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Sound issues on BT headphones after update to 21.19 (level, alerts, volume control, volume imbalance)

SOCEB
12 days ago

After updating to 21.19:

  • The watch app’s volume control shows only a blue circle. Pressing + or - changes volume in small steps, but there’s no visual feedback.
  • When connecting to Huawei FreeBuds via Bluetooth, the right earbud is almost silent; only the left plays sound. Restarting the watch fixes this until the next disconnect/reconnect.
  • Playing an internal mp3 after pairing starts at maximum, painfully loud volume.
  • Voice alerts in the headphones are extremely loud and cannot be lowered. They overpower the music and are very uncomfortable. Music volume can be adjusted on the watch (with limited visual feedback, as explained), but voice alert volume cannot. Changing the iPhone app’s speaker volume or restarting the watch does not help. Why is there no separate volume control for voice alerts over Bluetooth headphones? Using English US - female voice.

Any suggestions? Corrections expected?

Thank you for support.

  • 0 11 days ago

    also go to support in your country and report to them for a fix ...

  • 0 11 days ago

    Ditto. Same on Fenix 7 Solar and Epix Gen2 Solid blue ring. Volume unable to be adjusted on watch.

  • 0 11 days ago in reply to PhilMcFarland

    Hello. I am sorry to hear you are having this issue. I would love to help investigate this further. 

    • If you have not already, I would recommend a powercycle on the watch. For this, hold the Light button, then select power off. And power on again. 
    • Ensure the watch is on the latest SW version 21.19 with Garmin Express. 
    • It this continues, I would recommend reinstalling the software version using these steps: 
    1. Hold the Menu button
    2. Scroll down and select System
    3. Scroll down and select About
    4. Press the button roughly 8 times
    5. Select Reinstall software

    If this issue continue, I would like to collect the device of this concern. For this, I will reach out to each of your via Private Message. If you are still experiencing this, please feel free to reply. 

  • 0 11 days ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    Thanks for your reply. As mentioned, I already restarted the watch (powered it off and on), but the issue remains. The version shown in Garmin Express is 21.19, same as on the About screen.

    I reinstalled the software as instructed, which took about 10 minutes. After the restart, I opened the sound app and played the last song, which was still available. This time, the earbuds played at the previously set volume. However, the volume control still shows a full blue circle and doesn’t respond to + or – inputs, although the volume changes in very small increments.

    But then, I turned off and turned on the watch again, to re-check the behavior. This time again, the sound started at maximum loudness! So the issue persists, with the side-note that both earbuds start at the same level this time, not imbalanced between left and right volume (that issue seems absent now).

    I couldn’t test the alerts due to the time of day, but I’ll check after my next activity. I have the feeling that issue will persist as well. If needed, feel free to contact me via private message to look into it further.

    Thanks again for looking into this.

  • +1 4 days ago in reply to SOCEB

    Update June 5, 2025: 

    Our engineers are aware of a concern that may prevent the controls on the watch from functioning, for things such as volume. This is a software related concern. So if you are experiencing this, you watch does not need to be replaced. They are expecting to have this resolved with a software release, as early as mid-late June. 

  • 0 2 days ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    I’m currently running fw 22.03, and have the same issues. Using Spotify on watch and connecting to Airpods which started blasting (from previous session) on maximum volume. My ears are ringing, but I manage to reduce the volume to almost minimum setting to have it somewhat low enough for it not to be painful. I start my run on the watch, and the voice announcer is then yelling on maximum volume into my ringing ears, and I have to toss out my airpieces because of the sharp pain. The volume is dangerously loud!

  • 0 1 day ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    Looking forward to the firmware official announcement.

  • 0 1 day ago in reply to 6240234

    A separate volume control for voice prompts is essential for mixing with music or podcasts. It’s hard to understand how this was overlooked, especially with prompts playing at maximum volume, loud enough to cause huge discomfort, possibly even long-term hearing damage. Garmin, please, this needs to be fixed!

  • 0 11 hours ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    I just got an epix Pro Gen 2 Saphire 51mm  and have not been able to adequatly pair with my airpods yet. I am running v. 22.03, and I do get the blue circle that does adjust the volume , + and _ both work and I can see the circle increase and decrease with pressing the buttone. BUT the volume is not loud at it loudest. No where near in comparison to when it is paired with the iphone. I did the cold boot/reset. and that did fix the volume control where I can see the increase and decrease but it is still not at a suitable level for running on the road. It seems like there is a volume governor set at 50% somewhere.