Instinct battery icon always shows full

Former Member over 4 years ago

Garmin Instinct M/N A03603 (This should NOT be the solar model)

Software version 11.00 (ea425aa)

I got this watch on Oct 25th. I charged it once but it died on November 8th (2 weeks on a charge). The entire time it showed full battery. Obviously I would like to know how much charge my watch has remaining. I have recharged the watch but I don't know how many days I should expect before the battery icon should change to 80%.

Is this this a known bug? Is there a fix? Is it broken? Because if the hardware is broken I can exchange it but if it's a software issue then that won't help.

0 trux over 4 years ago

There is at least one other user having the same problem: https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/instinct/244371/battery-status-bar, but generally it works all right. It is not a common problem.

Try looking whether the testing mode works (as suggested in the other thread), and also have a look at the battery indicator in the ring when on the Menu screen (long press the left middle button). You could try resetting the watch, or trying to set the battery indicator to another field of the main screen - perhaps it can reset too. When nothing helps, I'd suggest contacting the Customer Support, or having the unit replaced at the reseller.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to trux

Thank you! I didn't see that thread.

0 Former Member over 4 years ago

you are not the only one, bro... I have had Instincts for longer and this issue started, propably with some update or such (my guess). After restart it shows real state of battery.

0 Cpf3 over 4 years ago

I've had a similar issue. A few days after a full charge, the battery display 'freezes'; shows the same power level (days & %). If I cycle the device off/on, it resets itself and shows a reduction that I estimate is about correct. Video here... https://youtu.be/6Lwc2Z5QPiA

It developed other issues and Garmin replaced it. The new on, however, is showing the same issue. I charged it on 3/22 and the power display dropped a bit every day for the next six days to, "19d/72%", on 3/29. It has not changed since then. I plan to just let it continue like this, logging the readout daily, until the battery dies. That will give me a good indication of its true battery life.

Is this a software issue? I don't know but my first one 'froze' at 21d/75% and this one at "19d/72%. That's pretty close together but a small sample...so far.