Troubleshooting an Automotive Traffic Issue

See the troubleshooting steps below if you have a Garmin device with a traffic receiver but are not receiving any traffic information. See the applicable FAQ below if you are using Live Traffic on Smartphone Link the dēzl™ app or the Garmin Drive™ app with a compatible Android phone or iPhone. 

NOTE: If your device was preloaded with full map coverage (i.e. North America), and full map coverage is not installed, you may not receive traffic updates on your Automotive device. See Maps Missing After Updating Maps on a Full Coverage Automotive Device for more information.

• Troubleshooting Smartphone Link Live Traffic on Automotive Devices.

• Troubleshooting dēzl App Traffic.

• Troubleshooting Garmin Drive App Traffic on Automotive Devices.

First, See the Following Support Video on Proper Placement of the Traffic Receiver Cable:

Next, Try the Following Steps to Troubleshoot Traffic:

1. Confirm you're using the device in a traffic coverage area based on the traffic service you are using

   • Garmin Traffic

     • See Interpreting the Garmin Traffic Map.

   • HD Digital Traffic

     • HD Digital Traffic is available on LMTHD devices, or if you're using a GTM™ 60 traffic receiver cable (sold separately)

     • See Interpreting the HD Digital Traffic Map.
       

2. Verify you are not in an area affected by the Current Traffic Outages

   • May 13, 2025

     • Little Rock, AR:  RDS off.  ETA TBD.
     • Morristown, NJ:  HD off.  ETA TBD.

3. Confirm external power is being supplied to the traffic antenna vehicle power cable, GTM traffic cable, or BC™ 30 vehicle power cable. An LED light should be lit. If it is not, check the fuse in the cable. 

   • The sticker affixed to the vehicle power cable's cord or plug should indicate whether it is a GTM™ traffic receiver cable, TA 10, TA 20, or BC 30.

     • If using a Garmin DriveSmart™ 55 or Garmin DriveSmart™ 65 GPS navigator with a GTM cable, try testing traffic with the included TA 20 cable.

   • Review the manual for your device to ensure the cable is connected to the correct port.

     • GTM cables have a red or green LED.

     • The TA 10 has a yellow LED light.

     • The TA 20 and BC 30 have a blue LED light.
       • Devices with -S in the title, for example, Garmin DriveSmart™ 61LMT-S GPS navigator, require the use of Smartphone Link to receive traffic when using a BC™ 30 wireless backup camera.

   • Verify the cable's placement in the vehicle.

4. Update the device and traffic receiver software by following steps in Updating Maps and Software with Garmin Express™ Software

It is Also Possible the Traffic Service has Been Disabled on Your Device Which Will Result in Traffic not Working.

To Confirm Whether the Service is Enabled:

1. Connect the device to power using the vehicle power cable

2. Touch Settings

   • Some devices may require you to touch Tools first.

3. Touch Traffic

   • If traffic is disabled, you may enable it here.

If Your Traffic Subscription has Never Been Activated, you Will Need to Acquire a GPS Satellite Signal to Activate it.

To Acquire a GPS Satellite Signal:

1.  After checking your coverage area using the links listed above, plug the vehicle power cable into the vehicle, and then into the GPS device or cradle.

2.  Allow the device to receive a satellite signal along with the traffic signal. This process may take up to 20 minutes.

If you have previously received a traffic signal, you may still receive a traffic signal even without a satellite signal. In this case, the device will use your last known position to determine coverage.