Altimeter readings going insane

I've seen this issue before - my Fenix 6 Pro was replaced after it decided that I was permanently at over 20,000ft. Now my Fenix 7 is doing the same. So far it's only got me in the 7000s, but it refuses to listen to calibration and when I start an activity it uses the altimeter even if I turn it off (by setting it to use only the barometer).

I've contacted support (again) and gotten the usual answers. "Have you tried running warm water over the port?" and all that garbage. Bottom line this shouldn't happen, and if it does, I should be able to completely turn the altimeter off! Every activity I do right now reports massive increases in altitude acclimation despite my living in the pancake-flat Midwest. Can't turn that off either, and it's seriously messing with my ability to track training!

Anybody got any recommendations? I'm going to contact them on Monday and get yet another replacement device, but its really ridiculous that a $700+ watch has breaking stuff in it like that that literally cannot be worked around or turned off!

0 Splat Matt over 2 years ago

Unlikely that two different watches from a different series are having the same issue.

So share how and selections you are choosing to calibrate elevation initially.

0 RedSocks157 over 2 years ago in reply to Splat Matt

I used the calibration options in the menu. Tried GPS and DEM. Also tried manually entering elevation. All three failed to change the elevation back to normal.

0 19b0dc5a700a4ae88ac4a9f65130a07b over 2 years ago

It sounds like I'm having a very similar problem, my altimeter was not having any issues until after my last swim this week. And now it has been bounching from -20k feet to a +70k feet. Which is beyond what the sensor is ever capable of reading. Its a Fenix7x solar software v11.28, swim 4 rimes a wk with it for the last yr.

i have tried each calibration method and none have an effect if the sensor is turned on, if I turn off the alt and set it to baro only and turn off auto cali the calibration will take and it will hold for about an hr or so before going haywire again.

On my last run it said I climbed over 100k ft in a hr, which impacting the whole workout file when it was exported to other platforms.

At this point I'm not sure if the sensor is just damaged, software bug just now showing up, or if there is water in the sensor? My hope is there is just some water in the sensor and it will dry up in a few more days?

If you are able to solve the problem please share the solution

0 razmichael over 2 years ago

I had a similar issue with a Fenix 5X years ago. Interestingly, it was not the actual air pressure sensor but the temperature sensor (since temperature is used for figuring out altitude). I don't currently have the steps for the diagnostic mode for the 7 - hopefully someone can let you know what they are as this might help clearly show the problem source. You can also turn on (if not already on) the temperature widget and see what it is stating. None of this will likely help you solve the issue but it can help when dealing with support.

0 3417206 11 months ago

Same issue here with my new 7 pro saphire solar. Would have hoped Garmin would fix this issue since it's a long time coming.

0 KrapfenKringel 11 months ago in reply to 3417206

Mine started to got mad with firmware 17. Could be software, could be hardware.

0 3417206 11 months ago in reply to KrapfenKringel

I sent mine in and after a hard reset and new software update and removing the error files they say the issue is resolved. Fingers crossed. At least there was no hardware malfunction, and I think you are right that this was caused by the last update. If you have a Garmin HQ near you, take it in and ask they do a manual update, it should fix the issue.