Garmin Catalyst Isn't Acquiring Satellites

See the troubleshooting below if your Garmin Catalyst device is no longer acquiring satellites. 

NOTE: Carbon fiber cars can block and absorb GPS signals. Interference from carbon fiber cars can affect the accuracy of the GPS antenna.  The Garmin Catalyst should be mounted on the windshield or on the dash with a clear unobstructed view of the sky.

Environmental Factors

The environment you operate your device in may affect satellite acquisition. Take your device out of garages and away from tall buildings and trees. Start a Drive Session on the grid rather than when taking off from garages for best results.

• Data is gathered as you use your device
• This helps it acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use
• The device should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less if used daily

Factors Which Could Cause the Device to be Unable to Acquire Satellites:

• It may take longer than normal to acquire satellites the first time you power your device

  • This should not take more than 3-5 minutes if the device has a clear view of the sky

• The device may not acquire satellites properly without a clear view of the sky

  • Mount the device on the windshield or dashboard for the best satellite acquisition

• It may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites if your device has not been used for more than a month

• The device may not acquire satellites indoors

  • Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to acquire a satellite signal

• It may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites if your device has traveled over 500 miles while turned off

• Your device may not be able to acquire satellites if your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices interfering with the device receiving a signal

  • Some vehicles are equipped with special windshields containing metal in the glass (metal oxide) which prevent the GPS device from having a clear line of sight to the satellites

  • Windshields with solar ray glass, solar tint, heated, or heat-reflective windshields and insulated or Insta-Clear glass may also affect satellite acquisition

  • Try taking the device outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so the device can acquire satellites if you suspect this to be an issue

  • If your device loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle, this is most likely the reason

Software Update

You can update the device software through a Wi-Fi connection if your device is still having trouble acquiring satellites.

See the video tutorial below for instructions:

Allow the device to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky once your device is updated.

Factory Data Reset

It may be necessary to perform a factory data reset if all other troubleshooting is ineffective. Performing a factory data reset will reset the device to factory default settings and delete any custom tracks, driver profiles, and car profiles.

To Perform a Factory Data Reset:

1. Open the device's Settings menu
2. Touch Device Reset
3. Touch Factory data reset
4. Touch Reset Device
5. Touch Erase Everything

The device will restart and prompt you to set up the device again. The device can take longer to start up for the first time after it has been reset in this fashion.

Note: A master reset may erase the data used to locate satellites.  Your device may take 3-5 minutes to acquire a satellite signal while outdoors after updating the software or performing a master reset.