Related
Options
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Fenix 7X freezing/glitching when using flashlight outdoors in sunlight?

9417105
over 3 years ago

Just checking in to see if anyone else is having this issue or could confirm a possible bug. I've got a Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar that when I try to activate the flashlight outdoors during daytime (double taping the LIGHT button), it doesn't turn on the light and eventually (within 30 seconds or so), the whole watch locks up and requires a hard reboot. Sometimes the reboot isn't enough and the watch becomes stuck on a "FENIX 7X" wait screen indefinitely (at which point I will again hold the LIGHT button for 20 seconds to turn it off, wait some time, then push it to power on).

I think I've isolated the problem to operating the flashlight when the solar panel is being used to charge the device outdoors. Sure, why would I want to use the flashlight when I'm getting enough sunlight to charge the watch? I don't know. I don't think it should lock up like this though. When I restarted it, it also lost all my heartrate data but everything else (sleep, other data bars) were still there, oddly enough.

Anyone else experiencing anything like this? I've also tried navigating to the flashlight menu when outdoors and tapping on the brightness buttons for the white or red LED won't activate the light.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 3018367

    I'll test more as the battery level drops but I'm out in the sun with the solar working hard and first time ever I've been able to flick the LED light on and off without it crashing 

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

    Thanks Chris - we really appreciate your support V tone2

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to 3018367

    Just got 8.37 and seemed to work in the full sun. My battery is at 40%. I will try is some more with longer sun exposer. 

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Just tested with 8.37, went out turned the light on and the watched freezed. Then after powercycling it is working fine :) I'm so happy. Tested several times with the sun and a few powerful flashlights. Battery level 68%.

  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to fmercado

    UPDATED June 17th, 2022:

    We believe we have identified the cause of why the flashlight is freezing the watch. Our engineering team will fix the issue with a software update in Q3 2022.

    A workaround has been found. If your watch freezes turning on your flashlight while your watch is solar charging, place your watch in a drawer for 3-5 minutes in total darkness. Your watch should recover from the freezing event and will avoid either a hard reset or full reset.

    If you would like to been added to the tracking case for the issue, please highlight my name and send me a Private Message. Thank you!

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

    so far my watch is not freezing, even the first time (8.37). I have tried many times in bright sun light and with the GPS on and off. So far so good. The flashlight does come on correctly each time. Before it would not turn on, then freeze. 

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

    Me and two other people from the local forum confirm the absence of a freeze in the case described above. Thanks a lot!

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

    This happened to me once then I never dared to turn the light on before entering the dark area again. 

    Now with the update I tested it several times in the sun and it seems to work. No reset done. 

    Now please just fix that GPS while using widgets thing. 

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

    Not sure if this is a valid test since I never dared to turn on the flashlight when it's solar charging.

    Given that now reports are positive with 8.37, I gave it a try.

    Not a full blown sunny day today. I left it at the window sill for a couple of minutes and turned on the flashlight.

    It worked fine without freezing up.

  • 0 over 3 years ago

    Ok so I thought this was fixed.... BUT mine did just crash again.... had to take it back to the house plug a power cable in and reset it again.  

    SO it's better but not fixed!!!!!!!

    Strangely this time when it crashed and was stuck on the Fenix 7 screen, I could access some of the other functionality, I actually had to go an re select the default watch face to get the time to appear again.

    Just an absolute pain to know I can't rely on this thing!