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Outdoor Handheld Device Not Detected by Garmin Express

USB communication issues can prevent your Garmin handheld device from being detected by Garmin Express.

Below are items to check and troubleshooting steps to try.

Items to Check

Verify the Handheld Recognizes the Connection

Most handheld devices will display an icon on the screen indicating that the device is communicating with your computer. These icons vary, but some examples include:

Outdoor Handheld Mass Storage Mode Icon     USB Icon

Device Connected to Computer Tower

If you see a question on the screen about entering mass storage, select Yes.

Ensure Garmin Express is Up to Date

Windows

  1. Open Garmin Express.
  2. Click Settings .
  3. Select About.
  4. Select Check for Updates to Express.
  5. If there is an update available, click Install Now and follow the prompts to complete the update.

Mac

  1. Open Garmin Express.
  2. Click Garmin Express in the Apple menu bar.
  3. Click About Garmin Express.
  4. Click Check for Updates to Express, if prompted.
  5. Click Install Now, if prompted.

Close Other Garmin Applications

Other programs may be actively communicating with your device while it is plugged into a computer. Try closing out other Garmin applications that may be reading your device.

  • Example: If Garmin Express is not seeing your device, but Garmin BaseCamp is, close Garmin Basecamp.

Force Quitting Garmin Express

Windows

Option 1:
  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc (Escape) on the keyboard.
  2. Click Yes to allow Task Manager to make changes to the computer if prompted.
  3. Select Garmin Express from the list of programs.
  4. Click End Task.
Option 2:
  1. Right-click the Garmin Express icon in the system tray (next to the clock).
    • You may need to click on the up arrow to see all icons.
  2. Left-click Quit.

The Garmin Express program will now be closed.

Mac

  1. Press Option + Command + Esc (Escape) on the keyboard.
  2. Select Garmin Express from the list of programs.
  3. Click Force Quit.

The Garmin Express program will now be closed.

Run Garmin Express as an Administrator (Windows)

The error may be caused by permission issues for Garmin Express. Running the application as an administrator may resolve this:

  1. Locate and right-click the Garmin Express icon in one of the following locations:
    • Search for Garmin Express in the Start menu.
    • Find the desktop shortcut Garmin Express Icon (if present).
  2. Select Run as Administrator or More > Run as Administrator.

Device Already Added to Garmin Express

If your device has already been added to Garmin Express at some point, try removing it:  Adding and Removing Devices in Garmin Express

If none of those resolved the issue, refer to the section below.

Troubleshooting

For additional steps, refer to your computer's operating system below.

Windows

Ensuring the Computer Recognizes the Connection

A handheld will display as a removable disk or portable device when it is properly connected to a Windows computer.

Verifying That Windows Detects the Handheld

  1. Connect the handheld to the computer.
  2. Press the Windows Key () + E.
  3. Click This PC (Windows 10 only).

Garmin handhelds will be listed under Devices and drives in Windows 10.

Windows 8/10

Example of Devices and Drives on Windows 10

Garmin handhelds will be listed under Devices with Removable Storage or Portable Devices in older versions of Windows.  

Windows 7

Example of Devices with Removable Storage on Windows 7

No Connection is Recognized by the Computer or the Handheld

Try a Different USB Cable

  • Try a Garmin branded cable if available.
  • If a new cable must be purchased, ensure that the cable is a USB Data Cable and not a USB Charging Cable.
  • See Related Content for information about what size of USB cable your device requires.
    Mini USBMicro USB
    Mini USB CableMicro USB Cable

Ensure That the USB Port Is Working Properly

  • Try a different USB port on your computer and/or test the USB port with a different USB device.
  • Avoid connecting through a USB hub, USB extension cable, keyboard, or monitor.
  • On desktop computers, use the USB ports on the back of your computer.
    USB laptop connectionDesktop USB Connection
    LaptopDesktop

Restart the Computer and Try Again

NOTE: Shutting down, pressing the power button, or closing the lid on a notebook computer may not effectively restart the computer on some operating systems. Follow the instructions below to ensure that the computer is completely restarted.

