Fenix 5+ Keeps Saying It's Connected to External HR Monitor

I keep getting a message from my Fenix 5+ when turning it on/unplugging from charging, or going to do an activity that it's connected to External HRM. I don't have a sensor by that name, and when I check the one external HRM I have setup (the Garmin HRM Run strap), it shows that it's disconnected. It also is happening when I'm in my driveway, far away from my external HR straps, so there's no way it can access their signal, even if they were broadcasting (which they shouldn't be since I keep them off their straps).

I've basically ignored it, but today it also warned me that the battery was low in the device. I have no idea what's happening, but thought I'd post it here to see if anyone has any helpful advice.

I think I'll delete the pairing with my HRM Run strap and see if that helps.

Anyone seen this before?

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0 Former Member over 5 years ago

newbodies

never seen this before

that is an interesting behaviour

when it is connected and you go to the HR widget do you see a heart rate

report the about info from the sensor here

next time pair the sensor and disable it (check also bluetooth or ANT version)

is it another watch or treadmill sending HR data

someone lost a hr sensor

do a simpel restart by long press on the light button until your screen goes blank

happy & safe sensor hunting

0 newbodies over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

All good ideas. I've reset the device a few times, and done a few syncs w/ the USB cable. Also checked that the software is up-to-date. I do think this has only happened since 7.6.0 actually, so maybe it's a software bug. When I run next time, if it happens again, I'll delete the connection to the chest strap HRM Run unit to see if that helps.

When it says connected, there's no indication that something is connected (i.e., I go into sensors, check the only HR device showing other than wrist-based, and it says it's not connected).

It could be another device, but it's happening in places where there's definitely nothing else (on my driveway, too far for BT or ANT+ from any other devices to connect). I thought about some random sense sitting around that someone lost, but it happened in a hotel in another state, and then happened at my office in the basement of our building when I was getting my bike out of the bike locker. That last situation could have been another sensor since there are other bikes there (not that you'd have a heart rate monitor sitting on a bike rather than your body, but at least you could imagine there was one there).

Super weird!

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to newbodies

newbodies

Would be a good idea reporting it to Garmin Support by phone.

You could already delete your existing sensor and re-pair again.

Any fancy watchface or application active with running in the background capabilities.

Turn off phone connection as another test.

Use your phone when capable to search ANT or Bluetooth devices.

For android I use BLE Tool and ANT+ Plugin Sampler

happy & safe sensor hunting

0 newbodies over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

Great guidance!

I found it. It was my HRM Run sensor. It showed as connected this time, so I disconnected it. That doesn't explain some of the other situations where I didn't have the sensor with me at all, but at least it covers 90% of the time.

It is odd that it would connect when not hooked into a strap, and sitting in the same spot for days (and therefore, it shouldn't be active). I wonder if the strap needs a firmware update, too. Unfortunately, all this connecting and staying active means it needs a new battery much sooner than it should.

Thanks for all the tips. These are good points for anyone with sensor issues to know!

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to newbodies

newbodies

Indeed a real odd situation.

No harm done calling Garmin support and explaining your mishap.

Success with the sensor.

0 Jonathan.Farber over 2 years ago

I'm having the identical issue.

0 newbodies over 2 years ago

Just swapped my 5+ for a 6 Pro Solar, and same issue. It actually worked fine at first, but then has been unstable. I think it's actually worse than with the 5+, where I could use a foot pod and RD pod, but not HRM strap if I wanted headphones to work. Now, I can't even get away with the RD pod if I want music.

Such a shame