Fenix 6X Sapphire Boot Loop - Any new tipps?

Dear all,

my 2.25 year old Fenix 6X Sapphire froze on watch screen with 0 steps and no hand movement yesterday. I shut it down using Light (15s) and then it got stuck in the boot loop that has been discussed in other threads here as well. It alternates between the blue triangle and the Fenix (C) screen.

The following solutions did NOT work:

Back Button to reset: The reset screen pops up, but one cannot move to "Yes".
Start-Back-Down (Start to 1st beep, rest to second beep): Tried very very often, did not provide any change
Garmin Express: Finds the watch, but Shows Unit Id = 0 instead of serial number. Shows a message that it cannot connect to the Garmin server.
Garmin Webupdater: Finds the watch, Shows Unit Id = 0, assumes it has firmware 2.20. Starts an Update but responds with "Update file corrupted".

During the boot process, one can access the strange menu when pressing Down constantly, otherwise, it is stuck in the boot loop. So far, Garmin support does not provide any answers to my request nor is reachable. Located in Germany.

Any other things I could try? I did not perform an update, I did not have an active activity when it froze.

Thanks and best, Michael

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0 darnich over 3 years ago

Forcing a Garmin to mount as a drive

Ensure the battery is charged before completing the steps below.

Disconnect the Garmin from the computer and ensure the Garmin is powered off
Press and hold Start/Stop
Note: Press and hold GPS if you have an Instinct or Instinct Tactical
Plug the Garmin into the computer
Wait until the Garmin is recognized by the computer, it may take up to 45 seconds for the device to be recognized as a drive
- If prompted, install USB device drivers
Release Start/Stop
Note: Release GPS if you have an Instinct or Instinct Tactical

The watch should now function normally.

¹The D2 Delta Series, fenix 5 Plus Series, fenix 6 Series, quatix 6 Series, MARQ Collection, and tactix Delta will not mount as a drive on a Mac computer. They can still be used with Garmin programs and applications on a Mac.

0 Madcat207 over 3 years ago

So, there is a bigger running thread on this here:
https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-6-series/288712/garmin-fenix-6-not-working-gets-stuck-during-startup-only-shows-the-garmin-arrow-sign-which-flashes-briefly-from-time-to-time
In short, a recent update bricked several watches, to a degree Garmin has to replace them. Garmin did a replacement on my out of warranty watch with no complaints at all (and have refunded people with the same issue). Reach out to customer support and start the replacement process.

0 Former Member over 3 years ago in reply to Madcat207

Same here , I also got a new watch

0 Michael Glass over 3 years ago in reply to darnich

Thanks, I forgot to add that the watch will not show up as a drive in Windows and Mac. Tried eben after manually installing the Garmin drivers. Will only show as a device.

0 Michael Glass over 3 years ago in reply to Madcat207

Thanks a lot for pointing me to that thread. Customer support offered me the 190€ refurbish replacement and I answered them just now citing your thread. Keep fingers crossed and again, thanks a lot!

0 Madcat207 over 3 years ago in reply to Michael Glass

Absolutely. Noting that they have refunded (at least US support) people who had this issue before they owned up to it, i would absolutely push back on a free replacement. In my case, one chat with support got me a free RMA (the "refurb" watch looks brand new BTW), so i would absolutely push. This update screwed up lots of watches (in fact, i think i see another thread made on this subject)...

0 Michael Glass over 3 years ago

Just an update from my side: I pointed the Garmin support Germany to this thread and the other thread. They replied that they evaluated the case again but are not willing to provide a free replacement. So Garmin, what a great way to cash in another 190€ from a customer by bricking a device with your own software. I am more than angry at this point.