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How to Reset My Garmin Instinct Watch
There are a few instances in which the Garmin Instinct may need to be reset. These include the the following:
- The watch is not receiving a satellite signal.
- To restore to factory default settings.
- The watch is not functioning properly.
Performing a reset will erase some user data.1
Performing a Master Reset
NOTE: Resetting a watch will disconnect it from the Connect app but not Bluetooth settings, see for steps on how to remove it.
- Ensure watch is powered off2
- Press and hold Back/Set
- Power on watch while continuing to hold Back/Set
- Release Back/Lap button once the Reset Default Settings message appears
- Select Yes
The reset is successful if the watch finishes powering up and goes through initial setup. Try the steps again if initial setup does not appear. Following the reset, place the watch outside with a clear view of the sky for a minimum of 20 minutes to acquire satellite data.
If the master reset does not work, another method to reset the watch can be tried. Select the heading below for steps on the secondary reset.
Secondary Master Reset
- Ensure the watch is powered off2
- Press and hold Down/ABC, GPS, and Back/Set
- Power the watch on while holding these buttons
- After the first beep release Start
- After the second beep release the remaining buttons
The watch should now be reset.
1 User data consists of activity history, waypoints, courses, routes and tracks
2 If the watch will not power off, press and hold Light until the screen goes blank. This causes the watch to power off and should only be used when a normal power down is not possible.