VIRB Bricked by Firmware update

Upon prompting by VIRB Edit, the Garmin webupdater application (Mac) was launched and indicated I needed to perform an update on the VIRB. I went through the process and the webupdater app said to remove the VIRB from the computer and allow it to reboot. I did this and, upon reboot, the VIRB made a high pitched whine that never went away. The VIRB never left the logo screen and was unresponsive to any button presses. The VIRB could not be shut down. The only way to stop the whine was to remove the battery.

This really stinks. I got the VIRB to document a ski trip that has another 10 days to go. The VIRB was working just fine until this "upgrade".

Please advise how to to fix this terrible bug.

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Try a Hard Reset..... With the device off, press the "down" button whilst pressing the power on button. After releasing the power on button release the down button and wait for the screen to say "Erase all user data" to which you should select yes..... it may take a while to come up.... if the VIRB starts re-try the Firmware upgrade.

It's no consolation for you but the Webdater worked for me on a Mac (Mavericks).

0 FredJensin over 11 years ago

Try a Hard Reset.....

It's no consolation for you but the Webdater worked for me on a Mac (Mavericks).

That's the first thing I tried. Makes no difference. Goes to logo screen, starts an incredibly annoying high pitched whine.

Pressing and holding the power button will cause the VIRB to momentarily turn off but it automatically cycles back on.

The only way to get it to permanently shut down is battery removal.

I am using Mavericks too. Really angers me because I'm sitting here looking at all the snow and now have no way to document the trip!

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Bummer..... try this.... take the memory card out and replace with either another freshly formatted one or format the one that was in there. The software update copies the files to that card and when you switch the VIRB back on it installs from the memory card.... so by giving it nothing to effectively boot from you might be able to re-start the upgrade!!

0 FredJensin over 11 years ago

Bummer..... try this.... take the memory card out and replace with either another freshly formatted one or format the one that was in there.

Thanks for the tip. One of the guys here has a GoPro so I think I can reformat the MicroSD using his camera. Really appreciate the help!

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Good luck!!

0 FredJensin over 11 years ago

Good luck!!

No joy. Was able to reformat ("Delete all") using the GoPro but after inserting the MicroSD into the VIRB it had exactly the same effect (Logo screen and shrill tone).

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Oh dear.... well I'm afraid I'm out of ideas, you'll need to speak to Garmin :(

0 FredJensin over 11 years ago

Oh dear.... well I'm afraid I'm out of ideas, you'll need to speak to Garmin :(

Apparently Garmin tech support is ALSO out of ideas (and generally useless so far as I can tell) since they told me to first reinstall the update and, alternatively, to do the master reset,.

They clearly didn't bother to read my description of the problem because I had written that I had already tried all those things. Clearly, they are just following a script. This is going to be hell.

Probably will just end up sending the whole thing back. Incredibly frustrating. I don't know of any modern consumer electronic device that doesn't have a rock solid hard reset. Except the VIRB apparently.

0 Former Member over 11 years ago

Was a solution to this ever found I have exactly the same problem on a Virb Elite I bought yesterday

0 mtbikexcski over 11 years ago

OMG - this is so bad. I didn't have the firmware update problem, but I definitely have the locks up all the time issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvlSQ5oYU-o