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USB data transfer problematic

Data
over 1 year ago

The USB data connection of my Fenix 7 Solar Sapphire keeps failing. It connects and disconnects rapidly. I can only transfer files while keeping the connector firmly pressed on the back of the watch with my fingers. Charging works just fine, without having to hold the connector. The connector on the back of the watch was not visibly dirty, but I cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol anyway. I tried with a new Garmin brand USB cable, and a new no-brand USB cable, on 3 different computers (Linux and Windows), nothing changes. My Fenix 6X has no trouble at all with the same cables and computers.

I limit the number of times I connect and charge via USB to once per 6 or 7 days because I have had two Forerunners 935 that had to be replaced due to failing USB connectors, according to product support it had nothing to do with frequent use, but still, I'm afraid to wear out these USB connectors, although my Fenix 5 Plus and 6X never developed this issue and have been used many, many more times with USB than the 7.

Does anyone recognize this? Is there a 'magic' USB cable type that works better? There is no warranty on my device so contacting Support is not an option.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to Garmin - Chris

    :-( but I appreciate your straightforward reply. I am now going to try the full reset and see it it works. Otherwise I will contact Support here. Thank you.

  • 0 over 1 year ago in reply to 5708654
    5708654 said:

    I doubt it is really a problem with my particular watch. Either Garmin or HP messed that one up. The behavior is the same under both Linux and Windows, so I do not belive it can be solved by a simple software update.

    I am not having an issue with any other devices on that laptop. Just the garmin.

    Thank you for the information provided.

    @Data

    Your watch goes into a mass storage mode when it is plugged into a computer. There are at least tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands using a Macbook with their watch and a conversation cable to use USB-C that are not having any issues. It would be odd for a watch to lose the mass storage MTP communication mode on a Windows OS PC when using USB-C but only testing on other computers will provide a more accurate answer.

  • 0 7 months ago

    Yeah, Garmin cables are *** :( 
    I have replaced 2 cables in 2 years...

  • 0 5 months ago in reply to 3609299

    I have multiple cables and none of them are working. The problem started after a firmware update. :(

  • 0 5 months ago in reply to Called2RideMTB

    Not a solution for your problem unfortunately, but maybe it helps others:

    I now have much more experience with a large pile of cables and multiple watches, compared to when I started this thread.

    The cables physically wear out over time. If you have warranty on the watch Garmin will send a new cable for free.

    I don't recommend this: You can bend the outer metal part of a worn out connector with pliers just ever so slightly such that it fits snugly again. Study the conector under high magnification to see where the most wear is, there it probably has bend outwards a little. Be very, very conservative. Less is more.

    Some cables are not within specifications when new and don't work well from day 1. It either dislodges from the watch very easily or is extremely hard to push on. If that happens, ask Garmin for a new cable.

    Buying new Garmin brand cables is the best but not a budget friendly option. On Aliexpress it is hit or miss, tolerances vary, some don't even have data leads.