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Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar (button issues, mainly the "Back" button)

2371931
over 2 years ago

Hi,

I am wondering if this is a Fenix 7 issue or something not that common. How many Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar owners have issues with the Back button and sometimes with other buttons as well (for example when I wanted to turn it off, it was sending the emergency message to my contact, and could not cancel it due to the back button was not responsive at all.)

The story:

- I bought a Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar in September (replacing my Fenix 5)

- Back button stopped working after 2 weeks

- Got a replacement but in mid-January, the back button stopped working, got my 3rd watch

- After 3 days (and one swim), the back button is dead again

I am using it mainly for swimming (3-4 times/ week in the pool and 2x/week in the sea) and for other sports on the weekends. My assumption is that there is something to do with the sea swims, cause other swimmers with Fenix 7 do not have this issue.

Any help or feedback is appreciated cause it started driving me crazy.

  • 0 7 months ago

    I am experiencing this exact same issue with the Fenix 7 Pro SS

  • +1 7 months ago in reply to Felipe

    Hello, I am sorry to hear you are having this issue. For this, I would recommend trying the following steps: 

    • Ensure the watch is on the latest SW version. For this, you can use Garmin Express.
    • Try cleaning the buttons. For this:

      1. Submerge the watch in warm clean fresh water
      2. Allow this to soak for 10 minutes
      3. Remove from the water and press the buttons repeatedly

    If the issue continues, you will want to contact Garmin Product support, as the watch will likely need to be replaced. 

  • 0 7 months ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    Thanks !

    I have already followed those instructions with no success(and to be honest, I think most people commenting in the threads related to this problem have also done so). Since I bought the watch in the US, I will be able to replace it only next year when I will be in the United States again.

    At least Garmin offered me a replacement even after the warranty expires.

    I really like the watch, but once I get the replacement I will not be using it for swimming again. Maybe some day(when Fenix 10 is out) I will try a Fenix 8 with the new leakproof buttons.

  • 0 25 days ago

    Same. Fenix 7 Pro Saphire Solar - down button stopped working after only 1 year. Already tried cleaning and soaking and reset. Extremely disappointing. I already had to pay for this watch when the previous one (Fenix 5) battery drained very quickly after only 2 years. So many disgruntled ex-customers around, now I'm going to become one of them.

  • 0 25 days ago in reply to dennisjmack

    Actually I've just realised how disappointing my experience with Garmin has actually been : Fenix5 - after 2 years battery rapid draining - replaced, then after 2 years GPS stops working - replaced, then after 1 year (now) down button stops working. I look after my devices very well - quire precious about them in fact. Are they built to fail and be upgraded? 

  • 0 6 days ago

    I've owned a fenix watch since 2017, I'm currently waiting on my fourth replacement. All of the previous 3 watches have failed in the same way, water ingress resulting in either rapid battery depletion or button failure. On one occasion my watch out of the 2 year warranty and I had to pay £164 for a replacement. In the last case incident, my Fenix 7x pro Solar lasted just over 1 year before failing.

    For context, my usage consists of regular daily walks and once a week fresh water surface swimming for 30 minute, and I take my watch off when showering.

    So, from my experience, and the nemourus post from others, I would say the Fenix (which can cost as much as £1000) should have an expected lifespan of 1-3 years if used for regular swimming.

    The odd post from some users who have experienced no issues seem to be the exception rather than the norm.

    I feel the company is in breach of trading standards, advertising the watch as suitable for regular swimming use, and I am making a formal complaint to them.

  • 0 6 days ago in reply to 1944968

    I think we're on the same page - our experiences sound similarly disappointing. Feel free to use my name in formal complaint, or perhaps I'll do the same. 

  • 0 6 days ago in reply to dennisjmack

    Tbh the Garmin watches are so overrated. I would literally short the stock if I could. You can't keep selling $1k watches which are marketed as waterproof but in fact can't support rain drops Rofl

  • 0 2 days ago

    I have my second garmin fenix 7 pro sapphire solar by guarantee , and I'm having this problem, again, and garmin wrote to me, they said re-start the watch but it doesn't work.

  • 0 2 days ago

    I have my second garmin fenix 7 pro sapphire solar by guarantee , and I'm having this problem, again, and garmin wrote to me, they said re-start the watch but it doesn't work.