FR965 got stuck in a bootloop, did soft reset but was not able to set up sync from phone

Hi, ended up with a bootloop or rather a small blue/purple triangle, and when I forced it off and then on it started looping.

Followed the guide here and managed to get it to the select language screen. But I could not sync/set up via my phone. The device was not getting set up via Garmin express (could not detect).

So my only option was to set up the device without my phone and then pair later. I had the beta branch when the issue happened, but I have since left the beta (got a race this weekend).

Just posting as a FYI in case anyone else is having issues.

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stennan_ 1 month ago +1

Talked to support:

Will be pulling the logs and providing them to Garmin Support in Sweden. Will try and cause the Bluetooth reboot bug so they have the crash logs fresh for the devs.

The device is no…

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0 stennan_ 1 month ago

https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation-archive/f/fenix-5-plus-series/149243/stuck-in-boot-----looping-during-booting

Forgot to add the link to the guide

0 stennan_ 1 month ago

Update: My watch got stuck in a boot loop again tonight. I had left the device stock to see if it would behave, but unfortunately, I had to reset it again. SW 22.24 running now for a second time and I will connect it to my phone/WIFI again.

0 stennan_ 1 month ago

OK, now it went into a boot loop again. Only this time the watch restarts after I turn on Bluetooth and try to sync with the phone. Doing another reset via the watch and it seems to be syncing (very slowly). I'll let it complete this while I'm working.

Perhaps I should revert back to an older firmware and then update back to the "non-beta" build of the firmware?

0 S.M.R. 1 month ago in reply to stennan_

Have you contacted support via Chat etc?

0 stennan_ 1 month ago

Talked to support:

Will be pulling the logs and providing them to Garmin Support in Sweden. Will try and cause the Bluetooth reboot bug so they have the crash logs fresh for the devs.

The device is no longer bootlooping, but if for some reason Bluetooth gets turned off the only way of turning it back on and syncing is to do a reset using the Run+Lap buttons.

With regards to the boot-looping I'll stay on the lookout and try and get the device connected to a computer next time it starts boot looping so I can pull logs for that issue. Better dust off the old 735XT and use it as a backup for the race this weekend. Would be unfortunate if the 965 decides to reboot during the race...

0 stennan_ 1 month ago in reply to S.M.R.

Jupp, will pull the logs and try to capture both the Bluetooth bug and the bootlooping when I get home to my USB cable. My device seems to no longer be on the Beta build of 22.24 at least according to the latest syncing with Garmin Connect.

0 stennan_ 1 month ago in reply to stennan_

And now the "boot looping" bug is back, just moments after the watch managed to sync with Garmin Connect on the phone.

Managed to record it on and the video is in this youtube short: youtube.com/.../IRvO5Dhf0ac

0 S.M.R. 1 month ago in reply to stennan_

Did you try "reinstall software" option.

Go to Settings , About. Press the light button 8 times. Select reinstall software.

BTW I'm on Beta 23.09 and its as stable as the usual (given the general caveat about teh bugs we all love)

0 stennan_ 7 days ago

Just a follow-up. Garmin couldn't find and crashes in the Log-files. So I am asked to send in the device and will probably get a refurbished unit in return.