Select your product to confirm this information applies to you

How to Fix the Installation Failed Error When Trying to Update My Garmin Instinct

If you are receiving the error message "Installation Failed. There may not be enough storage space available." when your Garmin Instinct® watch is trying to apply the latest software update, temporarily removing some files from the watch may be able to resolve this. Click the steps below for more information.

  1. Remove Text Files

  2. Update software

  3. Reinstall Text Files

Removing Text Files

Below are instructions for both Windows and Mac computers.  Choose your operating system below to reveal instructions.

IMPORTANT: Do not delete files outside of the TEXT folder. Deleting necessary files from the device can cause adverse performance issues or stop the watch from functioning entirely. 

Windows Instructions

  1. Plug the watch into a computer

  2. On your keyboard, press Windows key + E

  3. Click This PC

  4. Double-click the Garmin device drive

  5. Double-click the Garmin folder

  6. Right-click the TEXT folder

  7. Select Copy

  8. Paste file on desktop or another easily found location

  9. Right-click the TEXT folder

  10. Select Delete

  11. Confirm to delete the selected file(s)

Mac Instructions

  1. Plug the watch into the Mac

  2. Open Finder

  3. Click Go in the menu bar

  4. Click Computer

  5. Double-click the Garmin device drive

  6. Double-click the Garmin folder

  7. CTRL + Click on the TEXT folder

  8. Select Copy "TEXT"

  9. CTRL + click on the Desktop and click Paste item

  10. Back in Finder, select and drag the TEXT folder to trash

  11. Empty the Trash

Updating the Software

Use the Garmin Express™ program to check for and apply all available software updates for your watch. If you do not have the Garmin Express program installed, see " How Do I Install Garmin Express?".

Reinstalling Text Files

Below are instructions for both Windows and Mac computers.  Choose your operating system below to reveal instructions.

Windows Instructions

  1. Right-click on the TEXT Folder on the desktop

  2. Select Copy

  3. Plug the watch into a computer

  4. On your keyboard, press Windows key + E

  5. Click This PC (Windows 10 only)

  6. Double-click the Garmin device drive

  7. Double-click the Garmin folder

  8. Click Home at the top of the window

  9. Select Paste

Mac Instructions

  1. CTRL + Click on the TEXT folder

  2. Select Copy

  3. Plug the watch into the Mac

  4. Open Finder

  5. Click Go in the menu bar

  6. Click Computer

  7. Double-click the Garmin device drive

  8. Double-click the Garmin folder

  9. Click Edit on the top of the window

  10. Select Paste

If you have tried these solutions and are still having a problem, Contact Product Support and we will assist you.

Contact Us for More Help