Wi-Fi broken by firmware update 12.50?

I have been successfully using the Wi-Fi connection of my fenix 5 Sapphire for the last 18 months.

However, syncing now constantly fails with:

Connection failed. Try again.

I'm also unable to browse for other networks, the watch stating:

No Wi-Fi Networks Found

This issue seems to have coincided with the firmware upgrade to 12.50, although this may be a coincidence. Whilst the update was installed automatically via Wi-Fi, I did need to subsequently use Garmin Express to update the sensor hub to 6.50.

Can any fenix 5 Sapphire owners confirm that Wi-Fi still works for them post the update to 12.50?

Also, what is your Wi-Fi firmware version? Mine is currently at 2.40.

I have spent hours trying to resolve the issue. Despite me having made no changes to my router prior to the onset of the issue, I performed a factory reset on it. I have always had uniquely named SSIDs for 2.4GHz and 5GHz.

I have also tried changing encryption and specifying various fixed channels. I don't think the issue is with my router as all other devices continue to connect and I'm also unable to see any of my neighbours' routers from the watch.

I have attempted to delete and re-add the connection from the watch menu, from Garmin Connect Mobile and from Garmin Express.

I don't think there is a hardware issue as twice I have managed to connect. Once following a change to the Wi-Fi channel and the second immediately following a factory reset of the watch.

Finally, I have also tried reinstalling 12.50 via Garmin WebUpdater.

Would really appreciate any advice before I connect Garmin Support.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Working fine here now :-)

0 janhuniche over 6 years ago

Now Wi-Fi transfer also working fine here :-)

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Fenix 5s here. Still unable to sync wirelessly. I've deleted and redownloaded Garmin connect, unpaired and re-paired the watch to Garmin Connect, and done a factory reset of the watch with a fresh download of Garmin Connect. Is my move here just to sync via USB and Garmin connect desktop version until the new software update rolls out? Any other fixes to try? Hoping to have everything updated and ready for a trail trip Friday AM.

0 mpvaughan over 6 years ago

Fenix 5s here. Still unable to sync wirelessly. I've deleted and redownloaded Garmin connect, unpaired and re-paired the watch to Garmin Connect, and done a factory reset of the watch with a fresh download of Garmin Connect. Is my move here just to sync via USB and Garmin connect desktop version until the new software update rolls out? Any other fixes to try? Hoping to have everything updated and ready for a trail trip Friday AM.

Same here (see original post for the steps I've taken). I suspect there are two issues: one with the Garmin Wi-Fi servers and another maybe with the latest firmware. Seems the former has been at least partially fixed as owners of various watch models (including the 935) are reporting their issue is resolved.

The other (remote) possibility is that the issue is linked to watch serial number. For example, watches are directed to specific servers based upon ranges of serial numbers, maybe for different models. And only some of these servers are experiencing problems.

I recall such an issue with the spurious enabling of elevation correction in Garmin Connect which impacted only some fenix 5 watches (including mine). This was due to the serial numbers not being aligned to the correct model of watch (meaning the Garmin servers determined there was no barometer).

0 mpvaughan over 6 years ago

I upgraded to firmware 13.00 via Garmin Express and was still unable to sync via Wi-Fi. I then deleted and re-added the connection for my router. Since then (last 2 days), I have been able to successfully sync via Wi-Fi.

Hope this helps anyone who is still experiencing problems...