Why is the Battery on my Brand New Automotive Device Not Charged?

Your device will arrive with the battery discharged in compliance with regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA). 

The device will power on and operate with a discharged battery while plugged in with the provided vehicle power cable. Go to the Support Center if the device doesn't turn on after plugging into the vehicle. Enter your device model and select the "Power and Charging" common topic to find troubleshooting steps.

Use your device with the included vehicle power cable for several hours before attempting to connect to the computer or using the device on battery power. This will charge the battery to an acceptable level for the computer/Garmin Express to recognize your device.

Or, plug your device into a 2A or greater USB Power Adapter (not included with the device) and allow the device to fully charge for a minimum of 6 hours before plugging the device into a computer with a USB cable.

It is best to always have the device plugged in when being used. The device will charge while it is plugged into power. The only way to tell if it is fully charged is to have it unplugged from power. For more info see: How Can I Tell Whether My Automotive Device is Charging?.

This Video is a Quick and Easy way to Learn about Charging your Device.

Other Helpful Information About Battery Charging:

USB Charging of Automotive Devices.

Charging an Automotive Device.

Charging Factors for an Automotive Device.

External Power Options for Wireless Updates.

Visit the product page on the Garmin website to check the device's expected battery life. Search for your device by entering the model number in the Search Garmin.com field.  Select the Specs tab for Battery Life information once the device is selected.