Forerunner 965 - Recent Threads

FR965 after 29.05: optical HR sensor dead (no LED), battery 100→0% in under 24h, backlight dims randomly — factory reset does not fix

3600480 — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:06:09 GMT

Device: Forerunner 965, software 29.05

Symptoms, all starting immediately after the 29.05 update and none present before:

Optical heart rate sensor does not work at all. No green LED on the back of the watch, day or night. Wrist HR shows "--" continuously. Verified: Settings > Sensors & Accessories > Wrist Heart Rate is On, no external HR strap is paired, watch is worn correctly.
Battery drains from 100% to 0% in under 24 hours. Prior to the update I was getting 14 days on the same usage: always-on display on, no music, gesture backlight, 5 activities/week without GPS, with GPS 1-2. No settings changed. Battery was normal on the previous firmware for 2 years of ownership.
Backlight dims unexpectedly during normal use — the display dims to low brightness while I am looking at it and the wrist-gesture timeout should not have triggered.

What I have tried:

Full power off (hold Light button until shutdown) and restart — no change.
Factory reset (Settings > System > Reset > Delete Data and Reset Settings) — no change. HR LED still does not light on a freshly reset watch, before pairing to the phone.
Checked for further updates — watch reports it is up to date on 29.05., no beta updates available either

RE: FR965 after 29.05: optical HR sensor dead (no LED), battery 100→0% in under 24h, backlight dims randomly — factory reset does not fix

Bit — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 09:19:57 GMT

Are any of the version numbers under System -> About 0.00 or have an * asterisk?
The "fridge method" might help in that case: try reinstall software after having watch in fridge (NOT freezer) for an hour; see this thread for more info: forums.garmin.com/.../2019404

Same as last year... 3 years and counting now.

nick_nz — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 07:39:34 GMT

Another year has passed, not much has changed.

Average time for runs are still not being recorded correctly as the time will keep ticking over until the watch has detected you are on the lift travelling upwards.

I've made detail notes of this in the following closed thread.

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/running-multisport/f/forerunner-965/354102/skiing-double-counting-runs

During the activity the watch should pause the time if it detects you're not travelling downhill, like it did with the 945.

965 watch stopped syncing & won't connect via Bluetooth to any device I own; tried defaults, tried a complete reset, tried reinstalling the app, tried pairing on a brand-new device.

stennan_ — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:54:29 GMT

Hi,

Connction issues

Have been having issues with my watch for the past 2 weeks, and it is driving me insane. First my watch lost connection with my phone and refused to "re-pair". I reset the Garmin app and "forgot the Bluetooth device" on my phone. Still no connection on my phone.
Note: I added all possible permissions to the Garmin app every time I reinstalled it, as "location" or "phone" permissions are sometimes needed to connect devices on Android.

But the watch still would sync periodically with my tablet until yesterday, when it also refused to complete the setup process despite me wiping the connection on the tablet.

I also completed several restarts, and the watch would show the spinning blue circle with the text "syncing" being displayed for about 5 seconds before reverting back to the QR code.

EDIT: SW bundle 28.05, GPS:13.00 ANT/BLE/BT: 28.27 Delta Downloads Enabled, SYS Hash 57e0abc

Backup and resets

I have tried backing up my settings and activities via WIFI with no success. I even added a brand new mobile hotspot connection with no password on 2.4GHz, which the watch accepted as a valid Wi-Fi, and the watch shows up as being connected to the hotspot network. But I keep getting error code 0500.

I tried resetting to default settings, but the connection issues remained as described above.

I have tried doing a complete reset and removing account/activities. The connection issues remain despite my retrying all connection attempts as above.

I finally tried to connect a 3rd Android device running Android 14 that has never been connected to the watch, and I am getting the same errors as described above.

Any other methods to factory reset or use SW to try and reconnect?

I feel like I'm at my wits' end here, so if anyone knows of any other way to reset the device, I will probably start a Warranty Claim.

