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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.
  • Just purchased a 5 plus and encountered the same problem, i.e. updated the Aus NZ Topo map and ended up with nothing.
    I'm now using a openstreet map but while we wait for a fix from Garmin was wondering if anyone can recommend a free map of Australia with contours?

  • Just purchased the 5X+ and have the same issue. Red box failed to upload keeps coming up on the AUS & NZ 2018.20. Will email them so they know its not isolated issue. Reset to factory setting and upload via Garmin Express fails everytime
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Yep, me too.. :( i am just packing for a trip, and thought id see if there was any updates for my watch, updated, failed, and now my OZ+ NZ maps are gone, and i can not get them back, JUST LET ME REINSTALL THE MAPS THAT CAME WITH MY WATCH!!
  • Having the same issue, have emailed Garmin also... Brand new 5X+.
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    C'mon Garmin, just roll back the previous version and leave it alone so we all have maps as per the device we purchased. For many of us that was the reason we made the purchase. .Seriously why is this such an issue? I have sent emails to support, had one reply aboy how to install the maps - i already know ho to do that. I sent 2 x subsequent emails and northing. Customer Suppoert is fast becoming an oxy moron!
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Same here... having the same issue with regard to installing the TopoActive AUS/NZ 2018.20 update... now I'm back to basicworldwide map. I just got my Fenix 5x Plus the other day. I phoned Garmin this morning and reported the issue since I still don't know that this is already happening. They asked me to check with other systemif it works and if not, I need to return the watch to retailerfor replacement. Tomorrow I will ring them again tomorrow. I thought it's just me.
  • Thank you for bringing this to our attention that some of you are still having issues with the map download. We are currently looking into this more but please make sure that you are on the latest software version for Garmin Express (6.12.0).
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    Thank you for bringing this to our attention that some of you are still having issues with the map download. We are currently looking into this more but please make sure that you are on the latest software version for Garmin Express (6.12.0).


    Thanks. Was on 6.11.0 and did a reinstall but still the same error in the UI, but no 403 forbidden in the logs like before.

    1. Deleted the old Maps folder under Application Support (OS X)
    2. Restarted iMac
    3. Opened Garmin Express 6.12.0 and removed the device and re-added it
    4. Tried to update but interface said there was an error installing the update

    Below are logs from where I hit "Install":

    2019-02-19 07.46.32 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | Install clicked
    2019-02-19 07.46.33 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | BFNavigationController - push UpdateIntroViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.33 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - unregister DashboardViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.33 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - unregister QueuePodViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.35 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - registering OperationQueueProxy at index 6
    2019-02-19 07.46.35 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | BFNavigationController - push UpdateWizardViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.35 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | BFNavigationController - init frame
    2019-02-19 07.46.35 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | NavigationController - init
    2019-02-19 07.46.35 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | NavigationController - set root PrepareUpdateViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.37 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | Percent Complete: 0.000000
    2019-02-19 07.46.37 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - registering PrepareUpdateViewController at index 7
    2019-02-19 07.46.37 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | Percent Complete: 0.000000
    2019-02-19 07.46.43 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | Navigation Bar - device updated: 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.43 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | MapUpdateEx Flow: UpdateGroup initWithCoder 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.44 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | Navigation Bar - device updated: 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.44 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | MapUpdateEx Flow: UpdateGroup initWithCoder 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | MapUpdateEx Flow: UpdateGroup initWithCoder 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | Percent Complete: 0.000000
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | Percent Complete: 100.000000
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | W | Preparing has failed exiting update wizard
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | NavigationController - pop to kind DashboardViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | BFNavigationController - pop to DashboardViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | BFNavigationController - displaying DashboardViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - registering DashboardViewController at index 8
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - registering QueuePodViewController at index 9
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - registering ConsentManager at index 10
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - unregister ConsentManager
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | MapUpdateEx Flow: UpdateGroup initWithCoder 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | QueuePodViewController - containerView set and pin: multiPromUpdatesAvailableView
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | MapUpdateEx Flow: UpdateGroup initWithCoder 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - unregister PrepareUpdateViewController
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | MapUpdateEx Flow: UpdateGroup initWithCoder 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | IPCClient - unregister OperationQueueProxy
    2019-02-19 07.46.45 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | MapUpdateEx Flow: UpdateGroup initWithCoder 3988203372
    2019-02-19 07.46.49 (GMT+11:00) | 775 | I | Navigation Bar - device updated: 3988203372
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    And so it continues. Thank you to all who have confirmed the same problem exists and reported it. More reports = more attention.

    Meanwhile I received another email this morning from support:

    "We have released an updated version of Garmin Express can we please get you update to the latest version and test.

    If the issue persists can we please get you to reply with updated Express logs..."

    Yet, after checking Garmin Express 6.12.0.0 is the latest version - no more updates available, so I wont be trying again and instead just re sending my logs.

    It could be so simple from what I can understand, provide a download link for the darn 2018.20 map and copy it to the Garmin Directory manually (or even via a self executing file). Why is this such an issue???
  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 6 years ago
    For the sake of giving them log files with the latest install fail info, I ran the updater again (while noticing file size had increased back to 2.2GB, yet did not re-download, just re-copied to device) which worked first time - yet maps on watch erased once again. Hit map options, reinstall - this time got the error: There was an error installing the update.

    Log File Error which stands out:

    ---> (Inner Exception #0) Garmin.Omt.Service.Operation.Map.InvalidMapInstallException: Could not determine where to install the map.

    You've got to be kidding me. Please don't tell me that it is this simple and has taken over 1 Month to resolve!!!