Charging Frustration

I obviously can't say that you are the only one with that issue, but I can confirm that I don't have that problem. I think the culprit may be your USB cable or your USB connector in your PC. Maybe you should test another cable and/or another USB connector in your computer; even another differente computer, if you have access to it.  If finally, after that kind of tests, the problem persists, you can contact Garmin and send them your watch back for repair.

Sorry if I was not clear.  The issue is not related to my computer USB.  The issue exists when charging using a wall USB adaptor as well.  And I have gone through 3 OEM cables...

I agree that the charging attachment point from cord to watch is pretty problematic.  It's almost like they designed it be faulty?  I've had a number of Garmin watches previously (a 405, Fenix 1, 910xt, Vivoactive, - plus my wife has 3-4 herself) and this is the worst charging attachment mechanism yet.

I had the same problem a few months ago and I solved it by cleaning it well
the contacts of the watch with a contact spray and scraping off the oxidation.
I strongly advise against putting on the contact cover because it causes it to stagnate
humidity and contacts oxidize immediately, causing the charging problem.

I have found the puck style after market cables a bit easier to work with for staying connected well.  otherwise for me it does sometime come in and out of charging or connection to computer if wiggled.  Really I have had that issue with very style of garmin charger over the years.  luckily now with it being more common across brands/years and amazon retailers making these cheap... easy enough to replace.   I just always make sure to doublecheck connection after setting watch on the counter/desk.  Usually just fine

But otherwise I have had no problem with doing syncs through a cable to PC for maps, workouts, etc.  Charging works fine generally as well.   

If it is consistently that bad with different cables, I would work with support/warranty.  They have been pretty good for me on accessories (HRM) but watches not as much (cracked HR sensor on old 235)

Meanwhile, others have very few or no problems. The key to maintaining good connectivity is to ensure the charging port is thoroughly dried before plugging in the cable. I swim several times a week in the sea or pool, as well as run and bike. I rinse the watch in water and dry it before connecting a cable. The charging port looks like new and connects without issue on even my oldest 945. I agree there can be some issues with the cable but given the plethora of different charging options across the Garmin range it's great to have a standard.

eliobell said:

I strongly advise against putting on the contact cover

Agreed. Cleanliness is next to Supreme Deityness lol!

For me, it's not the corrosion of the connectors, it's the faulty design on the cable connector itself.  There is no satisfying "click" when inserting it anymore (original cable or several aftermarket versions, including the puck style which simply stopped working).

I don't swim (unless I'm being chased, ha ha) so that's not an issue anyway - and I baby my equipment so I don't think that's the issue.  For example I have never had an issue with the cables on my previous Garmins (going back to the 405), which I don't think is coincidence that all of those used a clamp style securing method.

I had a lot of issues with the normal garmin charging cables and also replacements purchased elsewhere. I've switched entirely to the watch stand style of charger and found that for the most part this addresses my issues 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L3WQSCS/ Something like this guy "EZCO Charger Dock Compatible with Garmin" (although I'm sure any similar design will work well enough.

Main issue is that the stand types preserve the cable itself better during connect/disconnection

Looks intriguing Hamster.  I just placed an order.

Comparing visual cleanliness of my watch and cables, I would say it is the cables which appear to corrode.

Also as with another reply, no cable, new or old, seems to "click" into the watch well any more, so maybe the charging stand will work better with gravity on it's side.

I had that one (or similar) and it stopped charging altogether after about 6 months.  Same with the puck style chargers.  In this case I blame the cheap manufacturers and not the Garmin part of the process.  At least these chargers are pretty cheap so you can treat them as basically disposable.  Currently I'm using the one DC Rainmaker recommended a few months ago that has an extra long cable - it's holding up so far.