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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.

Minimum Password Requirements

See Minimum and Maximum Password Lengths for Wi-Fi Networks for more information.

Wi-Fi Specifications

NOTES: Hidden networks are not compatible with Wi-Fi updates on some Garmin devices. Not all captive portals will be compatible with Garmin devices. See Using a Wi-Fi Device on a Captive Portal.

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

Acquire a Satellite Signal

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 the appropriate FAQ below if your GPS navigator is unable to acquire a satellite signal:

Latest System Software

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.

High-Speed Internet Connection

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

External power is required in order to perform a Wi-Fi update. See External power options for wireless updates.

Remove and Reconnect to the Wi-Fi Network

To Forget the Wi-Fi Network:

  1. Open the device's Settings menu 

  2. Touch Wi-Fi

  3. Touch the desired network

  4. Touch FORGET

To Add a Wi-Fi Network:

  1. Open the device's Settings menu 

  2. Touch Wi-Fi

  3. Touch the desired network

  4. Enter the password to the Wi-Fi network if prompted

Attempt the update again after reconnecting to the network.

Reset the Wi-Fi Router

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.

Reset the Wi-Fi Network Settings

To reset the Wi-Fi network settings on the gps device:
  1. Touch Settings from the main menu
  2. Swipe the page up, then touch Device Reset under Personal
  3. Touch Network settings reset
  4. Touch Reset Settings
  5. Touch Reset Settings again

This will reset all network settings, including Wi-Fi, Cellular data, Bluetooth

Attempt the update again after reconnecting to the network.

To Obtain Wi-Fi Map Update Logs

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.

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:

  1. Open the device's Settings menu

  2. Touch About Device

  3. Touch the Build Number field several times rapidly - approximately 8 times

    • This will enable a Developer Options section.

  4. Return to the device's Settings menu

  5. Touch Developer Options

  6. 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:

  1. Touch Settings

  2. Touch Developer Options

  3. Touch Collect Logs

  4. Ensure that Collect All Logcat Logs is unchecked

  5. Touch Choose Log Types

  6. Uncheck Logcat

  7. Select Garmin Update

  8. Touch OK

  9. Touch Generate Logs

  10. 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.

  1. Connect the device to your computer with a USB cable

  2. Press the Windows Key () + E

  3. Click This PC (Windows 10 only)

  4. Open the device drive

  5. Open Internal Storage 

  6. Open the LogCollection folder

    • This folder will only be present after following the previous steps to record and export logs

  7. Open the zip files folder

  8. Obtain a case number from Product Support

  9. 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:

  1. Open the device's Settings menu

  2. 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.

  3. 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."

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