11.31 freezing and stuck at bootup

I am sorry there is an issue. The unprompted reset you have been doing to get your watch functioning again is a full master reset back to default settings. Given your watch now requires both the soft reset first (long holding your top left button until your watch shuts off) followed by the unprompted master reset, it suggests the v11.31 software update went sideways when installed.

Support Center articles going over the issue:

- My Garmin Watch Freezes or Reboots

- Perform an unprompted reset.

As for any other steps that can be done, the unprompted reset is uncommon to work when stuck on a startup but remains the option that continues to work best for any outdoor watch frozen.

I am sorry to hear you are having trouble with the watch. 

We are aware of an issue that may cause the watch to be stuck in a boot loop. Our engineers are working on a solution for this. In the mean time, you can try these steps to get the watch working again:

• First we recommend trying a hard reset on the watch. For this, hold the Light button until the watch shuts off, as opposed to selecting power off. Then power this on again. 
• Then connect the watch with a computer and sync with Garmin Express.  https://www.garmin.com/en-US/software/express/windows/
• If the computer is not recognizing the watch, you may need to force the connection with the computer with these steps:
  • These steps will require the following to complete:

    Access to a personal computer Windows or Mac.
    You will also need to install Garmin Express to your computer.
    Power/data cable for your watch.
    Your Garmin Connect credentials
    Open Garmin Express on your computer.

    1. From the watch, press and hold the power/light button until it turns off.

    2. Press and hold the start/stop button.

    3. Continue to hold the start/stop button and connect the watch to the computer.

    4. While holding the start/stop button, select the option to add a device to Garmin Express.

    5. Wait up to 60 seconds for Garmin Express to recognize the watch. Once the watch is recognized you can let go of the start/stop button.

    6. When prompted in Garmin Express, complete the process of adding the device. This will include signing in using your Garmin Connect credentials.

    7. The watch should complete a sync with Garmin Express. Once the sync is complete, you can disconnect the watch from the computer. The watch should boot up normally.

• If the watch is still not working, you may also need to try these steps to remove the Remotes SW files from the watch. 

  • Windows:

    Install Garmin Express and launch the program www.garmin.com/.../

     

    1. Ensure the device is powered off
    2. Press and hold the Start/Stop button
    3. Plug the Garmin into the computer
    4. Wait until the device is recognized by the computer, it may take up to 45 seconds for device to be recognized as a drive (if prompted install USB Drivers). Once recognized let go of Start/Stop
    5. Open the Garmin drive > Garmin Folder > delete the RemoteSW folder
    6. Unplug the watch and allow it to power on

     

    Reconnect with computer

    Add the watch to Garmin Express

    Allow this to sync with the Connect account

    Disconnect from the computer, and pair with the phone again

  • For Mac users:

     

    For a device to enter MTP mode users would need a plug-in like:  https://openmtp.ganeshrvel.com/

    Specific steps on mounting the F7/Epix Pro:

     

    1. Hold power until watch powers down
    2. Hold start/stop while plugging watch into computer
    3. Continue holding start/stop until the watch mounts to the computer.
    4. Once mounted, navigate to the system drive and locate the GARMIN/REMOTESW folder.
    5. Delete the GPE.bin file
    6. Remove from the computer and allow watch to boot
    7. Plug watch back into computer and sync with Garmin Express