"Cannot unlock maps" On a Garmin Chartplotter

Downloaded Chart

Compatible chartplotters with built-in BlueChart® g3 charts, LakeVü™ g3 charts, Garmin Navionics+™ charts or a combo chart may be updated and downloaded using the Garmin Express™ program or the ActiveCaptain® app. The downloaded charts are unlocked only to the chartplotter(s) registered to the Garmin account at the time the downloaded update occurred.

Premium charts purchased as a download from Garmin.com or via ActiveCaptain are unlocked only to the chartplotter(s) registered to the Garmin account.

Premium charts preloaded on a card are locked to the card, cannot be copied to another card, and the original card can be used in compatible chartplotters.

If a new chartplotter is registered, charts downloaded prior to registration must be downloaded again to be unlocked for use with the newly added chartplotter.

The "Cannot unlock maps" message will display if:

• A downloaded chart card is inserted into a chartplotter not registered to the account that downloaded the chart, and or;

• In scenarios where one or more of the networked chartplotters is a unit with different built-in charts (error displayed may be "Update not Compatible With Built-In Charts") and or;

• The charts were downloaded using a different Garmin account than the one the chartplotter(s) is/are registered to, and or;

• If there is an issue with the files on the chart card (see Preloaded Chart Card section below)

Built-in Chart

If there are multiple networked chartplotters with conflicting built-in chart types (g3 charts versus Garmin Navionics+ charts) this error message will appear. Chartplotters with g3 charts can use Garmin Navionics+ charts, but chartplotters with built-in Garmin Navionics+ charts are not backwards compatible with g3 charts, built-in or supplemental. While this error message will appear, it causes no issue and can be ignored. 

Preloaded Chart Card

Newly purchased

If the chart is newly purchased and the "Cannot unlock maps" message displays, there could be an issue with the copy of the chart. Contact the retailer for an exchange or refund. 

Previously working Preloaded Chart Card receiving the Can’t Unlock Maps message

With exception to access to the daily updates of a Garmin Navionics+ and Garmin Navionics Vision+ subscription, Garmin charts do not have an expiration date. BlueChart G3 or LakeVu G3 products displaying the error message "Cannot unlock maps" may be missing the unlock code. This message could indicate there is an issue with the card or the files on the card have been corrupted or are missing. Contact Product Support for assistance. 

General Related Information to "Cannot unlock maps"

Charts and chartplotters may only be registered to one Garmin account and are not transferable to other Garmin accounts

Preloaded charts on handhelds and wearables are not updatable, see: Updating or Downloading Marine Charts to a Handheld Device

If access to an email address associated with a Garmin account has been lost, and the password cannot be retrieved, do not create a new Garmin account, contact Product Support.

If the password to the old email address is known, and the email address needs to be updated, see: Updating Account Information

ActiveCaptain is an alternative method for purchasing charts and downloading chart updates.

Chartplotters with built-in charts must be registered either with Garmin Express or ActiveCaptain for their charts to be downloadable via ActiveCaptain.

Purchased preloaded charts may be registered in Active Captain or Garmin Express; see Related Content.