This discussion has been locked.

You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Loose charger cable connection?

Former Member over 6 years ago

I have owned my 5+ for about 1.5 months now and initially the charging cable/watch connection was rock solid. However, over time it has started to become flaky, such I need to search for the right way to lay the watch to maintain the charging connection (and not touch/disturb it). Based on forum searches, it seems like this plagued the original 5 series a year or so back, but the reported instances dropped off. Does anyone else suffer from this issue? If so, it is usually a cable issue, watch issue or something with the watch connection points that need to be cleaned? I'll follow up with Garmin support on Monday, but thought I would check with the forum in the meantime.

Top Replies

Former Member over 6 years ago +3 verified

I had the same problem from day one and it turned out that it was a cable issue. I had the problematic cable replaced by garmin support and since then (2 months later) the connection is solid. If you want…
RodC over 6 years ago +2

I have had exactly the same issue, annoying when the watch costs so much.

Not yet found a reliable solution.
Have also tried two different cables from Amazon with no improvement.

Very concerning especially…
Former Member over 6 years ago +1

There are a couple threads, but this one seems to be the most comprehensive: https://forums.garmin.com/forum/on-t...nix-5x/154534-

I read through a majority of the posts, and in general the complaints are…

All Replies

0 JanH over 6 years ago in reply to Former Member

The little fix with the pliers seems to have worked! Thanks!

Still... this quality for this price...

0 ChrisDumais over 5 years ago

I'm on my 3rd fenix and all have done it after about 3 to 4 weeks or use. GARMIN gave me a bunch of hogwash about using the right plug. Doesn't make a difference. Have you gotten any answers why?

0 Dr Phil over 5 years ago in reply to ChrisDumais

Chances are it's simply a defective cable. Talk to Garmin Support nicely and they might send you a replacement.

0 ChrisDumais over 5 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

Definitely not that as this has been the 4th replacement watch and all have the same issue. Obviously a flaw in the pins inside the connector.

0 Dr Phil over 5 years ago in reply to ChrisDumais

And each time a different cable?

Never had an issue with my charging that wasn't sorted by changing the cable.

0 jfourman over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

Pliers and cleaning with Isopropyl did the trick. Thanks! I've been frustrated for months with this issue.

0 9490302 over 5 years ago

I found a reliable solution.

I use a hair clip to keep the cable well well connected to the watch. You can buy the hair clip anywhere for less than a dollar. Try it. It works!

However it is frustrating for a 800$ Garmin watch. I sincerely hope that they correct this error in the new models of Fenix.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to RodC

I have a Garmin Fenix 5X and vivoactive. Both have the same hellish con reaction as the 6X. I have to clean the brass contacts constantly to get them to charge. I have a friend with a 6X solar and he’s already having the same connection issues. It would stop me buying another one.

0 Dr Phil over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

Unknown said:
I have to clean the brass contacts constantly to get them to charge.

I find that is avoided by ensuring the watch is washed after use and dried after it gets wet and before putting it on charge.

Of course cables wear and that is to be expected over time. But FWIW I still have watches with perfectly clean connections and charging cables that are at least a couple of years old. I do also have some that have had to be replaced too.

0 JanH over 4 years ago in reply to RodC

You can use pliers to squeeze the contacts a bit. Helped for me. Also, Garmin will probably send you a new cable when you ask them - they did it already once for me (free of charge at least). But sooner or later the issue will come back.

I 100% agree, at the price point of the watch (or better: of Garmin watches in general), this is unacceptable.

#dontbuyagarmin