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Fenix 3 HR gps not working

Former Member
Former Member over 4 years ago

Hi guys,

sorry if I post an issue here relevant to Fenix 3, but there is no another place for it (no group for Fenix 3 ...).

I can't connect GPS anymore with my Fenix 3 since few months. If I start an activity with GPS, the GPS bar stays red and it doesn't connect to satellites. Before now, I connected GPS with saltellites in few seconds without any problem.

I tried everything (I suppose):

- with or without Glonass

- soft reset (off / on)

- sync with Connect app

- sync with Garmin Express

- hard reset (factory restore)

- connected with PC, deleted folder Remotesw in Garmin, disconnected, connected again and synched with Garmin Express; Garmin Express re-builds Remotesw folder with EPO.BIN file inside

Nothing. GPS does not work.

Software version in the watch: 5.60

Screen 3.70

GPS 3.30

BLE/ANT 3.60

wifi 2.40

CIQ 1.4.5

WHR 2.90

After all these attempts, EPO status in the watch is "Set time".

Thank you very much for your help. 

A.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to 1077609

    There is no support email address on the website and their phone number just says the office is closed due to COVID, so I don't know how to get in touch with them.  I presume I need an RMA to send it back under warranty.

  • 0 over 4 years ago in reply to AndyY

    I am also having the same issue. Mine's a fenix 3 HR Sapphire, bought new in July 2018. GPS stopped connecting about a year ago, just prior to the 5.6 update. It behaves similar to your experience. All the same software versions as you and the OP. I just left it alone until now, trying to troubleshoot it to see if I have to purchase a new watch. Also get all zeros in the GPS test when in diagnostic mode. EPO status is still "Set TIme" despite manually deleting it and rebuilding it with Garmin Express. No other hardware issues. Have tried all the same steps as listed above in the OP. Going to order a new GPS antenna to see if that fixes anything. Will try to remember to update if I do have any luck.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Same issue here. I've tried the soft and hard reset, connecting to Garmin Connect through Android device and Macbook, and nothing. I see that Garmin Connect with Macbook creates an EPO.bin file but it is removed when the device is unplugged from the computer. For example:

    - EPO status "Set time"

    - Connect to the Macbook (without starting Garmin Connect) --> REMOTESW folder is empty

    - Start Garmin Connect and sync -> REMOTESW folder has a EPO.bin file

    - Eject and unplug the watch

    - EPO status "Set time"

    - Connect to the Macbook again and REMOTESW is empty

    Also, I tried  to start the device in test mode and GPS Full is always 0.0.

    I don't know if it is a hardware problem, but disappearing the EPO.bin file seems a software bug/issue.

    Any idea?

  • +1 over 3 years ago in reply to sbareac

    There hasn't been a Fenix 3 HR software update in quite some time. Unfortunately, I am really sorry, your watch is failing.

    You can try a full master reset:

    - How to Reset My Garmin Outdoor Watch

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to sbareac

    I eventually got through to the Garmin helpdesk and they accepted that it was a hardware fault.  Luckily, I was about two weeks inside my two year warranty so I sent the faulty one back and they sent me a new (refurbished) one. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to Garmin - Chris

    I already did it with no success

  • +1 over 3 years ago in reply to sbareac

    I am really sorry you cannot get your GPS to function again on your Fenix 3 HR watch. You can reach out to your regional Garmin Outdoor Product Support team to see if there is a rebuilt Fenix 3 HR you can purchase in exchange for your watch or buy a new watch.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to sbareac

    My EPO.bin is still present after rebuilding it using Garmin Connect. Still stuck on "Set time" and get 0.0 for my GPS in test mode. Ended up purchasing a new GPS antenna and replaced it. This didn't help either. Just going to keep an eye out for other watch brands, as 3 years doesn't seem like a great life span for a $1000+ watch.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member over 3 years ago

    still no one found a solution? Not even with a downgrade? 

  • +1 over 3 years ago in reply to Former Member

    Please note that when you can no longer acquire GPS on your Fenix 3/HR watch, the full reset noted above is the last resort step that you can try. Also, all of the troubleshooting steps noted by this original thread poster are solid on exactly what troubleshooting steps you should try before the full reset is tried last.