Troubleshooting an Automotive Traffic Issue with the Garmin Automotive Device

See the troubleshooting steps below if you are not receiving any traffic information. See Troubleshooting Garmin Drive™ App Traffic on Automotive Devices if you are using Garmin Drive™ app traffic 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.

Next, Try the Following Troubleshooting Steps: 

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 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 16, 2025
     • There are no outages to report today.

3. Confirm external power is being supplied to the traffic antenna vehicle power cable or BC™ 30 wireless backup camera vehicle power cable. An LED light should be lit. If it is not, try using your vehicle power cable in a different 12V outlet or a different vehicle. Contact Product Support if the LED light still fails to light up after trying a different outlet or vehicle.

   • The sticker affixed to the vehicle power cable's cord or plug should indicate whether it is a TA 40 or BC™ 30 vehicle power cable.

     • If using a GTM cable with the Garmin DriveSmart™ 65 with Amazon Alexa GPS navigator, try testing traffic with the included TA 40 cable.

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

     • TA 40 cable for the Garmin DriveSmart™ 65 with Amazon Alexa has a blue LED light

     • BC 30 cable has a blue LED light

     • The Vehicle Power Adapter for the following devices has a blue LED light 

       • Garmin DriveCam™ 76 GPS navigator with camera

       • Garmin DriveSmart™ 66 GPS navigator

       • Garmin DriveSmart™ 76 GPS navigator

       • Garmin DriveSmart™ 86 with Amazon Alexa GPS navigator

   • Verify the cable's placement in the vehicle

4. Update the device and traffic receiver software. Steps can be found in Garmin Support Center below:

   1. Go to Garmin Support Center
   2. Enter your product name or serial number
   3. Select the Software tab on the left under your product name/picture

It is Also Possible the Traffic Service has Been Disabled on Your Device. To Confirm Whether the Service is Enabled:

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

2. Touch Settings

3. Touch Traffic

   • You can enable traffic here if it is disabled.

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.