refurbished unit as a replacement, but it also had problems. Lately, my Vivofit has been losing time before syncing. I would prefer a new device rather than another refurbished one, as this is the fourth time I've had trouble. My previous Vivofit lasted a long time, and I hope to have a similar experience with a new one.
Reported by GetHuman1353811 on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 12:28 PM
Hello, I wanted to share my recent unfortunate experience while trying to update the maps on my Garmin [redacted] LM through the Garmin website on 8/28/18. Initially, the update failed, and I had to call the toll-free support number listed on the site. The person who assisted me, claiming to be a Garmin technician, turned out to be from a company called Vurox LLC. Despite resolving the update issue, they pressured me into purchasing a 5-year support plan with AVG for $[redacted]. After realizing I did not have a valid copy of AVG, I contacted Vurox LLC for a refund but only received $[redacted] back. Despite promises from Nikki to refund the full amount, this never happened. I had to involve my credit card company in a dispute and refile it after the promised refund never materialized. This frustrating situation has left me feeling scammed by individuals connected to the Garmin website.
Reported by GetHuman-gkhmimpv on Friday, October 19, 2018 1:04 PM
I am experiencing an issue with my CAP aircraft's Apollo GX50 GPS. Despite updating the data, a message on the screen reads "FLIGHT SIMULATOR NOT FOR FLIGHT PRESS SEL." I have tried resetting by turning the GPS off and on, which resulted in it prompting for location input upon landing. I have reloaded data for the Western US as per Jeppesen instructions, but the GPS still shows the same error message and does not start up properly. The software and data card tests are passing during startup. I am seeking advice on how to resolve this issue and get the GPS back to normal functioning. Thank you for any help provided.
Reported by GetHuman1421095 on Friday, October 26, 2018 11:03 PM
My girlfriend bought me a Garmin Triathlon chest Heart Rate monitor for my birthday on 09-17-[redacted]. She paid for one-day shipping to ensure it arrived on time. However, when the monitor didn't show up, we discovered it was on back-order. We were not informed of this delay nor given the option to bundle it with my Garmin Fenix 5S Sapphire edition watch, purchased in August [redacted]. A Garmin support agent named Jordan suggested a Garmin Swim HR monitor as an alternative, but it's not what I wanted. I would like to bundle the Triathlon HR monitor with my original watch purchase. I am disappointed with the misunderstanding and hope to resolve this promptly. Contact me to address this matter. David Ekstein Email: [redacted] Phone: [redacted] Address: [redacted] Avenida Vista Montana apt. 26 C, San Clemente, CA [redacted]
Reported by GetHuman1451540 on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 6:44 PM

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