Windows 8.1 and Higher

  1. Right-click the  Start button.
  2. Click Shut down or sign out.
  3. Click Restart.

Windows 8

  1. On your keyboard, press the Windows key + i.
  2. Click  Power.
  3. Click Restart.

Windows 7

  1. Click the  Start button.
  2. Click ▶ next to Shut Down.
  3. Click Restart.

Forcing a Garmin to Mount as a Drive

If it is still not recognized after one minute, the steps below will be necessary. The steps below cover most Garmin Outdoor handhelds, with the exception of the Foretrex 601 and 701 series and models with "inReach" in the name. For troubleshooting information on Foretrex 601 and 701 models, see - null. For assistance with inReach, visit Garmin Support Center and type in your model.
If your Garmin has an internal battery or you are using a battery pack, ensure the battery is charged before completing the steps below
  1. Disconnect the Garmin from computer and ensure the Garmin is powered off.
  2. Press and hold the appropriate button for your model:
    • Touchscreen operated: Power.
    • Button/thumbstick operated: UP.
  3. Plug the Garmin into the computer.
  4. Wait until the Garmin is recognized by the computer, it may take up to 45 seconds for device to be recognized as a drive.
    • If prompted, install USB device drivers.
  5. Release Power or UP.

The device should now function normally.

Disabling USB Selective Suspend

USB Selective Suspend will limit power to connected USB devices, including your Garmin device. It can potentially cause recognition problems.

  1. Unplug your Garmin device from the computer.
  2. On the computer, open Control Panel.
  3. Ensure View by is set to Category.
  4. Select Hardware and Sound.
  5. Select Power Options.
  6. Click Change plan settings next to the currently selected power plan.
  7. Click Change advanced power settings.
  8. Expand USB settings.
  9. Expand USB selective suspend settings.
  10. Click Settings and select Disabled from the drop-down menu.
    • On a laptop, select Disabled for both On battery and Plugged in.
  11. Click OK.
  12. Plug your Garmin device back into the computer.

Mac

Ensuring the Computer Recognizes the Connection

When a device is properly connected to an Mac computer, it will be displayed as a removable disk drive in Finder. To check this, press Shift+Command+C on the keyboard.

The Garmin device will display as a disk drive icon and will generally be labeled GARMIN. 

Mac Finder Results

No Connection is Recognized by the Computer or the Handheld

Try a Different USB Cable

  • Try a Garmin branded cable if available.
  • If a new cable must be purchased, ensure that the cable is a USB Data Cable and not a USB Charging Cable.
  • See Related Content for information about what size of USB cable your device requires.
    Mini USBMicro USB
    Mini USB CableMicro USB Cable

Ensure That the USB Port Is Working Properly

  • Try a different USB port on your computer and/or test the USB port with a different USB device.
  • Avoid connecting through a USB hub, USB extension cable, keyboard, or monitor.
  • On desktop computers, use the USB ports on the back of your computer.
    USB laptop connectionDesktop USB Connection
    LaptopDesktop

Restart the Computer and Try Again

  1. Click the Apple icon in the menu bar.
  2. Click Restart...
  3. Click Restart to confirm.

Forcing a Garmin to Mount as a Drive

If it is still not recognized after one minute, the steps below will be necessary. The steps below cover most Garmin Outdoor handhelds, with the exception of the Foretrex 601 and 701 series and models with "inReach" in the name. For troubleshooting information on Foretrex 601 and 701 models, see - null. For assistance with inReach, visit Garmin Support Center and type in your model.
If your Garmin has an internal battery or you are using a battery pack, ensure the battery is charged before completing the steps below
  1. Disconnect the Garmin from computer and ensure the Garmin is powered off.
  2. Press and hold the appropriate button for your model:
    • Touchscreen operated: Power.
    • Button/thumbstick operated: UP.
  3. Plug the Garmin into the computer.
  4. Wait until the Garmin is recognized by the computer, it may take up to 45 seconds for device to be recognized as a drive.
    • If prompted, install USB device drivers.
  5. Release Power or UP.

The device should now function normally.

If these steps did not resolve the issue, visit the Garmin Express section of Support Center and you will find options to contact Product Support in the Contact Us for More Help section at the bottom of the page.

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