fēnix 5s Plus will not boot past logo screen. Cannot perform unprompted hard reset.

Former Member over 4 years ago

As in the title. I've only had the watch for a couple years and had virtually no issues up until a couple of days ago. Initially, the bluetooth connection just kept dropping and reconnecting rapidly (as in, every 5-7 seconds the notifications would swap between "--" and "0", and it would give me the "disconnected"/"reconnected" alert and buzz). I powered it off to attempt to fix the issue and get a solid reconnect. Removed the remembered bluetooth connection from my phone. Powered the watch back on.

And....

Now, the device hangs at the logo screen. It doesn't show up as a device when plugged into the computer. It doesn't even show that it's charging when plugged into a computer.

I decided to perform a factory reset, HOWEVER:

When attempting to perform the unprompted master reset,

Ensure the watch is powered off
Press and hold the Down, Start, and Back buttons
Power the device on while holding these buttons
After the first beep release the Start button
After the second beep release the remaining button.

I don't actually get a beep to let me know when to release the Start button. It just hangs silently, indefinitely, while I'm sitting there holding down three buttons.

Am I SOL, or is there anything I can do to rescue this watch? It hasn't gotten wet, or dropped, or really otherwise abused in any way whatsoever. Nothing that I can see that would cause it to act like this.

0 Data over 4 years ago

Unless someone knows a different procedure to do a thorough reset.. I can only say what I would do if it were my watch.. I would let the watch charge for some 8 hours on a USB charger and cable that are both known to be good.

If fail: Even if out of warranty, I'd call Garmin Service, for advice and to get the price for out of warranty repair. Next I'd try to get some better arrangement.

If fail: (I do not advise this, it's just what I would do) study videos of people repairing a Fenix 5 Plus, get the tools and isopropyl alcohol ready, check inside if anything is obviously loose, broken or dirt got in, esp. the buttons. If no, and still dead, I'd study how to isolate what module it could be, then get that module or a broken 'donor' watch. As always, I'd be real careful with the charged battery, and neither success nor cost-effectiveness are guaranteed.

0 Lauicku over 4 years ago

Try Performing a Master Reset

Ensure watch is powered off
Press and hold Back/Lap
Power on watch while continuing to hold Back/Lap
Release Back/Lap button once "Clear user data?"message appears
Select Yes

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to Lauicku

I can’t even run an unprompted master reset. A promoted master reset definitely isn’t getting me anywhere either, since the prompt never comes up because it won’t boot past the logo, but I did try that earlier. Thanks though!

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to Data

Interestingly (it’s done this twice now) when it hits 100% charge, it starts vibrating and doesn’t stop or do anything else until you force it to power down with the light/power button. Until that point, there’s no way to know how full the battery is, because it never moves past the logo screen at any point until 100%.

I’ll call Garmin Support, I suppose. And start looking for a parts watch.

0 Data over 4 years ago in reply to Former Member

Yes, give it at least a try with Support. They may recognize these symptoms.

Just one thought, if you haven't tried it yet.. does it go into test mode? When powered off, press and hold LIGHT and DOWN simultaneously, then release LIGHT when the triangle appears.