Garmin GPS Watch Stuck in Reboot Loop: Try These Fixes

If you have a Garmin watch, you may be experiencing some reboot loops due to a GPS issue.

Garmin’s support website currently says, “We are aware of an issue causing some devices to be stuck on the start up screen or a blue triangle. To resolve this, press and hold the power button until the device turns off, then power it back on, and sync with the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express.”

The following devices are affected:

• Approach watch
• Edge cycling computers
• epix or fenix Watch
• Forerunner Watch
• Instinct Series Watch
• vivoactive 4
• Venu 3, 3S, vivoactive 5

So what the heck caused this issue? Garmin confirmed to DCRainmaker this GPS problem was due to a corrupted CPE file (satellite precache file).

Garmin says if your device won’t boot past the start-up screen, follow these steps to try and fix the issue:

1. Restart the Device
   • Hold the power/light button until the device shuts off (up to 15 seconds).
   • Press the button again to restart.
2. If the Device Boots Normally
   • Sync with the Garmin Connect app or Garmin Express to resolve and prevent future issues.
3. If the Device Remains Stuck
   • Perform a factory reset (refer to your device model for instructions).

You can also try manually deleting the problematic file causing the issue (only try this if you’re capable).

1. On PC:
   • Power off the device.
   • Hold the upper left button (light button) while connecting it to your computer.
   • Navigate to the /Garmin/RemoteSW folder and delete the GPE.bin file.
2. On Mac:
   • Use a tool like Android File Transfer, OpenMTP, or MacDroid.
   • Follow the same steps as above to locate and delete GPE.bin.

If the device connects to your computer without holding the button, you can delete the file that way as well. Garmin will sync a clean version of the file to your watch afterward.

It’s worth pointing out a factory reset will erase your Garmin Wallet, Connect IQ content, Body Battery data, steps, shortcuts, hotkeys, and customized fields. Make you sync your device beforehand to minimize data loss, because that would suck.

If you’re trying to use your Garmin GPS watch or device today, you may be running into issues (no pun intended). Take a break from exercise and have a pizza instead.