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Resolving Satellite Acquisition Issues for a Garmin Outdoor Handheld

If you are experiencing issues with your Garmin Outdoor handheld not acquiring a satellite signal, there can be a number of reasons. Being aware of what your handheld needs to work its best will provide a better user experience.

You can find possible causes and troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue below.

Allowing Enough Time to Acquire

If you have traveled a long distance from the last time your handheld was powered on and had a satellite signal, it may need additional time to acquire a signal in your new location. As you continue using your handheld in the same area, it will acquire a signal faster.


EPO Expired or CPE Expired Error

Extended Prediction Orbit (EPO) or Connected Predictive Ephemeris (CPE) files help to reduce satellite acquisition time on many Garmin handhelds. If you receive an EPO Expired or CPE Expired error on the handheld, see - EPO Expired or CPE Expired Error on a Garmin Handheld.


Ensuring You Are in the Best Environment

While handhelds can sometimes acquire a satellite signal indoors, they are intended to be used outdoors. The best environment is outside in a clear view of the sky with no obstructions such as trees, buildings, etc. The device may need a few additional minutes to acquire once you reach this type of area.


Making Sure Your Device is Not in Demo Mode

If your device has been placed in demo mode, it is no longer seeking a satellite signal. This usually happens unintentionally by navigating through the device's menus and inadvertently selecting items. To acquire satellite signal again cycle the device off and back on again. 


Checking For and Installing GPS Updates

Updates for the device's GPS Chipset are released periodically. Updates for most devices are done through Garmin Express™ software.

However, you can use WebUpdater if the Garmin Express program does not offer an update.


Steps for Using WebUpdater

  1. Plug your device in to the computer.

  2. Download and open WebUpdater.

  3. Select Next on the Welcome page.

  4. Select Next once WebUpdater recognizes your device.

    • It may take a moment for the next page to load.

  5. Follow the prompts to install any software updates first.

    • NOTE: You will not be able to cancel the update once it starts.

  6. Select Additional Updates.

  7. Select any update labeled as GPS Chipset.

  8. Follow the prompts to install it.


Once updates are finished installing, safely eject the device from your computer. To safely eject the device:

  • Windows: Right-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the taskbar, then select the device. For more details, see - Safely remove hardware in Windows.

  • Mac: Drag the Garmin device drive on the desktop to the trash.

Once the device has been disconnected, you may need to power it back on. Take the device back outside with a clear view for about 20 minutes to see if it acquires.


Performing an AutoLocate

It is possible the device may have acquired some corrupt satellite data, preventing it from functioning properly. An AutoLocate will clear existing satellite data and force the device to acquire new data.

NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor. The eTrex SE, eTrex Solar, Rino 600 series, and Foretrex series handhelds do not have the AutoLocate feature.


eTrex® 10 | eTrex® 20 | eTrex® 20x | eTrex® 22x | eTrex® 30 | eTrex® 30x | eTrex® 32x

  1. Press the Menu button twice to reach the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Press MENU.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


eTrex® Touch 25 | eTrex® Touch 35 | eTrex® Touch 35t

  1. Press power button to access the app drawer.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen, touch Three horizontal lines stacked.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


GPSMAP® 62 | GPSMAP® 62s | GPSMAP® 62sc | GPSMAP® 62st | GPSMAP® 62stc

  1. Press the Menu button twice to reach the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Press MENU.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


GPSMAP® 64 | GPSMAP® 64s | GPSMAP® 64sc | GPSMAP® 64st | GPSMAP® 64sx | GPSMAP® 64csx | GPSMAP® 64x

  1. Press the Menu button twice to reach the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Press MENU.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


GPSMAP® 65 | GPSMAP® 65s

  1. Press the Menu button twice to reach the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Press MENU.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


GPSMAP® 66i | GPSMAP® 66s | GPSMAP® 66sr | GPSMAP® 66st

  1. Press the Menu button twice to reach the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Press MENU.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


GPSMAP® 67 | GPSMAP® 67i

  1. Press the Menu button twice to reach the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Press MENU.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


GPSMAP® 78 | GPSMAP® 78s | GPSMAP® 78sc

  1. Press the Menu button twice to reach the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Press MENU.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


GPSMAP® 86i | GPSMAP® 86s | GPSMAP® 86sc | GPSMAP® 86sci

  1. Press the Menu button twice to reach the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Press MENU.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


GPSMAP 276Cx Handheld

  1. From the main menu, select GPS.

  2. Press MENU.

  3. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


Montana® 600 | Montana® 600t Camo | Montana® 610 | Montana® 610t Camo | Montana® 650 | Montana® 650t | Montana® 680 | Montana® 680t

  1. Starting at the Main Menu, touch Arrow pointing upat the bottom of the screen.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Touch Three horizontal lines stacked.

  4. Select AutoLocate.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


Montana® 700 | Montana® 700i | Montana® 710 | Montana® 710i | Montana® 750i | Montana® 760i

  1. Touch Home to access the main menu.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Touch3 Lines Menu Symbol.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


Oregon® 600 | Oregon® 600t | Oregon® 650 | Oregon® 650t

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the app drawer.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Touch Three horizontal lines stacked.

  4. Select AutoLocate.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


Oregon® 700 | Oregon® 750 | Oregon® 750t

  1. Press power button to access the app drawer.

    • If your user interface is set to Classic Mode, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to access the app drawer.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Touch Three horizontal lines stacked.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


Rino® 700

  1. From the main menu, select Satellite.

  2. Press Menu Key.

  3. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


Rino® 750 | Rino® 750t | Rino® 755t

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the home screen to access the app drawer.
    • If your user interface is set to Activity Mode, press power button to access the app drawer.

  2. Select Satellite.

  3. Touch Three horizontal lines stacked.

  4. Select AutoLocate Position.

    NOTE: AutoLocate will not be an available option if the device has acquired a signal, even if that signal is poor.


Resetting the Device

If none of the above was the cause, or did not resolve the issue, reset the device with the appropriate link below.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to back up any important data from the device to the computer before resetting. See Related for steps.

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