Garmin nüvi 600 Series Device Isn't Acquiring Satellites

If your Garmin automotive device is no longer acquiring satellites, ensure that this is not being caused by something in your environment. Take your device out of parking garages and away from tall buildings and trees.

As GPS devices are used, data is gathered which helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the ideal condition for acquiring satellites.

There can be several different factors that may cause a GPS device to be unable to acquire satellites:

• If your device is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position.

  • If the device is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky, this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.

• The device will not acquire satellites if the GPS Simulator is enabled.

  • Reference your device's Owner's Manual on our Support Center for steps to verify the GPS Simulator is disabled.

• Flip up the GPS antenna on the back of the nüvi, so that it is parallel to the ground.

• If your device does not have a full view of the sky while placed in the car, it may not acquire satellites properly.

  • For best satellite acquisition, mount the device on the windshield or dashboard.

• If your device has not been used for an extended period of time (more than a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.

• If your device is indoors, it may not acquire satellites.

  • Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.

• If your device has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.

• If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the device receiving a signal, your device may not be able to acquire satellites in this environment.

  • Some vehicles are equipped with special windshields that may contain metal in the glass (metal oxide) that prevents the GPS device from having a clear line of sight to the satellites.

  • Windshields with solar ray glass, solar tint, heated, or heat-reflective windshields and insulated or Insta-Clear glass may also affect satellite acquisition.

  • If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the device outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the device can acquire satellites.

  • If your device loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle, this is most likely the reason.

If your device is still having trouble acquiring satellites, ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using the Garmin Express program. Once your device is updated, allow the device to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky. If this is ineffective, it may be necessary to perform a master reset.

Note: A master reset will erase all favorites¹ and will restore your device to the default factory settings. You can create a backup of your favorites to a computer using the Garmin Express™ software.

To Perform a Master Reset:

1. Start with the device OFF and unplugged from power
2. Press and hold the lower right-hand corner of the display portion of the touchscreen
3. Power on the device while continuing to hold the display
4. Remove your finger from the touchscreen when "Do you really want to erase all user data?" appears
5. Touch Yes
   • If text language is not in English, this is the button on the right.

The device will now reset. Follow the on-screen prompts and then place your device in an area with a clear view of the sky until it acquires satellites.

¹Although the master reset will erase all saved favorites, any loaded custom points of interest will remain intact on the device.

Note: If you have just finished updating the software of your device or if you have performed a master reset, your device may take 3-5 minutes to acquire a satellite signal while outdoors, as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.