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Epix 16.22 has broken the watch

marcpeace
over 1 year ago

Hi,

Seems my watch upgraded to 16.22 a day or so ago, and now it crashes any time it tries to record any activity - no way to get it back except for a reset.

I did manage to record one activity, so I thought it was fixed, but crashed on the saving screen - managed to sync after a reset but it lost the last part of the ride.

I can't follow any instructions to fix as any button presses cause the watch to freeze. Is there any cure or is my watch bricked?

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I would try connecting the watch over the USB cable to a computer with Garmin Express, and check for updates there, just in case some parts of the firmware are not installed yet (yes, the firmware often comes in several parts). If it does not help, then perhaps the "unprompted reset" could do. Reinstalling the firmware would be another operation to try. See the instructions in the thread https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-7-series/362033/fenix-7-heart-rate-not-detected/1738873#1738873

    And if nothing of it helps, then you'll probably have to reach out to the Product Support.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    My watch runs good on 15.77. I have auto update off and won’t upgrade until they fix these problems. I’ve learned from experience. GL with your problem.

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I have the exact same problem. The watch runs without problem until I start an activity. Then the watch crashes after a few seconds almost every time. I have performed hard resets several times, no luck with that. I have to leave the watch in the drawer and use an old one until this bug is fixed. From now on I will never ever again do an auto update. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    So I tried a few reset, factory reset, plug in with USB - but it keeps freezing till after about 20 minutes it'll reboot. Called their help support and went through everything with them and they suggested I switch it out for a new/reconditioned one - so looks like the new software really does brick the watch.

    Got my old fenix up and running for skiing next week, hopefully get the new one when I get back......I'm going to miss the colourful screen...

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    I got the update offered the day it came out and did a reset after the update as I always do.. As of now I did 3 activities without issues. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    Same problem. Happened during run at 12,7k and then again at 14,3. Fortunately, after having pressed the up/ down buttons some times, the watch rebooted, and had saved most of the exercise, and could continue from about the time/distance where it locked up. I have had the watch for around 6 months, and this has never happened before 16.22. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago

    After I got the replacement - it worked great for two days! Good job on getting a totally new (refurbished watch).

    However, it did an automatic update overnight and it's bricked the second unit. So changing the hardware doesn't work - I tried updating it to the new beta firmware 17.12, but that has the same issue so looks like the watch will be broken for a while yet.

    Anyone know how to downgrade to version 15 when it used to work? I guess it's either this or trying to get a refund :-(

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to marcpeace

    Just a question. You're still in the warranty time and Garmin doesn't give you a new watch?

    They replace it with a refurbished one? Well, that's something I wouldn't accept and I assume that's illegal at least in germany.

  • +1 over 1 year ago in reply to Garmin Bug

    Update April 23, 2024

    Our engineers believe they may have identified the route cause of this concern. They have found that this appears to be related to a bug with the Solar widget on the watch face. They are working on a software update to resolve this. In the mean time, they are recommending changing the watch face to exclude the solar data. 

    If you do this, they would love to receive feedback as to whether this does or does not resolve this for you. Feel free to reply here, or contact me via Private Message. 

    Correction: The above solution is only effective for the Tactix 7 Solar editions. Engineers are still investigating solutions for reboot, crash, and freezing on the Epix gen 2 and Fenix 7 series. 

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    My watch is an Epix Gen 2 (non pro) and does not have solar, and there is no solar watch face present. A few friends also have the non solar watches that are also experiencing the crash.

    Another I know have the issue with Fenix S (solar) - so I can ask them to check if this helps.

    Is the code for solar present on the firmware for watches without the solar ability?