External Sensors don’t auto connect (HRM)

hi there,

since the „secure“ connection of ANT devices. All of my HRM Pro‘s don’t automatically connect when starting an activity. Is there a workaround or do i need to check it each time when starting a activity?

i started using jacket mode so i can see that it isn’t connected.

thanks in advance — mirko

Top Replies

Garmin-Laurie 5 months ago in reply to 6915929 +8 verified

Update February 26, 2025:

Our engineers are aware of an issue that may potentially cause external sensors to fail to Auto connect each time. These are still able to be manually connected again. Sometimes…
Garmin-Laurie 5 months ago in reply to socorsu +-1 verified

Hello. I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with the sensor pairing. For this, I would love to collect some additional details, to report this to our engineers. I will reach out to you via Private…
Garmin-Laurie 5 months ago in reply to charlus27 +0 verified

Update March 12, 2025:

We are aware of a potential issue that was causing external sensors to not automatically connect to the watch. This issue is fixed with software version 20.22.
Ocean5 5 months ago in reply to DerDembo +15 suggested

Garmin does absolutely nothing with bug reports, there were so many reported in beta pre 20.16 and yet here we are.

Just drop the idea of beta testing, roll the watch back to 15.77 or whatever the most…
Ocean5 6 months ago +9

This was reported in the beta testing but they decided to release it in public anyway
6915929 5 months ago in reply to gaterobs +9

Garmin is just pushing us to buy a smart watch from different brands. A Suunto Peak 9 with navigation and snorkeling function, good enough for running, biking and water sport costs 350€. An additional…

All Replies

0 SFRINGER 6 months ago

I encountered the same with my Tempe this morning. Will try the remove and add back steps that have been ment.

0 Ocean5 6 months ago

This was reported in the beta testing but they decided to release it in public anyway

0 Scratchen 6 months ago

This was reported multiple times during beta testing but they obviously ignored it and released this version to the public anyways… unbelievable.

Today, I encountered this problem again (20.16 public) during strength training. HRM Pro, no auto connect. Had to do it manually.

0 megaphylls 6 months ago in reply to megaphylls

Unfortunately today it didn't work again and I needed to pair it again, so I guess something weird has happened in 20.16. HRM of any type and connection has always worked fine in 19.41 and before for me

0 TominNJ 6 months ago

I too am having problem with my HRMs. My HRM Pro wasn’t auto connecting and it started disconnecting from my watch during my runs. I bought a new HRM Pro Plus and it’s doing the same thing. I have to connect it before I start the activity and then it won't stay connected.

0 megaphylls 6 months ago in reply to TominNJ

TominNJ said:
and it started disconnecting from my watch during my runs

yep, me too.

it kept disconnecting 3 times in 2 hours for almost 1 minute or so, I never had similar issues!

Garmin I’m really disappointed, such a bad way to manage things, every time you release something there’s a regression. Unbelievable.

0 DerDembo 5 months ago

I am in the same boat as almost everybody else here. So if you are experiencing these auto-connect issues, please do upvote the bug report for 20.16 stable here: https://forums.garmin.com/beta-program/fenix-7-series/public-beta-reports/i/public-beta-20-xx/20-16-stable-external-sensors-not-auto-connecting-when-starting-an-activity

I think this it the best way to catch Garmin's attention. The bug report has already escalated to be "Under Review" so there is hope that it will be eventually fixed.

0 Jmkann15 5 months ago

Same issue here. I ran today and just assumed it was connected. Wasn't until I did a gym workout later in the day I saw it wasn't connected. Had to do the same thing at home right now playing around with it seeing if it was a one time thing or not. Curious if those who had to manually connect once what their experience is with different sports versus the same sport.

0 druidh 5 months ago

Both Garmin HRM Dual and a Magene HRM are connecting automatically on my F7S Pro Solar with 20.16

0 Ocean5 5 months ago in reply to DerDembo

Garmin does absolutely nothing with bug reports, there were so many reported in beta pre 20.16 and yet here we are.

Just drop the idea of beta testing, roll the watch back to 15.77 or whatever the most stable for you, run the watch to the ground for a few more years and never buy garmin product again.