RE: 965 watch stopped syncing & won't connect via Bluetooth to any device I own; tried defaults, tried a complete reset, tried reinstalling the app, tried pairing on a brand-new device.

8835059 — Sun, 06 Sep 2026 06:53:12 GMT

Having the same Problem with my Forerunner 965 since about 3 Weeks. Also tried every recommended version.
Only difference my Watch shows Wi-Fi: 0.00 and ANT/BLE/BT:0.00

Im currently SW bundle 29.05 updated via Garmin Express on my computer since there is new Phone connection possible or update via WiFi.

RE: Garmin Run Coach no longer in sync with app after firmware update

oddsignals — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 18:10:11 GMT

Thanks for the suggestions! I tried restarting both the watch and phone as well as check for app updates, but I did not try logging out of the app - I can try that if it happens again.

In any case, the problem seems to have resolved itself today - new workouts suddenly appeared in the plan in the app this morning. After finishing the workout it was also marked as complete in the app like before. So hopefully it’ll be okay again from now on. If it should happen again I’ll just keep following the plan on the watch, ignore the duplicates / different workouts in the app and wait a few days.

Garmin Run Coach no longer in sync with app after firmware update

oddsignals — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 21:17:02 GMT

After installing the latest firmware update yesterday, my Garmin Run Coach plan is no longer in sync between the iPhone app and my watch. After finishing a workout, it is no longer marked as completed in the app - instead, an additional, completed workout are added next to the original one which is left as unfinished.

New workouts are also not appearing in the list on the app, only on the watch. The race I'm training for is just two weeks away, so I don't really want to try deleting and re-adding it as I'm supposed to start tapering down in a few days and I don't want to risk messing things up. Any suggestions on how to fix this?

RE: Garmin Run Coach no longer in sync with app after firmware update

RichardB — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:42:31 GMT

I presume you tried the obvious such as signing out then back in of the Garmin app? Doing a soft reset of the watch?

Can't play/stop music

6027244 — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 10:14:38 GMT

The play/stop button won't work with Music Control. I can adjust the volume and go to the next/previous track, but when I hit play, it immediately stops. I used this option constantly with my Phoenix 6s and it's driving me crazy, please help.

Turn of turn-by-turn audio prompts through iPhone

5353408 — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 07:16:38 GMT

Hi, I like to have my Garmin F965 on turn-by-turn navigation so it beeps but since last summer if I have my iPhone on sound it speaks the navigation as well. I have tried to disabled all audio prompts and also the turn-by-turn navigation but have not found a solutoin for only removing the speaking from my iPhone. Any ideas? Thanks!

RE: Turn of turn-by-turn audio prompts through iPhone

8930577 — Sun, 30 Aug 2026 18:54:01 GMT

Unfortunately this is a bug, disguised as a feature by Garmin. Everyone hates it, but they have not reverted the change, nor have they added an option to separately enable/disable the TTS prompts. See this thread for more discussion on the topic.

If disabling bluetooth on the watch is an option for you, then that makes sure the phone cannot make the audio prompts. Otherwise you're SOL...

RE: Forerunner 965 issues after update

Pellettiere — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 12:47:04 GMT

I just tried this and it works. I started the activity when it couldn’t acquire the signal, powered off the watch while the activity was running, turned it back on then resumed the activity, then stopped and discarded and started a new one and I had a gps signal. Yes, it took a minute or so, but was far shorter than the 10-40 minutes time to acquire otherwise. This tells me that it is a software problem!

Forerunner 965 issues after update

Pellettiere — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:55:22 GMT

Since the latest update my 965 has struggled to get a GPS lock. I've gone on my normal routes and during one 35 minute run it never got a signal. Then today, it was about 30 minutes into the run it for a signal. I've reset and reconnected and nothing. This only started after the update to 28.05.

The previous update had made my HR sensor unreliable. I start my run and it jumps to 150 then maybe 10-15 minutes later it's back down. On other activities it's reading maybe 60 BPM, but by other methods im easily double that.

