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GARMIN! Your solution for the boot loop does not work on Descent MK3i

Milosherman
4 months ago

Garmin, your proposed solution for the boot loop does not work!

I can eventually, after several trials, turn off the unit. Then I try to do a hard reset, but it does not work. The watch just goes into a boot loop again… Please come up with a solution that works for Descent Mk3i.

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to 5039005

    My watch was not affected, but I deleted the file this morning and made a test GPS activity this evening just an hour ago. No problem

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to 5039005

    What I'd really appreciate from Garmin is some way to assure that once my restore has completed, I'm in the clear.  What I don't know is whether my backup contains the corrupted file.  I see instructions for using MacDroid to inspect files on my watch, but it's $20 to actually use it for deleting a file.  Ideally we should see Garmin also issue a software update so that devices are more resilient to a corrupted GPS file.  Already I had learned to never take a software update while on a dive trip, but it appears that this GPS file update would happen anyway if my paired phone had any sort of connection, which can happen briefly sometimes when you sail past an island with a cell tower.

  • +1 4 months ago in reply to 5039005

    Updated January 30, 2025:

    I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with the watch. 

    We are aware of an issue that may cause the watch to be stuck in a boot loop. Our engineers are working on a solution for this. In the mean time, you can try these steps to get the watch working again:

    Windows:

      1. These steps will require the following to complete:
        You will need to install Garmin Express to your computer.
        Power/data cable for your watch.
        Open Garmin Express on your computer.

      2. Connect Descent Mk3i to computer.

      3. Wait for the watch to reboot and immediately press and hold the start/stop key when you see the blue triangle.

      4. Continue to hold the start/stop button for 10 seconds then release the button.

      5. Wait 30 seconds for Garmin Express to find the device.

      6. From the computer locate the Garmin drive and select the Garmin folder.

      7. Locate the RemoteSW folder and delete the contents inside the folder.

      8. Disconnect the watch from the computer.

    For Mac users:

     

    For a device to enter MTP mode users would need a plug-in like:  https://openmtp.ganeshrvel.com/

    Specific steps on mounting the F7/Epix Pro:

     

    1. Open Garmin Express on your computer.

    2. Connect Descent Mk3i to computer.

    3. Wait for the watch to reboot and immediately press and hold the start/stop key when you see the blue triangle.

    4. Continue to hold the start/stop button for 10 seconds then release the button.

    5. Wait 30 seconds for Garmin Express to find the device.

    6. Once the watch is recognized, you will need to force quit Garmin Express

    7. Select Apple Menu>Force Quit>Garmin Express>Force Quit

    8. Locate the Garmin folder in the OpenMTP program. If you do not see the folder, try selecting the refresh option in the program.

    9. Within the Garmin folder locate the RemoteSW folder.

    10. Delete any .bin files located inside the RemoteSW folder.

    11. Disconnect the watch from the computer.

    12. The watch should reboot and start up normally. We suggest that you now sync your watch with either the Garmin Connect app, or Garmin Express.

    If these steps do not resolve this issue, please contact Garmin Product support. 

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    Thanks for the advice Laurie

    I apologise in advance if you are not employed by Garmin but if you are, then please take this message to your management/superiors.

    Unfortunately this 'fix' doesn't work for me or my Descent Mk3i.  I have tried all of the suggested solutions that I have been able to find on the internet but sadly I still have a piece of junk that cost me £1400.  I bought the Mk3i in good faith and Garmin decided to update it without asking me.  As a result of your unsolicited update, I now find myself to be the (not very) proud or happy owner of a totally useless piece of metal and glass.

    Whilst I understand that you are constantly striving to improve your products and that, in so doing  you need to issue updates, please do not lose sight of the fact that the end users (your customers) have come to rely on your products and failures such as this are not merely inconvenient.

    I have noticed that Garmin was just about the last organisation to acknowledge the massive problem that we (the user community) are wrestling with at the moment.  This is your product so you should be looking for ways to get ahead the issue and you have very clearly failed on this score.

    I would urge to take proper control of this situation and as the design authority, issue definitive guidance for how the problem can be solved for each product.

  • 0 4 months ago

    I did what the official support told us. I was able to connect to Garmin Express on my Mac, and now my Descent just switched off and won’t turn on again. What should I do to fix it? I’m on a diving vacation, and you ruined my trip!

  • 0 4 months ago

    Can someone describe how this problem occurs to begin with? Is it after powering that it can't power on again? I haven't encountered it yet on my watch and now I have anxiety about it.

    Edit: Nevermind. I guess I need to start a GPS activity.

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to Hobbit.cmp
    Hobbit.cmp said:
    I did what the official support told us. I was able to connect to Garmin Express on my Mac, and now my Descent just switched off and won’t turn on again.

    I am very sorry to hear your watch is not powering on at all. Especially that this occurred while you are traveling. I would recommend trying a factory reset, while connected to the power cable. 

    1. Ensure the watch is powered off.
      • You may need to hold LIGHTfor up to 30 seconds to turn the watch off.
    2. Press and hold BACK and START/STOP.
    3. Press LIGHT to power the watch on while holding these two buttons.
    4. After the first beep release START/STOP.
    5. After the second beep release the remaining button.

    If there is no change, I would recommend contacting Garmin Product support to discuss next steps. 

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    Yes I tried it, they did not switch on. 
    how can I find Garmin Product support?