Immense frustration with connectivity issues!

I've had the 5X Plus since last Friday and the connectivity issues have been nothing but frustrating. I had problems initially connecting my Fenix 3HR with my phone, so I expected that. Thankfully, the 3HR phone connection issues were resolved with the first firmware update. This 5X Plus is MUCH worse. It doesn't seem to want to connect to anything... at least not for very long. I've had nothing but problems keeping it connected to the following devices:

Samsung Note8
Garmin HRM-Tri
Garmin Footpod
Senso Bluetooth Headphones

The device will connect, then it will disconnect, then it will connect, then disconnect... you get the picture. I saw a post earlier where someone noted that they were having a similar problem with the HRM-Tri, but their device seemed to disconnect at a set interval (around 2mins). Mine connects and disconnects whenever it pleases, which is often!

I also have the watch paired with two 4iiii power meters, but haven't done an outdoor ride with either, yet, so I don't know if those have issues, or not. I did have a bit of a problem initially pairing the two devices, though.

The only device that hasn't seemed to have any issues is my Amazon Tap that I use as a bluetooth speaker. Then again, I have only played about 5 minutes worth of music on it as I was testing the Music mode of the watch.

I can understand - to some extent - pairing issues with non-native Garmin devices, but to have your HRM and footpods constantly connecting and disconnecting... well that's unacceptable. Especially at a, $850 price point!!! Really, Garmin, did you test this device with anything???

The watch seems to discharge much faster than my Fenix 3HR, also. It was fully charged yesterday at 7am, and today at 7:48am, it's down to 61%. That was with a 35min run. I don't have the Pulse OX on, so I suspect the pairing issues are the problem, but I could be wrong.

Anyone else having these problems?

Garmin, when can we expect a firmware update? If not in the next couple of weeks, I have to seriously consider returning the Fenix 5X Plus and strapping my trusty Fenix 3HR back on (thankfully, I haven't sold it yet!). I have to think it's better to wait until the kinks have been worked out on this watch and get it on sale in the future. That's assuming the problems can be worked out at all. My understanding is the original Fenix 5 series still has issues with connectivity.

  • By most accounts the x+ is better from a connectivity perspective than the x and I've had zero difficulty with keeping connection with my

    Samsung S8+
    Garmin HRM-Run
    Garmin Footpod
    Garmin Speed
    Garmin Cadence

    This makes me wonder about a few things

    1. Do you generally have trouble keeping connection indoors (ie on a treadmill) or are you seeing these drops in outdoor activities?
    2. Do you have some sort of case on your Note 8? I use a Tech21 on my S8+ and have zero issues with the connection to the phone.
    3. Are the Samsung power settings killing/suspending the connect app? Samsung does odd things here from time to time...
    4. If you have connection problems mostly indoors, what sort of Wifi AP are you running? Is it close to your treadmill?


  • Nmyeti:
    I'll address your questions in order:

    1. With my 3HR, I never had any problems, indoors or out. I have a treadmill and alternate between that and outdoor runs. With the 5X Plus, I've had problems both indoors and out.
    2. I have a Tech21 case, also. Again, no problems with connecting with the 3HR.
    3. I do have my Note8 power settings set to save power. I'll try adjusting that.
    4. See 1, above.
  • i'd contact support. Bet they will have you send fit files and do a memory dump to send that as well. Power save is probably why you are having issues with the Note, but the garmin devices shouldn't be impacted by that at all.
  • My fenix 5X Plus disconnects from my iPhone X periodically and then won't reconnect on its own. I have to reset bluetooth or shut down the app and disconnect from the watch before it will reconnect. I had this issue for a while in my Fenix 5X but then the various updates fixed it. Frustrating to see this issue appearing again.
  • Just an FYI... I had a data saving feature turned on my phone. I turned that off, but there has been no change in the connectivity between my Fenix 5X Plus.

    And, as of this morning, my battery has drained to 48% and I was sitting in a car or sleeping for most of the time between now and my first post at 7:55am, yesterday. That's 13% drained in less than 24 hours with me doing no real activity. No way this battery is going to last as long as Garmin says it should.

    I was traveling yesterday, so I'll contact support today. I'll update this post if I receive more answers.
  • I have the same issue with my iPhone X. It seems like it's an app issue, because whenever it happens all I have to do is force close Garmin Connect on the phone and restart it and it reconnects. Never had the same problem with my (non-plus) 5X.
  • Only had my 5x+ for 24 hours, but bluetooth connection to Samsung 9+ has been fine. I previously had a 5x, and it would lose the phone if I was near a Roku remote (bluetooth). This 5x+ didn't have a problem in the same situation. However, connection to an HRM-TRI is very spotty.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    I also have the same problem, my Fenix 5 plus cannot connect to the bluetooth of my iphone 8+ and samsung edge 7not even once since I opened it. It is really frustrating.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Same here. 5X+ won’t reconnect to iPhone X, but a reboot of the app fixes it…