Garmin Automotive Device isn't Acquiring Satellites

Ensure satellite issues are not being caused by something in your environment. Take your device out of parking garages and away from tall buildings and trees.

Data is gathered as GPS devices are used. This helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. A device should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less if used daily. Using a GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the ideal condition for acquiring satellites.

The Following Video Discusses Charging An Automotive Device and Acquiring Satellites:

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Factors That May Cause the Device to be Unable to Acquire Satellites:

• Your device may take longer than normal to acquire satellites for the first time

  • This should not take more than 3-5 minutes if the device is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky

• The device will not acquire satellites if the GPS Simulator is enabled.

  • Reference your device's Owner's Manual on our Support Center for steps to verify the GPS Simulator is disabled

• Your device may not acquire satellites properly if it does not have a full view of the sky while placed in the car

  • Mount the device on the windshield or dashboard

• Your device may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites if it has not been used for an extended period of time (more than a month)

• Your device may not acquire satellites indoors

  • Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal

• Your device may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites if it has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel

• 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)

  • This prevents 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

  • This is most likely the reason if your device loses satellites once back in your vehicle

Ensure your device has the latest version of operating software by following steps in Updating Automotive Maps and Software with Garmin Express if it is still having trouble acquiring satellites. Allow the device to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky after updating. It may be necessary to perform a master reset if this is ineffective.

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Your device may take 3-5 minutes to acquire a satellite signal while outdoors if you have just finished updating the software of your device or if you have performed a master reset.