Select your product to confirm this information applies to you
Troubleshooting Wireless Updates on an Automotive GPS Navigator
See the Wi-Fi troubleshooting below if you are unable to successfully complete a wireless map or software update with your home Wi-Fi network. You may receive the message "Unable to connect to the update server."
You may see an exclamation point (!) on the Wi-Fi symbol on your device if it's not connected to a Wi-Fi network. The exclamation point will show anytime the device has a Saved Network it detects but cannot connect to or has not yet connected to. It may also show if it cannot detect an internet connection from the Wi-Fi network, or if a "No Data Connection" message is received.
NOTE: See Reinstall or Change Map on an Automotive Device if your map is missing and/or your device does not give the option to update the maps after a failed map update via Wi-Fi.
- Reinstalling the maps is not available via Wi-Fi and must be done by plugging the device into a computer and using the Garmin Express™ software.
See Minimum and Maximum Password Lengths for Wi-Fi Networks for more information.
NOTE: Hidden Networks are not compatible.
Not all captive portals will be compatible with Garmin devices.
- See Using a Wi-Fi Device on a Captive Portal for additional information.
Below are the Wi-Fi-related specifications for Garmin automotive devices with Wi-Fi capability. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be used as long as it meets the following requirements.
- Supported Frequency: 2.4 GHz only
- Security: Unencrypted, WEP, WPA, and WPA2
The time displayed on your device must be accurate to properly communicate with our update services. This time is automatically set when you receive a satellite signal.
A satellite signal is required before attempting a Wi-Fi update if the device has just been turned on for the first time and hasn't been used for navigation.
- Take the device outside in clear view of the sky until it obtains a signal.
A satellite signal should not be necessary for later updates if the time is displayed accurately on the device. Obtain a signal again if the time on the device becomes inaccurate.
See Automotive Device Isn't Acquiring Satellites if your device is unable to acquire a satellite signal.
It is important to ensure the latest system software is installed to ensure the best device performance. These updates can be installed with Garmin Express if you are unable to successfully complete them with Wi-Fi.
See the detailed video below to learn about Wi-Fi connections for updates.
A wireless connection to home high-speed internet (e.g. fiber, cable, DSL, etc.) is required to successfully complete a Wi-Fi update.
- Connections with data caps or restrictions should not be used due to the size of a map update.
- Slower connections (e.g. satellite, fixed wireless, dial-up, etc.) and mobile broadband (e.g. MiFi, AirCard, cell phone tethering, etc.) should not be used.
External power is required in order to perform a Wi-Fi update. See External Power Options for Wireless Updates
To Forget the Wi-Fi Network:
- Touch Settings
- Touch Wireless Networks
- Touch Wi-Fi
- Touch the desired network
- Touch FORGET
To Add a Wi-Fi Network:
- Touch Settings
- Touch Wireless Networks
- Touch Wi-Fi
- Touch the desired network
- Enter the password to the Wi-Fi network if prompted
Attempt the update again after reconnecting to the network.
There may be a problem with your internet connection if the update is stopped, slow, or disconnecting. A common troubleshooting tool is to reset your Wi-Fi router. This can generally be done by unplugging the router for 30 seconds and then reconnecting.
Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for additional troubleshooting if your wireless router continues to have network connectivity issues.
- Touch Settings on the gps device main screen
- Swipe the page up, then touch Personal
- Touch Device Reset
- Touch Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth
- Touch Reset Settings
- Touch Reset Settings again
This will reset all network settings, including Wi-Fi, Mobile data, and Bluetooth
Attempt the update again after reconnecting to the network.
If you're device won't update via Wi-Fi, Product Support may request Wi-Fi update logs be recorded. These logs can help Garmin Product Support determine the cause of the issue. Contact Product Support to report the issue and determine if Wi-Fi logs are needed.
To Export the Logs:
Touch Settings
Touch About Device
Touch the Build Number field several times rapidly- approximately 8 times
This will enable a Developer Options section
Return to the device's Settings menu
Touch Developer Options
Touch Collect Logs
Touch Choose Log Types
Uncheck Logcat
Select Garmin Update
Touch OK
Touch Generate Logs
Touch OK
To Send the Logs:
Note: A Windows computer must be used to view the internal contents of these devices. See Automotive Device Compatibility with Garmin Mac Applications on macOS.
Connect the device to your computer with a USB cable
Press the Windows Key (
) + EClick This PC (Windows 10 only)
Open the device drive
Open Internal Shared Storage
Open the LogCollection folder
This folder will only be present after following the previous steps to record and export logs
Open the zip files folder
- Upload the files to Product Support following the instructions here: Sending a File, Folder, or Video to Garmin Product Support.
To Disable the Developer Options:
Open the device's Settings menu
Touch Developer Options
Touch the toggle switch
on the top right to turn it offTouch OK
NOTE: Do not enable logging unless your device is having a Wi-Fi map update related issue. Constantly recording logs can unnecessarily fill up the internal memory of your device.
First, it is necessary to enable logging.
To Enable Logging on the Device:
Open the device's Settings menu
Touch About Device
Touch the Build Number field several times rapidly - approximately 8 times
This will enable a Developer Options section.
Return to the device's Settings menu
Touch Developer Options
In the Debugging section, set Enable Android Logger to "Always Running"
The device will now be recording logs. While logging is enabled, if the device gives an error or doesn't complete a Wi-Fi update, details surrounding the event will be recorded in the background and saved in the logs. Try to use the device normally.
If the issue occurs again, export and send the logs.
To Export the Logs:
Touch Settings
Touch Developer Options
Touch Collect Logs
Ensure that Collect All Logcat Logs is unchecked
Touch Choose Log Types
Uncheck Logcat
Select Garmin Update
Touch OK
Touch Generate Logs
Touch OK
To Send the Logs:
Note: A Windows computer must be used to view the internal contents of these devices. See Automotive Device Compatibility with Garmin Mac Applications on macOS.
Connect the device to your computer with a USB cable
Press the Windows Key (
) + EClick This PC (Windows 10 only)
Open the device drive
Open Internal Storage
Open the LogCollection folder
This folder will only be present after following the previous steps to record and export logs
Open the zip files folder
- Upload the files to Product Support following the instructions here: Sending a File, Folder, or Video to Garmin Product Support.
To Disable Logging on the Device:
Open the device's Settings menu
Touch Developer Options
If this is no longer an option, touch About Device then tap the Build Number field several times rapidly - approximately 8 times
This will enable the Developer Options section.
In the Debugging section, set Enable Android Logger to "Off"
The device will now stop recording logs.
Updates will need to be done using a computer if the above steps do not resolve the issue. Go to the Support Center and enter the product name or the serial number of your device. Once your device is selected, click in the search box and search for “Updating Automotive Maps and Software with Garmin Express".