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2018.20 Australia & NZ Map Update Fail

Former Member
Former Member
Two weeks ago I had an issue updating the maps for my new Fenix 5X Plus, contacted support and was told that Garmin Express wasn't compatible with a 4G wifi connection and so they couldn't help me. I have since upgraded my connection and have successfully downloaded the 2018.20 topoActive maps, however on install I am getting the error "There was an error installing the update."

Not only that, but the original maps that were on the device have now been replaced with the most basic map that only shows major roads and no contours. I now understand that a backup of all files on the watch would have been advisable before an update is carried out, something which I would have thought would automatically be done before an update by Garmin Express.

I have contacted support again and they offered me a refund. I told them that I bought the watch because I want to use it, not to get a refund. After 1.5hrs on the phone I have now lost all of my user settings/history after completing the requested factory reset.

I have now sent all files to Garmin Support minus map files in hope that they can sort something out - when is another question. I have never had an issue like this before and I have owned 3 other Garmin devices in the past 10 years. I use the watch for my business reviewing and writing up hiking trail guides in Australia, I need it sorted asap.

Garmin Express is now stuck in the install mode for this map and won't let me download it from scratch, much like the other maps already on the device - I have deleted the other maps files, and they re-download and re-install without an issue when I select Map Options -> Reinstall Map. I need to have this option for the 2018.20 A&NZ Map, or a download link for the file which support say is not possible.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Hi Green Trails and Garmin,
    I have just had exactly the same thing happen to me on two brand new watches, The first Garmin Fenix 5x Plus I purchased Thursday 31st of January. After 3 phone calls to Garmin support and being told the only way to fix it was to send the watch in for review and assessment, I returned the watch to the store I purchased the watch and was given a new replacement watch.

    Yesterday I again connected to Garmin Express, i tried to complete the update for Topo Maps for Australia and New Zealand. The update completes but deletes a lot of the info and map options in Navigate.

    This has happened to two brand new watches now.

    Can you please help Garmin or someone?

    #australia #fenix 5x plus #topo australia
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    I have the same problem, deleted everything and reinstalled everything and no good. can get shonkey maps to install but garmis doesnt do anything other than delete my existing maps......sent Garmin the issue direct earlier today but donr expect to get any result. My Fenix 3 worked perfectly, fenix ended up having 3 replaced under warranty then returned und upgraded to 5x plus. Now this! Suunto is looking better by the minute!
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Hi, I purchased a Fenix 5 Plus yesterday and set it up today. I have the same problem here. After plugging the watch in my computer to use Garmin Express to update the watch it has deleted the maps on the device and wont let me install the 2018.20 topoActive maps. I now have no maps on the device apart from the very basic base map. I am disapointed as this was one the features I bought the watch for.

    I have tried reinstalling garmin express and factory resetting the watch. This has not fixed the problem of being able to install the maps.

    I thought when spending so much money on a watch it would work properly.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    I have since fixed my phone connection by deleting the previous Bluetooth connection with the Fenix 5X Plus, which resolved the issue to reconnect it. Maps are still the major issue which is yet to be resolved. Looks like a common problem going by above similar issues. Have checked every day, connecting to Garmin Express to no avail. No communication from Garmin as yet.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Can anyone confirm .img map files present on their Garmin Fenix 5x Plus? See attached image of my current files - want to check that size is all correct for each file.ciq.forums.garmin.com/.../1454287.png
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Same problem for me for a Garmin 5 Plus I bought only just 1 wk ago. I have tried going to the library and deleting the downloaded maps on OS X to force Garmin Connect to re-download to no avail.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Just an update from me - Contacted Garmin Support again and they told me that they are waiting on a reply from an email that they never sent to me. They sent it through while on the phone, which came through without an issue - asking for Garmin Express Logs and ensuring that the issue would be resolved soon...

    I also asked if buying the full Garmin Topo maps for AUS & NZ would work (the ones that cost a further $199), and they said not to buy them because they couldn't guarantee that they would work either.

    I checked Garmin basecamp, and reinstalled v6.00 of the software to the watch which didn't fix anything (but wipe my data again), and more importantly noticed that AU&NZ maps are not present on the device at all - they are in fact locked. Asked Garmin Support for unlock code and they would not give it.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    I also downloaded OpenMaps 1:250k GPS Maps (free) so that I at least have something that shows more than just major roads. This map is 400Mb and works perfectly fine on the fenix 5x plus.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Hi Guys, had the same issue with the AU&NZ 2018 Topo Active maps download (the red error during the install). Had my first Fenix 5X Plus 2 weeks ago, spoke with support and last week returned it to the shop and got a replacement. The second one had the same issue. So today I returned the second watch and got my THIRD watch, lol.

    BUT this time first got a back-up of the original maps and files on the watch and then ONLY updated the firmware and the other maps except the AU&NZ Topo map which is the 2017 version. So far happy with the watch and the 2017 Topo map. I wont update it until garmin fixes the issue with this map or garmin express.

    You to should be able to get replacement and suggest not to update the Topo map until this issue has been fixed.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Hi Jay, thanks for your reply. I wish I would have backed it up before hand - if only I knew. How large is the file? Unfortunately it was more than 2 weeks and so I could not return the watch to the shop. I will contact them and see if they can copy the file for me. Any chance you can upload it to dropbox or something? Would have though that Garmin could provide a download link for those of us having issues.