Fenix 5 not recognized by PC (Windows 10)

Since a few weeks, I have a problem with my Fenix 5. When I connect it to a computer (Windows 10), the watch is not recognized as a device (i.e. does not show up at all in the Explorer) - its also not shown in connected USB devices.

It does charge however. Tried on three different computers with two different cables....

Its not a problem for now as luckliy I can still cahrge the watch, however it would be nice so I can put beta firmwares on it (and sometimes I also put courses / swim workouts directly on the watch).

Any idea? Or is this directly a Garmin support issue?

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0 TrippyZ over 4 years ago

How do the pins look?

0 sschoell over 4 years ago in reply to TrippyZ

Normal. Not corroded for sure...

0 razmichael over 4 years ago

Check the mode: System->Settings->USB Mode and make sure it is in Mass Storage not Garmin. Don't see how/why this would have changed a few weeks ago but just in case ...

0 sschoell over 4 years ago in reply to razmichael

Unfortunately this was not it. mode was set to mass storage all along...

0 tickerguy over 4 years ago

Does it "bing" (does the computer chime) when connected? If so then the connection is visible to the machine but no good. Take a pencil eraser and clean the contacts on the back of the watch and see if that helps.

If it doesn't "bing" at all then it's not seeing it at all. Assuming both cables are not defective (possible but not likely) and you've tried multiple machines it's looking like the watch itself has a problem internally.

0 sschoell over 4 years ago in reply to tickerguy

yes, it does "bing" but tells me the device is not recognized (exclamation mark)...will try and clean the contacts.

0 sschoell over 4 years ago in reply to sschoell

After cleaning the contacts: no change. They looked good though...

Oh well...I guess then its off to Garmin after my holidays. Luckily the watch is still charging.

0 iamgreenman over 4 years ago

I have had the same issue with Windows 10 for a long while now, not sure why or how it started, however I have found away to get around it that works with all my Garmin devices. This is going to get weird but stick with me on this.

1) Open Garmin Express and let the app run in the background

2) Connect your favorite Garmin device via USB to your PC, I found plugging in the USB cable and then attaching the device to the cable works best.

3) Wait a few seconds, and yes nothing will happen I know and Garmin Express will show no devices connected thats fine.

4) Next, open Control Panel (has to be the control panel you can search for it as well) and select Devices and Printers from the Hardware and Sound group.

5) Look under the devices sections and you will see at least 1 USB mass storage device shown as an icon in the list, right click on the USB mass storage icon and simply click the properties sub context menu.

6) Once the properties menu opens after a few seconds this will kick Windows into recognizing the device as a storage device and it will show up in Garmin Express as connected and in Windows explorer as a storage device.

Its almost like you need to give the PC a kick start to recognize the device, again I am no programmer this is what has worked for me so far on every device with Windows 10.

Hope this helps.

0 Tom.Alf over 4 years ago

Same issue for me.

I think it might be because of the firmwares since 13.00

It worked for me before this version on my fenix 5S. But since, Huge battery drain and the watch can't be seen by computers. (cf : https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-5-series/155213/battery-issue-known-bug)

Hope we'll get a new firmware soon, fixing this issues

0 Former Member over 4 years ago in reply to Tom.Alf

Sometimes I get the beep and Windows 10 says connected and will try to sync and say synced but will then say syncing and the bar won't move. At other times I will plug in my Fenix 5 and it will say not connected. If I hold the power button on the watch until it resets that helps Windows recognize the watch most of the time but the sync problem still exists. Last thing Do I need to eject my watch before I unplug it from Windows 10 and would this cause problems?