So many issues with SW 23.20 makes me wonder why is Garmin not pulling it and offering a rollback?

I can't help but notice that there's a litany of complaints (literally three pages on this forum) from users who updated to 23.20. This looks like one of the buggiest software versions Garmin released for the 955, and that says a lot considering that all have been more or less bugged. Intriguingly, Garmin stopped testing other versions after releasing this almost a month ago. I'm on 22.24 and happy not not have other bags besides routing in maps, which I don't use anyway. I would expect Garmin to pull back the 23.20 and offer a rollback to 22.24, which had very few complaints. That it hasn't done it yet is puzzling, especially as it sold the 955 until very recently and many are under warranty (mine was bought in October). I expect development to end now that 970 is out, but at least it should end with a functional build like 22.24 instead of the failed 23.20. Especially as it will install the moment you hook your watch to a computer with Garmin Express if you're not paying attention.

  • Interesting: my forerunner 255s music was also from 2022 (august!)

  • My watch is also from 2022, and had many, many updates. But I never used 3rd party add-ons, except Spotify. And update always through Garmin Express and the usb-cable. Maybe that is the trick. We will never now. I consider myself pretty lucky with a stable watch. I feel sorry for those who have massive issues.

  • I agree. Why not make that possible. Maybe because of the updates being incremental instead of full software versions?

  • maybe, and i can imagine that maintaining settings file format compatibility backwards could be tricky. but at this point, i've already done a complete absolute wipe of my watch. (and it still did nothing to help!)

    i could also imagine that they end up with compatibility issues with the phone sync (?). but that protocol should not really be changing much. but maybe they would then also have to offer downgrade options on the phone app (or build in backwards compatibility of the sync protocol. although i really would be very suprised if there were big changes in the sync protocol for different releases?) but a roll back one subversion would be useful at least for when the monumentally break things for some people (like me right now...)

    in any case, it is pretty frustrating. hopefully their tech support will figure it out, I am also sending them my daily logbook entries. 

  • my heart rate and steps sensor sare not working, and also has installed update everytime I connect to the PC. reallz annoyed

  • what does it say under Settings about for WHR Firmware Page through the about pages? Ig it says WHR 0.0.0 that is the issue.

    Try software reinstall - Go Settings , About Press light button 8 times. select Reinstall Software.

    If still the same , contact Garmin Support

  • I opened a case with garmin around 10 days ago, and they have just asked me to replace my unit. Seems silly really as the likelihood is the issues are software based, especially if you look at the forum comments. 

  • Update from my side: i checked my whr setting yesterday and it was not 0.0.0. I had two days with no UI freezes, but this morning whe  i woke up, my watch had crashed and drained it's batter while i was a asleep (some time between 4.30 and 7). So whr was not the cause of my problem.

    They offered *again* to replace my watch for 129 eur (my watch is more than 2 years old). Completely idiotic that they expect me to pay for a replacement to solve what is clearly a software bug they created and are simultaneously preventing me from rolling back temporarily to and old firmware 

  • You can downgrade without any problem, it’s just not official for some reason.

  • I can think of two reasons for not making it official:

    1. If the device malfunctions or breaks while downgrading they don't want to be responsible or liable for anything that goes wrong with the watch. I can definitely understand that.

    2. However the second reason is a bit more complicated...in my opinion. I have a Suunto 9 Baro (different brand obviously) that kept crashing with the latest firmware. Anyways there was a thread on the Suunto forum about downgrading the firmware which was not promoted by Suunto. So needless to say I was afraid to do it because I feared it would ruin my watch. Anyways, 2 years later I did the downgrade due to not using my Suunto 9 and just wanting to see what would happen. I downgraded the software and guess what? It stopped crashing! Sometimes I wonder if they intentionally ruin the latest firmware to get you to think your device is broken so that you buy the new one?!

    I think the "reason" is one of the two things I mentioned. Maybe even a bit of both.