Forerunner 265 Series - Recent Threads

Forerunner 265 – HRV baseline after cardiac procedure permanently “Poor”

Damgot — Mon, 09 Nov 2026 20:32:09 GMT

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for advice or similar experiences regarding HRV Status and Training Readiness on my Forerunner 265.

On September 1, 2026, I had Cardioneuromodulation (CNM) to treat cardioinhibitory vasovagal syncope. Before the procedure, my nightly HRV averaged 50–60 ms. Since then it has stabilised at 15–20 ms, and my resting heart rate and exercise heart rate response have also changed. This seems to be a lasting change in my cardiac autonomic regulation.

HRV Status shows “Poor – Below age group”, even though my HRV is stable at its new level since 2 months. As a result, Training Readiness is almost permanently poor, even after good sleep and rest days, and Training Status is also affected. These scores no longer reflect my actual recovery, so I can’t use them to plan my training.

Will the algorithm eventually adapt to a new stable baseline, or does the age-based reference range prevent a “Balanced” status permanently?
Is there a way to reset or recalibrate the HRV baseline after a major physiological change?
Can HRV be excluded from, or given less weight in, Training Readiness (so it relies on sleep, recovery time, training load and stress)?
Can the influence of HRV on Training Status be adjusted too?

I’m not trying to inflate my HRV score or ignore real fatigue. I just want metrics that reflect my actual recovery.

Has anyone been through something similar (cardiac ablation, pacemaker, other procedures, or a naturally low HRV)?

Any workaround or experience with Garmin support would be very welcome.

Thanks!

Forerunner 265s showing wrong data since 27.09 update

6650593 — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 20:22:13 GMT

Please fix this issue with FR265 on version 27.09 causing wrong heart rate spiking at beginning of every run since it was released January 15th 2026

Please also fix the elevation data which went wrong when upgrading from 17.24 to 18.22 in March 2024. I am sick and tired of a perfectly good watch deteriorating. It now shows COMPLETELY wrong data

Below is the heart rate overlaid with elevation data. The first screenshot shows correct elevation (corrected with map information) both show the same heart rate data i cant fix that. The second screenshot is completely wrong it just looks weird. I've had this elevation issue since March 2024 for every run and now HR issue since 15th January 2026

Wrong heart rate. Correct elevation, corrected after run by using map data instead of device data. Green ticks indicate the repetitive hills i am running

Same run. Device data. Completely wrong all over. Every run.

RE: Forerunner 265s showing wrong data since 27.09 update

7394204 — Sat, 07 Nov 2026 14:02:45 GMT

Same problem here. How can I fix it?

RE: Graphics failure after update October 2026

ferranbea — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 20:43:37 GMT

Just to be clear, that did not solve my problem. The later update did.

Graphics failure after update October 2026

ferranbea — Fri, 30 Oct 2026 09:31:09 GMT

My forerunner 265 has been severely glitched after today's update.

Watch hands are no longer visible.
All my purchased watch faces are gone.
Icons in menus are gone.
Graphics gone.
Stored music gone.

And it says Software version bundle: 0.0

I've tried hard and soft restarts but not factory reset.

This never happened to me before.

Anybody else?

RE: Graphics failure after update October 2026

Garmin - KS — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 19:38:29 GMT

Thanks for posting about this, ferranbea! It sounds like you're no longer experiencing this behavior, which is excellent.

For anyone else experiencing this, we ask that you reinstall the firmware via the developer menu:

Go to Main Menu > System > About.
Press the Light button (upper-left) 8 times.
Select Reinstall Software.

If this issue persists, please reach out to your local Garmin Support office for additional assistance.

Is it fine to swap a recovery run for an easy bike ride?

davgat — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 22:32:59 GMT

Is it fine to swap a recovery run for an easy bike ride?

RE: Graphics failure after update October 2026

ferranbea — Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:08:49 GMT

Yeah, the annoying thing is that when I reported it they were very quick in offering a replacement device at cost as the only solution. Not a great customer service IMO.

RE: Graphics failure after update October 2026

7400251 — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 22:18:24 GMT

They pushed another update yesterday that fixed it, thankfully.

RE: Graphics failure after update October 2026

ferranbea — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:09:17 GMT

See the resolution here...

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EcWbNEjym/

RE: Graphics failure after update October 2026

7400251 — Mon, 02 Nov 2026 03:48:21 GMT

I also have this issue after the watch updated automatically last night.

Not great when a forced update breaks the watch.

Strava live-segments, forerunner 265?

2311272 — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 15:09:27 GMT

Why Strava live segments doesn't work in Forerunner 265??

I noticed that after I purchased the watch and that is just stupid... Other watches are too big for my wrist so I chose this because of the small size. Didn't realize that it doesn't have same stuff than the bigger ones...

“Battery problems since the last update.”

