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Automotive Device Not Detected by Garmin BaseCamp on a Mac Computer

USB communication issues can prevent your Garmin device from being detected by Garmin BaseCamp™.

Verify no Other Garmin Applications are Running on the Mac

When Connected to a Mac, These Devices Will Only be Recognized or Detected by one Application at a Time

For example, if the Garmin Express™ software is open and has detected the device, opening Garmin BaseCamp at the same time will result in BaseCamp being unable to find the device until both applications are completely closed and the desired application is re-opened.

Note: Non-Garmin applications such as Android File Transfer recognizing the device could also cause this interference.  It is recommended to quit all applications running that are not necessary.    

To Force Quit Garmin Express or Garmin BaseCamp on Mac:

  1. Press Command + Option + Escape on the keyboard
  2. Select Garmin Express or Garmin BaseCamp from the list of applications
  3. Click Force Quit

Note: A second set of instructions may be required to force quit Garmin Express.  

  1. Select the Triangle icon in the upper right corner and click Quit
  2. Click Quit again

The Garmin Express or Garmin BaseCamp program will now be closed.

To Keep Garmin Express From Opening when the Computer is Powered on or when a Garmin Device is Connected to the Computer:

  1. Click on Garmin Express by the Apple icon
  2. Click Preferences or Settings
  3. Remove the check mark from the following boxes: 

    • "Always keep Garmin Express running in the background."

    • "Automatically launch Garmin Express when a Garmin device is connected."

Note: Removing the check marks will disable the ability for Garmin Express to automatically launch and perform syncs to a device using Garmin Connect. 

Restart the computer after making these changes.

Verify your Device is Properly Connected

Most devices will display an icon on the screen indicating that the device is communicating with your computer.

No icon will be displayed on the following Garmin devices when connected to the computer:

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The Camper 795, RV 795, CamperCam 795, RVcam 795, dēzl™ LGV610, dēzl™ OTR610, dēzl™ LGV710, dēzl™ OTR710, dēzlCam™ LGV710, dēzlCam™ OTR710, Garmin Drive™ 53 GPS navigator and all Garmin Drive™  53 series, Garmin DriveCam™ 76, Garmin DriveSmart™ 66, Garmin DriveSmart™ 76, and Garmin DriveSmart™ 86 require additional steps to display the connections icon.

1. Select Tap to Connect to Computer

    • If you do not select Tap to Connect to Computer this choice will eventually go away, you will then need to select Settings first.

2. Select Tap to Connect to Computer again

 

3. Select Continue

 

You should now see the connection icon.

Connect the USB Cable Directly to Your Garmin Device and not the Mount (USB Ports on Mounts are for Charging Only)

USB Ports on the back of a Garmin Automotive GPS unit

NOTE: The device doesn't have enough power to communicate with the computer if the display is blank or only shows a battery icon when connected to the computer. Charge the device while driving using the vehicle power cable to ensure it has enough power.

Device does not Display the Connection Icon

Try a Different USB Cable

 Micro USB cable ends 

    Mini USB Cable             Micro USB Cable          USB-C Cable

Ensure 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
  • Check for visible signs of damage to the USB port on the device such as a loose or sagging cable connection.

 

Laptop                         Desktop

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Restart the Computer and Try Again

  1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar
  2. Click Restart...
  3. Click Restart to confirm

Device is Recognized by the Garmin Express™ Software but not Garmin BaseCamp

See Garmin BaseCamp Not Detecting Devices on Mac Catalina 10.15 or Big Sur 11.0 if you are on Mac Catalina or Big Sur.

Other programs may be actively communicating with your device while it is plugged into a computer. Try closing out other Garmin applications that may be reading your device. 

  • Example: If Garmin BaseCamp is not seeing your device, but Garmin Express is, close Garmin Express. 

To Force Quit Garmin Express or Garmin BaseCamp on Mac:

  1. Press Command + Option + Escape on the keyboard
  2. Select Garmin Express or Garmin BaseCamp from the list of applications
  3. Click Force Quit

Note: A second set of instructions may be required to force quit Garmin Express.

  1. Select the Triangle icon in the upper right corner and click Quit
  2. Click Quit again

The Garmin Express or Garmin BaseCamp program will now be closed.

See below if other programs are not interfering:

Ensure BaseCamp is Up to Date

  1. Click Garmin BaseCamp in the menu bar
  2. Click About Garmin BaseCamp
  3. Click Check for Updates to BaseCamp
    Note:     Check for Updates will not be an option if BaseCamp up to date.
  4. Click Install Now and follow the prompts if an update available

Ensure the Garmin is Up to Date

  1. Open Garmin Express
  2. Add or Select your Garmin
  3. Click Install Now if any updates are available
  4. Follow the prompts in Garmin Express to complete the update

For More Help:

Visit the Garmin BaseCamp section of Support Center and you will find the available Product Support contact options in the Contact an Expert section.

Contact Us for More Help