With these two issues it's become nothing more than a stop watch ( an expensive one at that!)

Any thoughts on what to try before I do something drastic?

Wrist-based heart rate reliability worse since new updates

anic17 — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 16:05:01 GMT

Since one month ago or so, my Garmin Forerunner 965 has been tracking my heart rate deceptively bad, considering its price, both in running; have had cadence locks for 20 minutes, normal HR values and when pausing it goes back to cadence lock and surprisingly, for indoor cycling, where there's no arm movement at all.

This seems to happen more when I start the activity with a heart rate more elevated than usual, and then reports around 115-125 when the HR as checked by a chest strap is around 165-170.

I am aware that wrist-based heart rate is not the most accurate thing, but it is honestly too bad for the price I paid for it and considering that HR is the base metric for all other estimations and data (calories, VO2Max, training load, endurance score, RHR, HRV, stress, intensity minutes).

Any fixes, to recalibrate the sensor (apart from using a chest strap, which isn't always available)? Removing the watch and putting it again does not work.

RE: Wrist-based heart rate reliability worse since new updates

9352019 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 19:37:44 GMT

It’s unbelievably bad. I will just be sitting on my couch and glance down at my heart rate and the Garmin watch says 150bpm. I’ll be doing something as simple as the stationary bike or stair climber, and it has the inability to catch on for up to 15 minutes at times. Given how much the watch relies on heart rate for metrics, it’s a waste of money, I’m going back to the Apple Watch.

RE: I bought a Garmin FR 965 watch; I used to have a Polar. I have two questions! How do I transfer scheduled workouts from TrainingPeaks to Garmin Connect? How do I transfer all my old workouts and results from Polar Flow to Garmin Connect?

1856814 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:11:46 GMT

TrainingPeaks simply needs to be allowed access to Garmin. See here: https://help.trainingpeaks.com/hc/en-us/articles/204070854-How-to-Sync-Garmin-Connect-With-TrainingPeaks

For the Polar issue, I used an iOs app called rungap to sync my old workouts.

I bought a Garmin FR 965 watch; I used to have a Polar. I have two questions! How do I transfer scheduled workouts from TrainingPeaks to Garmin Connect? How do I transfer all my old workouts and results from Polar Flow to Garmin Connect?

2050644 — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 07:56:54 GMT

I bought a Garmin FR 965 watch; I used to have a Polar. I have two questions! How do I transfer scheduled workouts from TrainingPeaks to Garmin Connect? How do I transfer all my old workouts and results from Polar Flow to Garmin Connect?

After firmware update brightness very low on screen when outside - part 2

EmBer — Thu, 21 May 2026 12:01:58 GMT

Ok, few days later factory reset display brightness is low again.

I supposed to solve with new factory reset, but without success.

At reset, I can clearly see gear and green bar increasing (so I suppose no damaged display), but starting with blu triangle following I get no brightness.

Update:

Got fw update few minutes ago (May, 23), FwVer 28.03, now display brightness is back.

Let's keep fingers crossed...

Update:

Less than 24 hour from firmware update, display is off again.

Reset to factory has no effect again.

RE: After firmware update brightness very low on screen when outside - part 2

Jacquers — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 15:00:42 GMT

Not possible.

Feature Request: Double-Tap Screen Zoom for Improved Readability

EmilioME72 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 12:42:10 GMT

I would like to suggest adding a screen zoom function to Garmin touchscreen watches, specifically designed to improve readability for users who are not wearing their reading glasses.

Suggested functionality:

- A double tap on the touchscreen would temporarily activate a zoom mode.
- The content currently displayed on the watch face would be enlarged, for example by 1.5× or 2×.
- The zoom should work on the current watch face and, ideally, on data screens and widgets as well.
- A second double tap could return the display to its normal size.
- The zoom function could optionally be configurable in the watch settings, including the zoom level and activation method.

This would be particularly useful for users with presbyopia or reduced near-vision, who can normally read the watch perfectly well but may have difficulty reading small characters without their reading glasses.

