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Troubleshooting inReach Sync for the inReach Explorer and SE

When connecting the inReach Explorer® satellite communicator or inReach SE® satellite communicator to your computer to sync or update, the device should indicate it is charging, and the inReach® Sync desktop app should display a color image of the connected device. For specific steps on syncing, refer to the Install inReach Sync section below.

If the inReach Sync app fails to establish a connection between an inReach Explorer or SE and your computer, use the troubleshooting steps below. For specific inReach Sync errors, see Related .

IMPORTANT: Mac users may need to be under the admin user profile for inReach Sync to work properly. For how to switch profiles, see - Apple Support - Switch Quickly Between Users on Mac. If further assistance is needed with this process, contact Apple Support.

Install inReach Sync

To sync data from the Garmin Explore™ website to an inReach® satellite communicator using a computer, the inReach Sync Desktop App should be installed on a Windows or Mac computer.

  1. Log into Garmin Explore website.

  2. Select Plans & Devices tab.

  3. Select Sync & Update.

  4. Select the Windows or Mac link below inReach Sync Desktop App.

    • An installation file will be downloaded.

  5. Locate the file on your computer and run it.

    • Windows: The file will usually be located in the Downloads folder.

    • Mac: The file should appear on the Desktop.

  6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete installation.

For steps on updating inReach firmware and syncing account changes, see - Updating inReach Firmware and Syncing Account Changes with inReach Sync.

Confirm Your Login Information in inReach Sync

In order to sync any account related information or settings, you must log in to inReach Sync with the e-mail address associated with the inReach device. If you are not logged in, or if you are logged in with the wrong e-mail address, an error will typically occur. For more details and steps for logging out and back in, see - Unknown Device Error When Using inReach Sync.

Different USB Port

Many inReach® Sync issues are the fault of a problematic or faulty USB port. Before proceeding with any additional troubleshooting steps first re-connect the inReach to a different USB port on your computer and re-open inReach Sync to test to confirm if the issue has been resolved.

NOTE: If using a desktop computer make sure to connect the inReach device to a USB port located on the back of the computer tower. Do not use a USB hub connection if at all possible.

Different USB Cable

An inReach® satellite communicator uses a non-proprietary micro-USB to USB connector cable to communicate with the inReach Sync program. If inReach Sync cannot connect to the inReach device after completing the above steps, test the connection between the inReach device and computer with a different micro-USB to USB cable. When looking for a cable to test with remember that many other electronic devices such as some phones or cameras use same connectors to communicate with a computer.

The inReach Sync icon and/or the inReach device icon will appear faded if there is an issue with USB cable.

NOTE: When selecting a micro-USB to USB cable for the inReach Sync connection make sure that the cable is advertised as working as both a charger and a data transfer cable. If the cable is only rated for power transfer and charging the inReach Sync program will not recognize the connected inReach device. 

Soft Reset the inReach

  1. Press and hold X and Down.

    Red Squares around X and Down Arrow Buttons

  2. Release X and Down when the inReach device powers off.

  3. Power on the inReach device.

  4. Connect the inReach device to the computer, if not already connected.

  5. Open inReach Sync and test to confirm that the issue has been resolved.

Firmware Update Mode

  1. Power off the inReach device and disconnect it from the computer.

  2. Press and hold X, Check, and Down simultaneously.

    Red Squares around X, Down Arrow and Checkmark Buttons

  3. The device will power on into Firmware Update Mode.

    Firmware Update Message

  4. Connect your device to the computer.

  5. Open inReach Sync and test to confirm that the issue has been resolved.

    • NOTE: When inReach Sync recognizes your device, the app will display a message that the firmware on the device is corrupt. Click Yes to proceed with the firmware update and Sync.

Uninstall/Reinstall inReach Sync

Windows Vista/7

  1. Click on Start.

  2. Select Control Panel.

  3. Select Uninstall a program.

  4. Find the application called inReach Sync.

  5. Select Uninstall.

  6. Restart the computer.

Windows 8.1/10

  1. Right-click on the Start menu.

  2. Select Apps & Features.

  3. Find the application called inReach Sync.

  4. Select Uninstall.

  5. Restart the computer.

Windows 11

  1. Right-click on the Start menu.

  2. Select Installed apps.

  3. Find the application called inReach Sync.

  4. Select Three Dots Professional, then Uninstall.

  5. Restart the computer.

Mac

  1. In Finder, go to the Go menu on the top menu bar.

  2. Select Applications.

  3. Find inReach Sync.

  4. Click/drag to the Trash Can to remove.

  5. Empty the Trash Can.

  6. Restart the computer.

Once completed, follow the steps below to download and install inReach® Sync.

  1. Log into Garmin Explore website.

  2. Select Plans & Devices tab.

  3. Select Sync & Update.

  4. Select the Windows or Mac link below inReach Sync Desktop App.

    • An installation file will be downloaded.

  5. Locate the file on your computer and run it.

    • Windows: The file will usually be located in the Downloads folder.

    • Mac: The file should appear on the Desktop.

  6. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete installation.

NOTE: Be sure to reboot or restart your computer after the app has been reinstalled.

Device Factory Reset

IMPORTANT: A factory reset deletes all contact, message, waypoint, route, and logging data stored on an inReach device. Only use this option if you have tried all of the previous potential solutions. Before resetting the device try pairing and syncing using the Earthmate® app, see below . 

  1. Turn on the inReach device.

  2. Select Settings.

    Location of Settings in the Menu

  3. Select Restore Factory Settings.

    Location of Restore Factory Settings

  4. Select Reset.

    Location of Reset Option

    • NOTE: The inReach device will reboot.

  5. After the unit reboots, connect the inReach device to the computer.

  6. Open inReach Sync and test to confirm that the issue has been resolved.

As an alternative, if you still are unable to sync using the inReach Sync desktop app, you can try pairing and syncing using the Earthmate app. For steps, see - Pairing Instructions for Earthmate Compatible inReach Devices and Syncing inReach Account Changes with the Earthmate App.

If you are looking for troubleshooting steps for inReach Sync with other inReach models, select the model here: inReach Explorer+ and SE+ or inReach Mini.

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