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Instinct 2X crash and reboot on activity

JulBSN
7 months ago

Hello. I am having issues with my Instinct 2X Tactical watch.

During activities, and completely at random, I experience freezes that cause the watch to restart. The GPS must be activated. I realize this from the vibration and beep when it prompts me to resume the activity, or when, during route tracking, I see the Garmin logo on the screen during the restart. I mainly have this problem during long outings (1 hour and more). If the activity is indoors, I have no issues.

I have attempted two hard resets, which have not changed anything. During the last one, I didn't even reinstall any customizations or apps to keep it as neutral as possible. It is updated to version 16.11.

This leads to errors (beyond the fact that my activity is disrupted). In Garmin Connect, the intensive minutes are incorrect. For example, today, for a 2h40 outing, I only have 80 intensive minutes even though my average heart rate is 140 and the details are correct. Additionally, I did not receive the record displayed for the half marathon (even though I covered a distance greater than 21.1 km) nor the activity record for 300 minutes of intensive activity, as they are incorrect!

Finally, since the information is erroneous, my training status is completely inaccurate as the exercise load is not representative at all.

I am attaching some screenshots for your reference. You can clearly see the reboots during heart rate drops or power spikes...

I would like to know if this is still a defective model and if I must go through the RMA process. Thank you for your help.

Screenshots:

https://ibb.co/4ZmpM06
https://ibb.co/0YVWGgG
https://ibb.co/Drw2v8T
https://ibb.co/qsLhrJS

https://ibb.co/ZWDNPVF
https://ibb.co/59drXGy

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  • +1 7 months ago

    Hello 

    I am sorry to hear you are having this issue. I would recommend trying a full factory reset with these steps:

    1. Ensure the watch is powered off.
      • You may need to hold CONTROLfor up to 30 seconds to turn the watch off.
    2. Press and hold SET and GPS.
    3. Press CONTROL to power the watch on while holding these two buttons.
    4. After the first beep release GPS.
    5. After the second beep release the remaining button.

    If this continues, the watch may need to be replaced. Some have seen some improvement with random shut down concerns, by disabling vibrations in the watch. But I would recommend contacting Garmin Product Support to discuss replacement options. 

  • 0 7 months ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    Hello !

    I've already attempted two hard resets within a month. The problem hasn't been resolved.

    I've contacted support, and the watch has just been sent for a replacement (this is already the second time! I hope the exchange will be quick).

    What I can say is that the restart occurred (when I look at the graphs) about 5 minutes after a checkpoint, or 1km alert, randomly. Sometimes I was using live tracking and a pod. I even tried using it without anything attached, but the same issue occurred.

    The problem only happened during long outdoor sessions (1 hours and more with GPS) .

    I trace my running routes with Komoot, then upload them to Garmin Connect and sync them to the watch (I don’t use the Komoot widget for the Garmin watch).Sometimes I modify the Komoot route on Garmin Connect before syncing.

    Thanks.

  • 0 4 months ago

    Update after 3 months !

    Hi everyone,

    I’m reaching out to share a very frustrating issue with my Garmin Instinct 2X Tactical, hoping to find some answers or solutions.

    For context: three months ago, my previous watch was replaced with a brand-new model by Garmin’s support team. Since then, I’ve been using it regularly (3 to 5 activities per week) without any issues. I typically use dual-frequency GPS, and occasionally PacePro, though I rarely activate it. My activities vary in duration, ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours, with distances up to 23 km. I also use a heart rate strap in ANT+ mode and occasionally the Garmin Pod.

    However, today, my watch crashed unexpectedly. Here are the details:

    • 8 km run in an open area.
    • GPS course created beforehand via Garmin Connect, with a PacePro plan loaded.
    • PacePro strategy set with 7 splits based on elevation.
    • Outside temperature: -3°C (26°F).
    • Watch worn over clothing (heart rate strap connected via ANT+).
    • Garmin Pod not used today.
    • Turn notifications were enabled with both sound and vibration.
    • The watch is in its original state, with vibrations enabled by default. I’m unsure if this might be related to the issue.

    Everything was working fine until 500 meters before the finish, when the watch suddenly crashed and rebooted! After restarting, the data transferred to Garmin Connect was incomplete and partially inaccurate.

