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VA3 stuck in a boot loop (Garmin logo) - How to reset to factory - HELP!

Hi all,

After reseting to watch defaults / factory (using the watch menu) I then reconnected my watch on GarminExpress via USB and Synced (resintall app, watch face etc). Once the Sync was completed, I disconnect the watch.
The watch restart (no gear nor progression bar) and is now forever stuck in a boot loop (Garmin Logo only + Vibration every 20 sec (as if it can't complete the boot process so it keeps re-trying to start until the battery dies).

I tried to switch off (15 sec press) and then connect to USB to let it restart doesn't fix it... still boot loop... My PC tells me that the USB device is not recognised and could not connect.
Garmin Express doesn't see the watch and adding a new device doesn't find it.

For info, the apps / widget / datafield I installed were:
- Hike2 (app)
- Heart Rate Zones Chart (data field)
- GGain (watch Face)
- JMG-WGT Zone HR (Widget)

How can I reset the watch with only the watch itself ???
Is there a magic button "hold" / screen touch / side swipe touch formula which will force the watch to completely reset???
Please help...

Support suggested to return the watch to the retailer under warranty... the VA3 slate is out of stock, 4 weeks delay!!!
Also, I am concerned that if this happened while out of warranty, I just wasted £300.00! (a bit of a big gamble in that case, with the constant fear of what if this were to happen again)!

Please HELP... Garmin techies, please?

Tony.

0 SvenvdMeer over 7 years ago

I've sent back my smartwatch and received a new one. Hopefully Garmin will be able to fix this in a firmware update real soon. I've had some reboots after syncing my smartwatch but luckily it did not get stuck in a bootloop.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

After following all the recommendations on here, I still had no luck. Had to get a replacement from Garmin.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Had the same situation after trying to install a watch face, took it to the Garmin service centre in Hong Kong, I was prepared that they would just give me a new one, yet immediately they told me that there is a "master reset"! And it worked! The guy was even kind enough to print me th reset instruction, so here it is guys and girls, give it a go.

Press to turn on with Logo -> Release then press and hold (quickly!)
Release when it vibrates 2 times, wait for 3rd vibration then press and hold until the 4th vibration

I"m really disappointed at Garmin that they just didn't care to answer this thread, obviously there is a way to master reset the watch.

0 riow over 7 years ago

Had the same situation after trying to install a watch face, took it to the Garmin service centre in Hong Kong, I was prepared that they would just give me a new one, yet immediately they told me that there is a "master reset"! And it worked! The guy was even kind enough to print me th reset instruction, so here it is guys and girls, give it a go.

Press to turn on with Logo -> Release then press and hold (quickly!)
Release when it vibrates 2 times, wait for 3rd vibration then press and hold until the 4th vibration

I"m really disappointed at Garmin that they just didn't care to answer this thread, obviously there is a way to master reset the watch.

I didn't notice your reply, and I took it to the HK Garmin service centre today who did the same thing to my VA3 and it revived now. This is my first Garmin watch that impressed me terribly. I previously had a thought to buy the most advanced Fenix 5X, but I was told that it might face the same unstable condition and be bricked. The forum here didn't show me a good Garmin support at a critical moment for users.

0 Former Member over 7 years ago

Hi all,

Unfortunately, this "master reset" didn't help to my whatch. After the 4th vibration they are still in a "boot loop" condition.

Are there any other solutions to reboot the whatch?

0 krishnakp over 6 years ago

Hi All....even my VA3 is stuck in bootloop and even connecting to PC with garmin express doesn't seem to be helping as it is not able to detect VA3 itself :(
I tried 30+ sec restart but that also didn't work.
tried Multi vibration step as mentioned above but that also no use....
any suggestions on what to do next, isn't there any way we can hard reset this device.

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Hi All....even my VA3 is stuck in bootloop and even connecting to PC with garmin express doesn't seem to be helping as it is not able to detect VA3 itself :(
I tried 30+ sec restart but that also didn't work.
tried Multi vibration step as mentioned above but that also no use....
any suggestions on what to do next, isn't there any way we can hard reset this device.

Same here. Just bought mine today, immediately hooked it up to Garmin Express to update, and it froze after the update. Blue triangle of death. Tried all the above mentioned tricks, still blue triangle. Garmin Express can't find it, either

EDIT:: THE button trick worked. But to add to it, after the 4th vibration, you need to release. Then there will be a 5th vibration and the unit rebooted fine. I did the updates again and everything is working fine now.

Matt

0 bernardo647 over 4 years ago

Same Problem here. My VA is stuck into the boot loop and will not work anymore. Also, it is not recognized by the computer and there is nothing I can do. Already tried all the reset options I could find.

0 jonesrob51 over 3 years ago

Fenix 3HR great watch does everything I want, but suddenly I’m getting the Garmin logo boot loop. I tried the hard reset and then thought back to the last time it worked correctly. I remembered that I uploaded 2 apps. I removed the 2 apps and cleared my history and now it works great.

0 bernardo647 over 3 years ago in reply to jonesrob51

How do you remove the app? Can you give us a step-by-step guide?