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inReach Activation Failed or Unable to Complete
When attempting to activate an inReach® satellite communicator, there are various error messages that may appear if the activation is unable to complete for any reason. Select one of the errors below to identify the cause of the error and how to resolve it.
Activation Failed
Unable to Complete Activation
Unable to Complete Device Change
Activation Failed - We were unable to complete your activation. Try again or contact Garmin Support Center.
This error can occur when one of the following items has been skipped, left blank, or entered incorrectly during the activation. Make sure that every required field has been filled out completely and correctly.
First and Last Name
Email Address
Terms and Conditions
Billing Address (must include address line 1, city, state or province, and postal code)
Phone Number (including a country code selection)
Debit/Credit Card Information
If you still receive an Activation Failed error after checking these details, contact us by visiting the Product Support Contact Page and input your inReach device for the product. Contact options will then be listed at the bottom of the page. Product Support will need the serial number or IMEI number for the device you are attempting to activate.
Unable to Complete Activation - There is a problem with your account.
The specific cause for this error must be investigated by Garmin's product support team to determine the appropriate solution in each unique case. Contact us by visiting the Product Support Contact Page and input your inReach device for the product. Contact options will then be listed at the bottom of the page.
Error 213, Unable to Complete Activation - Please update your payment method.
This error can occur if there is an issue processing payment or if there is a past due balance on the account. Try visiting https://www.garmin.com/subscriptions/ to update your method of payment before attempting the activation again.
Log in to the Subscription Portal.
Select Manage on the subscription you want to update.
Select Update Payment Info.
Confirm or edit your billing address and select Save.
Update your current card or add new card information and select Save.
- Once updated, payment processing can take 2 business days to complete.
If you are unable to update your method of payment, or if you are still unable to activate after updating your method of payment, Contact Garmin Services Billing.
If the device has been purchased used, the previous owner will need to Contact Garmin Services Billing to close out their account and remove the device.
Unable to Complete Activation - Your email address is linked to a Roadpost account and cannot be used to purchase subscriptions or services from Garmin. Please create an account with a different email address or visit the Garmin Support Center for more options.
When you have an existing inReach® account with Roadpost and wish to activate an inReach subscription with Garmin, there are two options.
1. Create a new Garmin account using a different email address.
When creating a new Garmin account with a different email address, any existing data in your Garmin Explore™ account is lost.
2. To use the same email address, contact Roadpost to have your account cleared from their service.
Phone: 1-800-337-3155
Email: inreachcare@roadpost.com (Customer Care)
Before having your account cleared, you may also wish to export and back up your tracks, routes, and/or waypoints. For instructions, see - Roadpost Support: Exporting GPS & KML Data from the Explore Portal.
Once you have contacted Roadpost to remove your existing account from their service, they will email Garmin Services Billing. This typically happens within 24-48 hours.
Garmin Services Billing will email you that they are working through the process and not to create a new Garmin account until they contact you directly.
If an account creation attempt is made before our Billing team indicates it is okay to do so, this automatically creates another Roadpost account which then has to be cleared again by contacting Roadpost directly.
Unable to Complete Activation - Invalid unit number.
This error could mean that the device is still on another user's account, or there is a billing issue from the previous user. In most situations, the previous user simply does not realize that their service needs to be cancelled, or that they have a billing issue. As these are potentially life-saving devices, we cannot cancel the service without speaking to the registered owner. For more details, see - Why Can’t I Create an Account With My New inReach?.
Unable to Complete Activation - This is a beta device and cannot be activated here.
This error occurs when the device attempting to be activated is a beta device, but the account is not set up for a beta user. If you are a beta user, verify that you are signed into the correct account before trying again. If you are not a beta user, we highly recommend returning the device to the seller to obtain a refund.
Unable to Complete Activation - This service is not currently available in your country.
This error occurs when the device cannot be activated in the billing country that was entered for the account. If applicable, select Change Country and select the correct country for your billing address. If the wrong country was selected by mistake and you are unable to change it, Contact Garmin Services Billing.
Unable to Complete Activation - A deactivation is pending for this device.
This error occurs when attempting to activate a device that already has a subscription that is in the process of being cancelled. If you just tried cancelling, allow more time for the cancellation to finish processing as it may take several minutes to complete. You will receive a confirmation email once the cancellation is complete, at which point you can try activating again.
