Fenix 7 Solar - Battery Drain since August (from 18.14 to 19.38)

Thank you for your report.
It was very similar for me. I also had above-average battery consumption with my Fenix 7 Pro SS after the 18.xx updates. I then thought I'd just wait for the next update and then that will have sorted itself out. But still the same with the 19.xx updates.
I then organized the 17.28 software, copied the files to the watch and started the “downgrade” process.
The watch then ran through a few progress bars until it also got stuck in the “loading fit files” dialog. This then ended in an endless loop. The watch kept restarting itself, ran through progress bars and then got stuck in the same “loading fit files” dialog again
I then looked online for a solution on how to get out of the loop. The solution was to press and hold the two right buttons on the watch (Start/Lap) directly on the boot screen, where the “Fenix” logo is displayed. After a few seconds you will hear a beep when you release only the start button, after approx. 2 more seconds you will hear a second beep when you also release the “Lap” button.

The watch then started normally. I probably performed a “super hard reset” using the key combination. After the watch was fully online again, I restored the Garmin backup to get all the settings back. Since then everything works again without any problems, battery life is as usual, if not better. That doesn't sound logical somehow, but it feels that way. 

So maybe there really is something to this reset. I can't say whether this is really the solution. At least that's how it worked for me. In the meantime, I have switched off updates on the watch and am waiting until either someone here in the forum writes that the problems have been fixed with the new update or this is mentioned in the Garmin changelog.

I wrote this quite some time ago in reddit when I was downgrading mine because of the all of the issues 18.xx introduced, so pay attention to this: If you are hooking your watch via USB for a PC connection, for example, for 3rd party map updates, with every hook the watch will download the latest firmware. To avoid this, manually will have to delete the downloaded file called "GUPDATE.GSP" from the Garmin folder, to prevent updating to the latest. Otherwise, it will prompt you to install, after you disconnect it from the USB connection, and if you decline, but the file is there, it will be installed while you are sleeping or not using the watch actively, for example.

Hi Thomas. read following thread:

https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-7-series/398340/fenix-7-pro-sapphire-solar-restarting-during-running

I posted links for fw 17.28 for both Fenix 7 and Fenix 7 Pro firmware download and also downgrade instructions.

Hi all,

As an update, I downgraded to 17.28 as many recommended, and I am also happy to have back Lactate threshold test as workout and finally also my lactate threshold is updating (no updates since September...), for the moment I will keep the 17.28, but I still notice that the battery is draining... I did a hard reset and charge it to the maximum, but since 23 December I have now 35%... since I did long runs maybe it is still ok, but not significantly better...

Hi and thanks, I know this post but to be honest, I'm a little careful these days, downloading any software from Google drive accounts from people I don't know, that's why I also mentioned Garmin Laurie in hope, that Garmin would provide the firmware.

I hope they do so.

Garmin-Laurie I would highly appreciate if Garmin could provide 17.28 for downgrade, ideally together with instructions how to do it as an official workaround for people that have battery issues instead of removing download links and pushing us to use the new firmware versions, which constantly do not solve issues or even bring in new ones.

Hi, 

You can find the link in the forum as I did.
Check the software update section for file for 18.09, download it, inside you will also have the backup of 17.28 with the instructions how to downgrade.

I do downgrade to 17.28. butt issue Is still on the table :( baterry life Is 3 days ...

The thread you mentioned includes only links for Fenix 7 (non-pro) version. Fenix 7 PRO and 7X PRO links do not not work. Garmin despite several queries did not fix the links neither provide any other links for older firmware download.

Firmware 17.28 for F7 PRO version was provided to me by other user here at the forum via Google Drive. For me, downgrade using this file worked well. Now I have battery consumption back to around 6% a day.

But I understand that file from Google Drive may look suspicious and untrustworthy.

Hi,

I just deleted Garmin Explore app, is it sufficient to avoid synchronization of maps?
I will check the GUPDATE but I didnt connect to any Wifi or computer after downgrading