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DriveTrack 70 or DriveTrack 71 Lost Connection to Dog Tracker

The dog tracking screen of the DriveTrack™ 70 LMT or DriveTrack™ 71 GPS navigator may display the message "Lost connection to dog tracker" right as the dog tracking handheld has started to communicate with it.

This may be due to:

  • The tracking handheld is not currently tracking at least one dog device
  • Recent cross interference with another close by broadcasting handheld with ~50 feet.
  • Bluetooth may have been turned off on the Garmin DriveTrack

Try the troubleshooting below if the Garmin DriveTrack navigator does not start tracking automatically after the dog starts tracking on the handheld.



Stage One Troubleshooting steps: Unpairing the Dog Tracker and Rebooting
  • Ensure all devices are on latest software version
  • Transmitting device and receiving device must be within 15 feet of each other (closer is recommended for testing and troubleshooting)
  • Ensure you are actively tracking a compatible dog collar with the Astro® or Alpha® dog tracking handheld
  • Power off any other close by transmitting handhelds or disable their Broadcast mode (with 50 feet).
    • Note: the Pro 550 Plus handheld always has the Broadcast Mode enabled.
  • Ensure Bluetooth is enabled on the Garmin DriveTrack navigator
    • From Home Screen, tap the Bluetooth icon a the top middle-left of the screen.


  1. Unpair the DriveTrack navigator from the current dog tracking handheld
    • To Unpair:
      1. Go to Main Menu (on DriveTrack)
      2. Touch Map
      3. Touch the Wrench Icon
      4. Touch Dog List
      5. Touch menu hamburger
      6. Touch Unpair
      7. Touch Yes
  2. Power Off the DriveTrack navigator: Press and HOLD the Power for 6 seconds, the Tap Turn Off in Red
  3. Power Off the Handheld
  4. Power back on the Handheld; verify it's actively tracking at least one dog. 
  5. Lastly, Power On the DriveTrack navigator
  6. On the DriveTrack navigator's home screen, you should now see the Dogs tracking with a Green Check Mark. 

The DriveTrack navigator should now be receiving the broadcast signals from the Handheld. 

Drivetrack71capture


Stage Two Troubleshooting: Master Reset the DriveTrack


Try Master Resetting the DriveTrack navigator if the stage-one troubleshooting above was not successful. 

  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. When 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
    • If text language is not in English, this is the button on the right
  6. Once the device fully boots up, it should automatically connect with the handheld that is currently tracking at least one dog 


If successful, you should see this when connected to the Handheld again:

Drivetrack71capture



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