Select your product to confirm this information applies to you

Troubleshooting the fenix 6 Series Altimeter and Barometer

When experiencing incorrect readings from the altimeter or barometer sensors on a watch, there are a few factors to consider that might be impacting these readings, as well as some steps that can help increase their accuracy. For information on how these sensors work, see - Understanding How the Barometric Altimeter Sensor Works on an Outdoor Watch.

Troubleshooting the Barometer and Altimeter

One of the main troubleshooting steps to perform when you notice your altimeter or barometer is off is to calibrate the sensor. The watch offers two ways to calibrate; auto calibrate and manually calibrate. 

Auto Calibration

Auto Calibration On

Setting auto calibration to On calibrates the sensor at the start of an activity. This will provide a consistent relative starting elevation if you do multiple activities at specific locations. When the timer is started the watch will try to determine the best elevation source to calibrate to, based on the following priority:

  1. Manual calibration immediately prior to starting the activity.
  2. Prior manual calibration point at the same location.
  3. Recent manual calibration, if the quality of the calibration is determined to be good enough.
  4. Map data (DEM - Digital Elevation Map), if available.
  5. Prior Connected DEM point at the same location:
    • Connected DEM refers to elevation data from the Garmin Connect app on a paired smartphone.
  6. Connected DEM, if currently connected to a phone.
  7. Prior GPS point at the same location.
    • Save Location immediately before starting the activity will also count toward calibration.
  8. GPS, if a good fix has been acquired:
    • After acquiring a GPS fix the timer ring will turn yellow. At that point, it can take up to 30 seconds for the GPS elevation to settle. If vertical speed settles to less than .1 m/s the GPS elevation data will be considered good enough use for altimeter calibration.
    • When the timer ring goes green the altitude is now calibrated.

Before starting the timer, the elevation data field on the watch will preview the calibrated elevation.

Throughout the activity, the watch uses DEM mapping data, and GPS elevation to make adjustments to altitude for any altimeter drift due to pressure changes caused by a weather event during an activity.

Auto Calibration Nightly

The watch will calibrate the altimeter once every night during your sleep window set in Garmin Connect. If paired, the Garmin Connect app uses location data from the phone and compares it to the DEM information of the watch. This allows the nightly calibration feature to work better but is not required.

  • When starting an activity, the watch will show current calibration and give the options to accept, or recalibrate.
  • Nightly calibration is also performed when auto calibration is set to On. 

To get location data from the phone to use for nightly calibration, location services will need to be enabled on your phone. For instructions on how to enable this on your phone:

Android

It is important to follow every step listed to ensure the phone's location permission is properly enabled:

  1. Open the Garmin Connect app.
  2. Select Three Line Menu Icon (upper left corner).
  3. Select Settings.
  4. Select Phone Permissions.
  5. Select Manage Permissions. This will take you out of the Garmin Connect app and into the phone's app management settings.
  6. Select Permissions.
  7. Select Location.
  8. Select Allow all the time.
    • If "Allow all the time" is not an available option, toggle Location on.
  9. Tap the back arrow at the top left to back out and save these settings.
  10. Power off and then power back on the Garmin device, and sync it through the Garmin Connect app.
Apple

It is important to follow every step listed to ensure the phone's location permission is properly enabled:

  1. Open the Settings menu on the phone.
  2. Select Privacy.
  3. Select Location Services.
  4. Toggle on if needed.
  5. Select Connect from the list of apps on the Location Services screen.
  6. Ensure "Allow Location Access" is set to Always.
  7. Toggle Precise Location on. 
  8. Power off and then power back on the Garmin device, and sync it through the Garmin Connect app.

Manual Calibration

The accuracy of this mode is based on your GPS satellite strength. It is recommended to be outside and away from any obstructions for the best accuracy.
If the altimeter of watch is displaying an elevation that is off significantly, it should be manually calibrated. Below are the options for calibrating the altimeter.
  • Known Elevation (Enter Manually) - Use this option to calibrate if you know the current elevation. This option offers the most accurate calibration. 
  • Use DEM - The watch will locate your position through GPS and use the DEM data to get an elevation reading from the map. 
  • Use GPS - This mode will determine your elevation through GPS triangulation. The accuracy of the GPS mode is based on your satellite reception strength. It is recommended to be outside and away from any obstructions for the best results.

Calibrating the altimeter should always be done outside with a clear view of the sky. 

  1. Hold UP to enter the Main Menu.
  2. Scroll to Settings and select Sensors & Accessories.
  3. Select Altimeter.
  4. Select Calibrate.
  5. Select an option and follow onscreen prompts.

NOTE: Allow the watch to air dry before calibrating the barometric altimeter after doing any water based activities.

Other Factors to Consider

Some factors that might impact the function of the altimeter and barometer include rapidly moving air entering the sensor port while participating in high-speed activities; climate-controlled buildings which can have slightly different pressure indoors compared to the ambient pressure outside; and soap, dirt, or salts from sweat which can clog the sensor port.  

Cleaning the Sensor Port

Debris blocking the sensor port will need to be rinsed free. The sensor port is located on the right side of the watch, between the Start/Stop and the Back/Lap buttons.

IMPORTANT: Do not put any objects into the sensor port!

  1. Run low pressure, warm water over the sensor port.
  2. Gently remove any visible debris. 
  3. Shake away excess water and allow to air dry.
  4. Calibrate the altimeter.