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Garmin Watch Not Detected by Garmin Express on a Windows Computer

USB communication issues can prevent your Garmin® outdoor watch from being detected by the Garmin Express™ program.

Below are items to check and troubleshooting steps to try.

Force Quitting Garmin Express Program

Option 1

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Escape on the keyboard.

  2. Select Yes to allow Task Manager to make changes to the computer if prompted.

  3. Select Garmin Express from the list of programs.

  4. Select End Task.

Option 2

  1. Right-click Garmin Express program's icon in the system tray (next to the clock).

    • You may need to click on the up arrow to see all icons.

  2. Select Quit.

The Garmin Express program will now be closed.

Verify Your Watch Displays the Connection Icon

Most watches will display an icon on the screen indicating that the watch is communicating with your computer. The display should look similar to the image below.   

Watch USB Connection

NOTE: The watch does not have enough power to communicate with the computer if the display is blank or only shows a Blank battery icon transparent battery icon when connected to the computer. See article What Can I Use to Charge the Battery of My Garmin Device?.

Recognizing the USB Connection

The watch will display as a removable disk or portable device when it is properly connected to a Windows computer.

Verify That Windows Detects the Watch

  1. Connect the watch to the computer.

  2. Press the Windows Key (Windows start button) + E.

  3. Select This PC (Windows 10 only).

Garmin watches will be listed under Devices and drives in Windows 10. Garmin watches will be listed under Devices with Removable Storage or Portable Devices in older versions of Windows. 

Windows 10 Example

Red boxes around found device under Devices and drives

Watch Does Not Display the Connection Screen or Display as a Drive in Windows

Try the steps below if your watch does not display the connection screen, does not appear as a drive in Windows, or appears as an "unknown device" in the Windows Device Manager.

Try a Different USB Cable

  • Try a Garmin branded cable, if available.

  • If a new cable must be purchased, ensure that the cable is a USB Data Cable and not a USB Charging Cable.

Outdoor watch charging data cable

Ensure That the USB Port is Working Properly

  • Try a different USB port on your computer and/or test the USB port with a different USB device.

  • Avoid connecting through a USB hub, USB extension cable, keyboard, or monitor.

  • On desktop computers, use the USB ports on the back of your computer.

  • Avoid using a PowerShare USB port.
    • Contact your computer manufacturer if you are unsure whether your computer uses PowerShare ports.

Laptop

Garmin device plugged into a laptop via USB cable

Desktop

USB cable plugged into the back of a computer tower

Disable USB Selective Suspend

USB Selective Suspend will limit power to connected USB devices, including your Garmin device. It can potentially cause recognition problems.

Disabling USB Selective Suspend

  1. Unplug your watch from the computer.

  2. On the computer, open Control Panel.

  3. Ensure View by is set to Category.
    View by category

  4. Select Hardware and Sound.
    Red box around Hardware and Sound

  5. Select Power Options.
    Red box around Power Options

  6. Select Change Plan Settings next to the currently selected power plan.

    Red box around Change plan settings

  7. Select Change Advanced Power Settings.
    Red box around Change advanced power settings

  8. Expand USB settings.
    Red box around expand option next to USB settings

  9. Expand USB selective suspend settings.
    Red box around expand option next to USB selective suspend settings

  10. Select Settings

  11. Select Disabled from the drop-down menu.

    • On a laptop, select Disabled for both "On battery" and "Plugged in"

      Red box around Settings

  12. Select OK.
    red box around Ok

  13. Plug your watch back into the computer.

Restart the Computer and Try Again

Plug the watch into the computer before restarting.

Watch Is Recognized by the Computer but Not by Garmin Express Program

Ensure Garmin Express Is Up to Date

  1. Select the Gear Wheel (Settings) in Garmin Express.

  2. Select About.

  3. Select Check for Updates to Express.

  4. Select Install Now and follow the prompts if there is an update available.

Remove the Device and Add It Back

  1. Select Home.

  2. Right-click your watch.

  3. Select Remove from Express.

  4. Select Remove.

  5. Select Add a Device.

  6. When the watch is found, select Add Device.

  7. Follow the on-screen prompts to add your watch back to Express.

Uninstall and Reinstall Garmin Express

Restart the Computer

Plug the watch into the computer before restarting.

Run Garmin Express as an Administrator

Windows Only: Run Garmin Express as an Administrator:

The error may be caused by permissions issues for Garmin Express. Running as an administrator may resolve this:

 Run as admin

If These Steps Did Not Resolve the Issue

Visit the Garmin Express section of Support Center and you will find the available Product Support contact options in the Contact Us for More Help section. 

Contact Us for More Help