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Garmin Automotive Device isn't Acquiring Satellites

The environment you operate your device in may affect satellite acquisition. Take your device out of parking garages and away from tall buildings and trees.

Data is gathered as you use your device. This helps them 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. Using the device outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is recommended to acquire satellites.

The Following Video Discusses Charging your Device and Acquiring Satellites:

Factors That May 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 will not acquire satellites if the GPS Simulator is enabled

  • 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 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 that may interfere with the device receiving a signal

    • Some vehicles are equipped with special windshields that may contain metal in the glass (metal oxide) that 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 that 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

If your device is still having trouble acquiring satellites, ensure it has the latest version of operating software by following the steps in the Software section under your device in Support Center.  Allow the device to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky after you update. A master reset may be necessary if the issue continues.

To Perform a Master Reset 

Note: A master reset will erase all favorites and will restore your device to the default factory settings. See Backing up, Restoring, or Transferring Saved Data on Garmin Automotive Devices for instructions to back up your data. Although the master reset will erase all saved favorites, any loaded custom points of interest will remain intact on the device. 

  1. Start with the device turned off and unplugged from power
    • To verify the device is powered off and not in standby mode, press and hold down the power button until prompted to turn off the device
  2. Power on the device
  3. Four seconds after the first copyright screen appears press and hold the lower right-hand corner of the display portion of the touchscreen
  4. Remove your finger from the touchscreen when "Erase all user data?" appears
  5. Touch Yes

The device will automatically reset. Follow the on-screen prompts to set your locale and then place your device in an area with a clear view of the sky until it acquires satellites.

Note: If you have just finished updating the software of your device or if you have performed a master reset, your device may take 3-5 minutes to acquire a satellite signal while outdoors, as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.

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