16.11 Instinct 2 Solar battery drain issue.

6518176 said:

Don't you really see a bit too many coincidences and that something is really up with latest firmware?

Yes, I see the same claims after every single firmware update, since years, and yet at the next update there will be new users claiming the new version caused the drain, while the previous one was ok.

The main problem is that people do not read and follow the instructions in the guide carefully and completely, and also do not try to eliminate the other possible causes listed there. That told, there can be isolated cases, where the battery problems are either related to a hardware failure, or perhaps to a bricked firmware, but in that case the last hint from the troubleshooting guide applies - contact the Support.

... and if you are persuaded that the firmware is the reason of your troubles, then downgrade to the previous version. There is a chance it helps. Not really because of the older firmware version, but because the downgrade will also master reset the watch to factory defaults. And if you did not try the master reset yet, then it is worth of trying too.

I have the same issue. My settings presume 40 days of woring time but in the last couple of days this period dropped down radically. Despite it shows still 40 days it lasts max 2 days only (without any tracking event)

To my opinion there are some problems with the current firmware. Garmins 17.01 announcement is mentioning "Fixed potential issues with solar charging".

I really appreciate that people in that forum  trying to help and suggesting several steps but on the other hand I don't see why a customer sould make any master reset, downgrade to a previous version or delete any files manualy.

Let us hope Garmin is going to deliver proper software bug fixes with the next firmware release.

I updated my Instinct 2 Solar to 16.11 via Garmin Express two days ago and I've not experienced any of the battery drain issues described.

When I started using it a few days before auto-update did one update but not more so switched off that and then used Garmin Express to manage the watch. 

I cannot say it with one hundred percent certainty. Apparently many devices are affected but not everyone. Garmin mentioned a bug fix only for the solar models.

On my brand new instinct 2, came preloaded with version 13. Everything was perfect and then I updated to 16.11, now heart rate does not register correctly. It drops 20 bpm randomly while sitting, walking or climbing stairs. Don’t update..

been on 16.11 for months and never had any trouble with it, probably most of users did not neither (can't recall seeing posts about it), it's quite stable software actually, and yea, i have non solar I2.

you can always downgrade to see if it helps, might be something went wrong during update in your case, but I don't believe people should 'not update' as you said, your case seems to be isolated