Unable to Complete Activation - This device is already activated or is pending activation on your account.
This error occurs when the device is already activated or pending activation on the current account. If you just tried activating, allow more time for the activation to finish processing as it may take several minutes to complete. You will receive a confirmation email once the activation is complete.
Unable to Complete Activation - This device has been authorized for return.
This error occurs when there is an existing Return Material Authorization (RMA) order for the device to have it returned to Gamin for an exchange. Ensure that the correct device is being entered when attempting to activate.
Unable to Complete Activation - A plan suspension is pending for this device.
This error occurs when the device is already active, but has a pending plan suspension. Verify that you are signed into the correct account.
If you just purchased the device and are attempting to activate it for the first time, this error could mean that the device is still on another user's account. In most situations, the previous user simply does not realize that their service needs to be cancelled. As these are potentially life-saving devices, we cannot cancel the service without speaking to the registered owner. For more details, see - Why Can’t I Create an Account With My New inReach?.
Unable to Complete Activation - This device has been suspended.
This error occurs when the device is already on an inReach Freedom Suspended plan. Verify that you are signed into the correct account, then follow the steps to reactivate.
If you just purchased the device and are attempting to activate it for the first time, this error could mean that the device is still on another user's account. In most situations, the previous user simply does not realize that their service needs to be cancelled. As these are potentially life-saving devices, we cannot cancel the service without speaking to the registered owner. For more details, see - Why Can’t I Create an Account With My New inReach?.
Unable to Complete Activation - A plan change is pending for this device.
This error occurs when the device is already active and has a pending plan change. Verify that you are signed into the correct account, then follow the steps to change your plan if needed.
If you just purchased the device and are attempting to activate it for the first time, this error could mean that the device is still on another user's account. In most situations, the previous user simply does not realize that their service needs to be cancelled. As these are potentially life-saving devices, we cannot cancel the service without speaking to the registered owner. For more details, see - Why Can’t I Create an Account With My New inReach?.
Unable to Complete Device Change - There is a problem with your account.
The specific cause for this error must be investigated by Garmin's product support team to determine the appropriate solution in each unique case. Contact us by visiting the Product Support Contact Page and input your inReach device for the product. Contact options will then be listed at the bottom of the page.
Unable to Complete Device Change - Your email address is linked to a Roadpost account and cannot be used to purchase subscriptions or services from Garmin. Please create an account with a different email address or visit the Garmin Support Center for more options.
When you have an existing inReach® account with Roadpost and wish to activate an inReach subscription with Garmin, there are two options.
1. Create a new Garmin account using a different email address.
When creating a new Garmin account with a different email address, any existing data in your Garmin Explore™ account is lost.
2. To use the same email address, contact Roadpost to have your account cleared from their service.
Phone: 1-800-337-3155
Email: inreachcare@roadpost.com (Customer Care)
Before having your account cleared, you may also wish to export and back up your tracks, routes, and/or waypoints. For instructions, see - Roadpost Support: Exporting GPS & KML Data from the Explore Portal.
Once you have contacted Roadpost to remove your existing account from their service, they will email Garmin Services Billing. This typically happens within 24-48 hours.
Garmin Services Billing will email you that they are working through the process and not to create a new Garmin account until they contact you directly.
If an account creation attempt is made before our Billing team indicates it is okay to do so, this automatically creates another Roadpost account which then has to be cleared again by contacting Roadpost directly.
Unable to Complete Device Change - There is a problem with your device.
This error can occur if the device you are transferring service to is still on another user's account, or there is a billing issue from the previous user. In most situations, the previous user simply does not realize that their service needs to be cancelled, or that they have a billing issue. As these are potentially life-saving devices, we cannot cancel the service without speaking to the registered owner. We highly recommend returning the device to the seller to obtain a refund in these situations. If this is not possible, ask the seller if they are willing to cancel the service or if there is a billing issue the seller may need to Contact Garmin Services Billing.
Unable to Complete Device Change - A cancellation is pending for this device.
This error occurs when attempting to transfer service from a device that has a subscription that is in the process of being cancelled. If you just tried cancelling, allow more time for the cancellation to finish processing as it may take several minutes to complete. You will receive a confirmation email once the cancellation is complete, at which point you can activate a new subscription for the device you were attempting to transfer service to.