A smartwatch is frequently checked in situations where putting on reading glasses is impractical or impossible—for example during exercise, walking, cycling, driving or outdoor activities.

This would be a relatively simple software feature that could significantly improve the accessibility and usability of Garmin touchscreen devices.

I believe a temporary, user-activated zoom would be a valuable addition to the Garmin user interface.

RE: After firmware update brightness very low on screen when outside - part 2

5381219 — Fri, 28 Aug 2026 11:30:11 GMT

Hello friends, is it possible to forcefully set the display brightness in the firmware itself, to make a custom firmware?

Headphone stutter after 10 minutes, even with 29.05

foobarbaz123 — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:12:17 GMT

---

I have a brand new Forerunner 965, updated to the latest software version (29.05) and am experiencing severe bluetooth headphone audio stuttering after 10 minutes. The only "solution" seems to be to disconnect/reconnect the headphones, which temporarily resolves the stuttering, only for it to return 10 minutes later.

I'm using Soundcore Life A1 (TWS) earbuds that are up-to date software-wise. I have used them for over a year without issue with my old Forerunner 645M. I've never had connection issues with the buds pairing with my phone or laptop, or my old Forerunner, so the 965 or its software is the obvious suspect.

I've been able to somewhat reliably reproduce the issue in an isolated environment: with the watch on my desk in front of me (~ 30cm from my earbuds) and all other bluetooth devices disabled. If I disconnect/reconnect the headphones from the watch, then listen to music, I get stuttering at around 10 minutes.

My testing has involved listening to the same few albums over and over and combinations of the following:

1. Hard-resetting the headphones
2. Placing the headphones back in their case between tests
3. Toggling off/on the headphones via the watch between tests
4. Using only one earbud with the other in the case

and nothing seems to consistently reproduce/not the issue, but I am getting stuttering in the majority of my tests.

Are there any effective solutions been found to this issue? I'm happy to try whatever troubleshooting Garmin can advise.

Audio prompt bug after update to 29.05

7437613 — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 13:52:41 GMT

After installing the new update tonight, my watch is announcing lap completion too early. For example the audio prompt says "Lap 4" while the watch screen still shows a distance of 3.13

Forerunner 965 Series - 29.05 - 100%

Garmin-Kevin — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 17:49:29 GMT

Software Version 29.05 is now available for the Forerunner 965 Series. You may manually download this software update by following the path below:

Menu > System > Software Update > Check For Updates

Change Log

Fix an issue with syncing strength personal records to Garmin Connect.
Fix an issue with configuring heart rate and power fields from Garmin Connect Mobile.
Various bug fixes and improvements.

Training Load, HRV Status, Endurance Score disappeared after GPS/time glitch (Forerunner 965, v28.05)

5402398 — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:45:28 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm experiencing a strange issue with my Forerunner 965 (software 28.05) and I'm wondering if anyone has seen something similar.

This is what happened:

During an outdoor walk, the watch suddenly jumped to a different city.
Right after that, the watch time became incorrect.
I restarted the watch.
Since then, several physiological metrics have stopped working correctly.

What's still working:

All activities are present.
Every activity still has a valid Training Effect and Training Load.
VO2 Max is unchanged.
Sleep, heart rate, stress and nightly HRV values are all recorded correctly.

What's broken:

Acute Training Load = 0
Training Status = Detraining
Endurance Score reset
Hill Score reset
HRV Status (7-day average) disappeared

The most interesting part is that the raw data is still there.

For example, nightly HRV values are available for the past month, but the 7-day HRV graph restarted from yesterday, as if all previous history is ignored.

The same applies to Training Load: individual activities contain valid Training Load values, but Acute Load remains 0.

I've already tried:

Restarting the watch
Garmin Express sync
Garmin Connect sync
Verified date, time and time zone

No change so far.

Has anyone experienced this before?

Is there any way to force a rebuild/recalculation of physiological metrics from the existing data without performing a factory reset?

Thanks!