    This is particularly frustrating because this had never happened before with this replacement model. I’m left feeling both perplexed and disappointed, as it completely undermines the reliability I expect from a watch of this caliber—especially under normal usage conditions. Now I’m worried it could happen again at any time, making my activities unpredictable.

    For reference:

    • The watch is fully updated.
    • No plugins, watch faces, or third-party apps are installed—everything is stock.

    I’m wondering if this issue is related to the cold temperature, the PacePro plan (especially with 7 elevation-based splits), the vibrations, or an overload of features (strap + GPS + PacePro). Regardless, a product of this range shouldn’t experience such issues, and I would really like to understand what’s going on.

    Has anyone else encountered this type of problem? What can I do to prevent it from happening again?

    Thanks in advance for your advice and feedback!

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to JulBSN

    Hi,

    I've experienced the same issues with my Instinct 2X Solar in the last year in multiple races (I bought the watch Feb-2024), including a 100 mile mountain trail race where I need the GPS map for safety. It looks like the PacePro and pre-loaded map Navigation is triggering this.

    I've lost confidence in using my watch for trail ultra's, which is exactly why I bought it in the first place, and from your feedback not even a replacement fixes the issue. , can you please advise what we can do here? Is there any plans from Garmin to bring out a long term fix for this problem?

    BR

    Walter

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to 9809261
    Hi !

    I’ve also lost all confidence in my watch. I’m considering switching to a Fenix or Forerunner, even though it doesn’t seem like the best solution. It doesn’t make sense to change models when the Instinct should be working properly. It’s like Garmin is forcing me to buy another model just to keep using something that should work. Plus, the price is completely different, and many features wouldn’t even interest me.
    I’m also looking into other brands, like Coros or Suunto, who now offer affordable and very reliable products. It’s a shame, but without real fixes from Garmin, I don’t have a choice... I’ll wait a few more weeks, but if I need to change watches, I will. Too bad.

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to JulBSN

    I’d point the finger at the PacePro plan. Have you used PacePro in this way before? are you able to do a similar activity without a PacePro plan them repeat it with a PP plan?
    I agree is shouldn’t happen anyway so would suggest you enter into a dialogue with Garmin Support. 

  • 0 4 months ago

    After upgrading to version 16.11, I encountered the same problem.

    I think there is an issue with version 16.11 because this has never happened before.

  • 0 4 months ago in reply to Dr Phil

    I’ve already used PacePro in this way—always, in fact. I’ve just adjusted certain settings or added accessories (heart rate, vibrations, alerts, watch reset, etc.). The only thing I’ve never tested is PacePro without a course, meaning without GPS.

    This shouldn’t happen. To me, it’s not a hardware issue but rather a software one—or possibly hardware-related but dependent on the software (memory management, component overheating, or something else).

    I’ve already engaged in dialogue with Garmin and experienced the issue on three different watches. I feel I’ve done enough to help move things forward, don’t you think?

    If not, someone should contact me for more details.

    Also, the customer service process is an issue for me because I end up without a watch for 3 to 4 weeks, as Garmin refuses to do an exchange in advance.

  • 0 4 months ago

    I have the Instinct 2X Solar and also, from time to time, i get one reboot. Now, i use to restart my watch from time to time to prevent this to happen during one activity. But, rebooting isn't normal.

    I supose that Garmin need to lauch one new software update to correct that.

  • 0 3 months ago

    Hello everyone

    After dealing with random restarts on my Instinct 2X, I decided to invest in the Fenix 7X Pro, drawn by its premium finish, impressive battery life, performance, and the running/trail features that seemed perfect for my needs.

    But here I am, just one week after purchase, already regretting it:

    1. Garmin’s policy on ECG: I’m disappointed by the arbitrary restrictions and the lack of transparency regarding this feature.

    2. Software updates: Comparing the software support to the Forerunner 965, it’s unacceptable for a watch at this price point.

    And today, the final straw:

    I did an 11 km trail run with SatIQ GPS enabled (no other specific settings, everything is on default). I was running with the map displayed on the screen. I got within 50 meters of the finish line… and the watch rebooted itself!

    Honestly, this is unacceptable. A brand-new €700 watch crashing like this?! Between limited software support, bugs, and now this, I really feel like I’ve been let down.

    I wanted to give Garmin another chance after my bad experience with the Instinct 2X, but clearly, that was a mistake.

    Bad choice!