Fenix 6x Sapphire v26.00 backlight flickering and stops working

I took off my Fenix 6x Sapphire before bed last night and plugged it in for a charge. It started doing an update automatically, now it’s at V26.00, and now the backlight isn’t working properly. The backlight flashes on for a millisecond when first pressing the backlight button, but nothing after that.

I notice that if the Backlight ‘Not during activity’ setting is at 60% or greater the backlight comes on but it flickers, the greater the brightness the less flicker. But at 100% flickering is still noticeable. If it is set to 50% or below it won’t come on, it may flash a little but the watch isn’t readable.

It’s like the watch CPU is too busy to keep the backlight at it’s set brightness.

Any ideas on how to fix the backlight? Off/on has been tried.

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0 8151293 over 2 years ago

You aren't the only one.

My Fenix 6 backlight also stopped working altogether after this update.

+1 Seddoner over 2 years ago

Now my backlight has stopped working, but it comes on when adjusting the backlight level in the settings. If I set it to 70% in the settings, it adjusts to70% but then goes off after the setting is saved and never comes on again, until I go back into the settings again.

0 Dieselshed over 1 year ago

Fenix 6X also now has flickering backlight after update to V26.00. I’m certain it’s software not hardware - too much coincidence that several watches all start flickering after an update ?

0 LMOrunner over 1 year ago

Not having that issue on the 6S

0 aminator09 over 1 year ago

Mine is having the same issue. it just stopped working. checked all my settings and still nothing. its getting kind of frustrating. is Garmin pushing everyone to buy newer watches? GARMIN any updates on this!!???

0 Dr Phil over 1 year ago in reply to aminator09

aminator09 said:
GARMIN any updates on this

Contact Garmin Support directly

+1 Garmin - Chris over 1 year ago in reply to aminator09

aminator09 said:
GARMIN any updates on this!!???

I am sorry you have a hardware failure. Please reach out to Outdoor Product Support in your region to discuss your options.

0 Seddoner over 1 year ago in reply to aminator09

My backlight stopped working after it only worked for a day or two (with flickering) when settings at 100% brightness.

I contacted Garmin Support and sent it in to be fixed. I had a replacement sent out under warranty even though it was 12 months out of warranty. It was very helpful service, thanks Garmin!

0 cdzero over 1 year ago

I had a conversation with Garmin today thinking that the flickering issue could be software related. After having me do a master reset of the watch and seeing that it did not fix the problem, the technician concluded that it was hardware failure. I am very disappointed that such and expensive watch has failed in such a short time. I would have understood if it was a bug in the software but not a problem with expensive hardware that has not been abused. They told me that it would be $180 to send in for replacement. I own the Fenix 6x Pro. Crazy how you can go from defending the company against all your Apple iWatch wearing friends, to a sheepish... "I should have listened to you and get the Apple watch". There you have it... If you want your backlight working again, let Garmin stick their hand in your pocket for a second time.

0 aminator09 over 1 year ago in reply to cdzero

Well that doesn't make sense. I had my backlight flicker for a bit then stop working completely. I contacted product support and they sent me a replacement refurbished watch for free. I have the 6x pro sapphire and I've owned it since 2018. So not sure why you're paying for a replacement. I had a great experience with them and it took less then a month for it to arrive, plus they covered the shipping cost of the return