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Unable to get a GPS Fix - How can I tell if it's a hardware issue?

9876211
over 3 years ago

My VA3 is totally unable to get a GPS fix. I've tried all the recommendations - updating to SW version 7.80, soft and hard resets, using GLONASS and GALILEO, refreshing the EPO file... the works. My question is - how can I substantively tell if it's a hardware issue? Is there a test I can run?

  • +1 over 3 years ago

    The device has a test mode including GPS where it shows the signal strength of the GPS (at least that is what I think, since it changes from 16 in the living room to 30 outside the house). 

    You can test if the sensor is functioning at all.

    From Garmin:

     (Accessing Test Mode doesn't erase anything.

    To access Test Mode:

    1. With unit in “off” state, turn the unit on
    2. As soon as the display turns on, press and hold the button
    3. Wait for the unit to vibrate 3 times and release the button (there will be a long gap between the second and third vibrations). The unit will then enter test mode.

    o    vivoactive 3: Press the button a number of times to access the GPS Test screen

    To exit Forced Test Mode:

    1. Press the button (multiple times)
    2. You should see the screen "Press and hold the power button to disable forced test mode"
    3. As directed, press and hold the power button until the Garmin triangle appears, indicating the device is powering back to normal mode.
  • 0 over 3 years ago in reply to hhasert

    Thanks for the tip. I tried it with two Vivoactive 3 devices side by side. One picked up GPS readings as high as 36 while mine stayed blank the entire time. It looks pretty certain that it's a hardware issue.