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Garmin Fenix 8 43mm 13.35 crashing

Nmccann85
10 days ago

Got the watch maybe October 2024, not part of the Beta programme, no problems until late February. Since then every update (or based on current experience, pretty sporadically), maybe 3-4 windows, has resulted in 2-4 days of the watch being unusable (constant crashing/reboot, heavily lagged responses to button presses - about 20 seconds), sometimes seemingly self-resolving but twice factory reseting and setting up from scratch (backup fails to restore previous settings and apps). Latest 13.35 didn't require factory reset, but since 12th April (so 6 days) it's been unusable as though there's been a new software update, crashing multiple times a day when I've not been actively using the watch, with seemingly no new update. Draining battery about 15-20% a day. 

Seems to be inconsistent experience across users, so wondering if it's my watch at this point? I've tried reinstalling the latest update, per other posts, but it's done nothing.

  • 0 10 days ago

    I factory reset it this afternoon and it hasn't solved anything

  • 0 9 days ago in reply to Nmccann85

    It sounds like you have done everything you can.

    I would say you have two options:

    1. Enter into the Beta program and hope the Beta is more stable (I doubt it will be worse, since v13 these forums have been on fire with reports like yours). When the v15 beta is released as public(they skipped v14), you can leave the beta program without a factory reset.

    2. Appeal online for someone who downloaded the 12.35 rollback package when Garmin had it available in the beta forum. Garmin will not give you this, despite making your watch unusable.

    I doubt it is your hardware. I have been burnt several times by Garmin FW releases in my 12 years of ownership. The only way to dodge these releases is to disable automatic updates and check by here 2-3 weeks after public release and decide if it is safe to "upgrade".  The many reports from v13.xx mean i am still on 12.38... 

    Good luck, hope you get it sorted!

  • 0 7 days ago in reply to MDPennock

    Haven't worn watch since Friday reset and battery fell from 97% to 25% this morning. Enrolled in Beta: isn't worse, but is no better (watch unusable).

    Given I only upgraded for maps and smarter aesthetic (from 255s, which never had problems), I'm leaning towards getting a refund at this point. My partner has a 965 and had the same issue in February update, but not monthly since.

  • 0 6 days ago in reply to Nmccann85

    I wish I had downloaded the v12.35 rollback for all watches now, you are not the first person I could have given it to (I only grabbed the 47mm Solar version for my watch).

    or someone else at Garmin may have an idea, or want to collect crash logs (if you are willing). I think you might need to allow private messages on your profile for them to reach you.

    Support via these forums is limited, you might want to go via https://support.garmin.com and call (especially if US based) or create a ticket.

    Outside of this, if you like the hardware, maybe try an exchange and hope there was a hardware problem? When you update that you would get the same firmware again, and only Garmin know how widespread this problem is.

  • +1 3 days ago in reply to MDPennock

    Hello. I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with the watch crashing. I would love to help investigate this further. For this, I will reach out to you via Private message to collect details of this issue.