Garmin Fenix 6 not working; gets stuck during startup, only shows the "garmin arrow" sign which flashes briefly from time to time.

My Fenix6 Sapphire went into a boot loop this last night/this morning.  This is after I got 20.50 a few weeks ago and started to see the watch decline (bad battery), maps not loading, and ultimately Freezing.  I hooked it up to Garmin Express last night - and it failed.  Its been bootlooping since. 

I used this link - https://support.garmin.com/en-US/ql/?focus=topics   and selected the 6x Sapphire - then selected CHAT

I was able to get a Rep right away - and they set me up with an exchange, to which I had to pay over $200 USD.  I'm not very happy that the watch declined so quickly after the 20.50 update and now I'm seeing several others with these exact symptoms after getting the 20.50 update (or shortly thereafter).  Im not very happy about having to pay over $200 for a potentially refurbished watch after an update that they pushed killed the watch. 

---Troubsleshooting steps for Performing an unprompted master reset:
Ensure the watch is powered off.
Press and hold the Down, Start, and Back buttons.
Power the device on while holding these buttons.
After the first beep release the Start button.
After the second beep release the remaining buttons.

I should add that my watch was STOCK - and has been since the first few days I got it (almost 2 years ago).  I do not use any apps from the store and I was using one of the stock "dial" faces.   

I have not even really "used" the watch in the last few months because of an injury - so it it used as a literal "dumb" watch. 

Thanks, I found the chat in the meantime :) 

Those troubleshooting steps did not help me, I don't even hear anything like a "beep"... 

I might get "in trouble" for posting 2x, but wanted to raise awareness - and since I cannot directly reply to you, I will re-post here...I hope you find my comments useful:

 just saw that Garmin is releasing 20.60 and addresses:

Change Log

Added prompt to reboot if GPS is unresponsive.
Fixed an intermittent issue where the device would continue to power cycle repeatedly.

I, as well as the OP had the same issues.  Garmin replaced my watch and charged me approx $200USD.  

I'm now convinced that 20.50 broke my original watch - as my watch on 20.50 would freeze..and I'd have to reboot.  Finally after a few days, and after a Garmin Express PC sync - the watch went into an unrecoverable reboot loop. 

I do not think that it is appropriate that a FW update they pushed caused symptoms that this new 20.60 FW specifically addresses.  Looks like I have a few emails to write. 

Had the same problem today, did Chat with support, already sending my watch back and they will be sending a new one.   Support was great and no hassles.  

Did you have to pay for the replacement?

Mine was 6 days out of warranty but gave me a courtesy replacement, probably saw my other 9 devices I own. 

So, my 6x Solar died in the same way last month,  and had mostly written it off. Saw this thread today, specifically about the new firmware and just made it a point to contact support as suggested.  

Support gave mme some grief for not contacting them earlier when it first died, but offered a replacement at no cost! Shipping covered both ways,  but you can pay for expedited if you want. Just dropped my watch off and now the wait begins! Even worse, I leave for a trip on the 15th... sigh..

I'm sure it didnt hurt :)   - Thank you for the information.  I look to speak with a representative at my next available opportunity.  I had a very nice experience when I first reported the issue with my first 6X, and I understood that I was out of warranty, so to hand over $200 hurt, but I have been very happy with the replacement.  However, seeing that they are updating the FW to address the very symptom that the previous FW introduced, leaves me a bit salty. I'm hoping that my next call to them will be smooth. 

I'm glad the thread bump caught your attention.  I'm happy that Garmin took care of you.  I'm hold with them now. 

Hopefully they make it right for you.  Ironically, it was the possible cost of $200 that i didnt bother with it at first; figured i might just save up for the 7X (or something else).  But for $1.90 (cost of a padded envelope), i couldn't say no.

Please update us if you have any news!