1698572 — Sun, 18 Oct 2026 18:09:12 GMT

Hi everyone,

Since updating my Forerunner 265S to software version 29.05 about a week ago, my battery drains completely within 24 hours. I lose more than 50% overnight without using GPS.

I’m using a standard Garmin watch face. The issue started immediately after the update.

I’ve already contacted Garmin Support but haven’t received a response yet.

Is anyone else experiencing the same issue? Any solutions?

Thanks!

RE: “Battery problems since the last update.”

xiao — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 02:02:20 GMT

I tried all the suggested above. It really points to a firmware issue. I've turned off all features that could cause battery drain and tried multiple resets. I also don't think it's battery degradation because it happened so fast.

RE: “Battery problems since the last update.”

xiao — Sat, 31 Oct 2026 01:52:18 GMT

Hi, I have the same issue. I messaged support and asked for a rollback but they just offered a replacement which I am not sure will fix the issue.

RE: Garmin watch reboots after going through the race event prediction screen

Garmin - KS — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 21:24:15 GMT

3233330 Thank you for sharing! I recommend reaching out to your local Garmin Support office directly for further assistance, as they'll need to review the specifics of your watch and gather additional information. You can do so using the contact information listed at the bottom of the hyperlink above.

When you do, please be sure to mention your current software version and the steps you're taking that consistently result in the reboot. This will help the team investigate the issue more efficiently.

Garmin watch reboots after going through the race event prediction screen

6521823 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 17:24:42 GMT

I have a race coming up and when I click and enter the primary race event glace, and scroll through my watch always crashes and reboots
I see 5 dots, after scrolling past the 4th the crash happens, happens with scrolling and with the buttons.

If I look at the primary race through the race calendar glace same thing reproduces.

Restart did not help, I then removed the event and re-added the race event and it still crashes and restarts the whole watch

Software Version Bundle: 29.05
For reference the event is the TSC Toronto Waterfront Marathon

RE: Garmin watch reboots after going through the race event prediction screen

3233330 — Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:49:25 GMT

I also experience the same symptoms - crash when scrolling through the event on the watch. My even is TCS New York City Marathon 2026 Blue Start. I'm On a Garmin Forerunner 256, Bundle 29.05.

RE: Heart rate measurement error - software version 27.09

DoctorCool — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 18:04:41 GMT

I did a workout this week and tracked the workout on Zwift and used the R265 to track the workout. No issues as far as I can tell. HOWEVER I was wearing the HRM so that the HRM could sync. with Zwift as Zwift records my heart rate too. I'll have to see about doing a short workout with just the FT265 and Zwift. No HRM to see how the optical heart rate goes. But from all that I can tell, the watch is functioning in this capacity as it should.

I am also running the latest firmware version and so far battery life has been fine. Again, I will keep an eye on it.

Heart rate measurement error - software version 27.09

lisamcc — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 14:00:45 GMT

Hi I have a forerunner 265 running software version 27.09

Incorrect Heart Rate and Elevation Data During the First 5~ Minutes of Activities

mathewxiang — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 05:51:11 GMT

Since this August, I’ve noticed an issue with my Garmin Forerunner 265 during activities such as running and cycling.

For approximately the first five minutes of each activity, both heart rate and elevation readings appear to be way off. The values suddenly spike to unusually high levels, but after a while, they automatically return to their normal ranges and seem to work correctly for the rest of the activity.

This never happened before, and I’m not sure what has changed. Could this be related to a recent firmware update? Would a system reset be worth trying?

Has anyone else experienced similar issues recently? I’d appreciate any suggestions or advice. Thanks!

RE: Incorrect Heart Rate and Elevation Data During the First 5~ Minutes of Activities

mathewxiang — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 03:17:39 GMT

unfortunately i still got the issue when i downgrade to 2709. just feel my wrist issue now, honestly i gave up now. i will choose to take my hr belt or move to coros. bye garmin! thanks a lot guys.

RE: Incorrect Heart Rate and Elevation Data During the First 5~ Minutes of Activities

gxgene1 — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 03:08:49 GMT

Jacquers is the person who had the link, I saw it in the posts and made note of it. It's great that the rollback has been confirmed which may help others that might be considering it.

RE: Incorrect Heart Rate and Elevation Data During the First 5~ Minutes of Activities

jcstein — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:04:18 GMT

Thank you very much! I’ve been looking for this file for a while. I downgraded today, and the altimeter/barometer sensor on my watch is now working properly. To all FR265 users: I highly recommend this solution if you want accurate sensor readings!

Unresponsive FR265 - cannot use any of the buttons or touch screen

5468290 — Fri, 23 Oct 2026 06:30:56 GMT

Unable to move down language menu. Can only turn off and on the watch as well as scroll up. Touch screen is unresponsive and cannot reconnect watch back to phone - Became unreponsive after taking it off charge. The watch was purchased August 2025. Is there a way to fix this?