Update: Garmin has provided an official fix - jump to your watch model and follow the steps.
Garmin users worldwide continue to report a crashing and rebooting loop on their watches, with the issue stemming from a bugged satellite file and occurring during GPS lock-on.
Since the issue first surfaced on 28 January, Garmin has acknowledged it and provided a fix: “We have resolved the underlying issue causing some devices to be stuck on the startup screen or a blue triangle.”
However, as of 30 January, some users are still experiencing issues. This quick-hit guide explains what caused it all and how to perform Garmin’s advised fixes for your specific watch model.
Fixing the Garmin blue triangle loop (Updated 30 January)

It’s been established that a rogue CPE file is at the core of this Garmin watch meltdown. So, what can you do about it?
Garmin has confirmed that it’s removed the CPE file that caused the problem and offered a new, uncorrupted version. So, it’s now a game of getting your watch to fetch the new one.
Initially, there weren’t official steps for each affected model – and it seemed the best course of action was to attempt a sync, followed by a soft reboot, and then a hard reset.
However, Garmin has now published official guidance for each model. And it varies quite dramatically depending on which Garmin watch you own.
We’ve simplified it here, and you can follow the steps below based on your model:
- Soft reboot required: Fenix 8, Lily 2
- Hard reset required: Approach S70, Vivoactive 4/5, Venu 3, all Forerunner watches
- Garmin Express sync or delete affected files: Fenix 7, Quatix 7, Epix Gen 2, Enduro 2, Tactix 7, D2, Descent Mk3, Instinct 3
The fix for Fenix 8 and Lily 2

Soft reset your Garmin watch
Garmin suggests a soft reboot for two watches, the Lily 2 and Fenix 8. Unfortunately, this isn’t possible for more models, as it’s the simplest fix.
- Hold the ‘Power/Light’ button until the watch shuts off. This can take up to 15 seconds.
- Press the ‘Power/Light’ button to turn the device back on.
The fix for Approach, Vivoactive, Venu, and Forerunners

Hard reset your Garmin watch
From what we’ve seen on Reddit and Garmin’s forum, the hard reset fixes most watches in the reboot loop. However, this is a nuisance, as you’ll lose things like downloaded Connect IQ content, customized data fields, cards set up via Garmin Wallet, and some activity data.
You’ll have to recover the above by reconnecting with Garmin Connect. Still, anything visible on the app (such as synced sleep, Training Status, and activity history) will also re-appear following setup.
- Press and hold the power button until the watch powers off.
- Press and hold the ‘Start/Stop’ and ‘Back’ buttons.
- Power on the watch while continuing to hold the buttons.
- After the first beep/vibration, release the ‘Start/Stop’ button.
- After the second beep, release the ‘Back’ button. The watch will restart and return to the language selection screen.
- If previously paired to Garmin Connect, remove the watch from your phone’s Bluetooth settings.
- Begin the pairing process with the Garmin Connect app.
The fix for Garmin outdoor watches (Fenix, Enduro, Epix, etc.)

Garmin Express sync and setup:
Eesh, this one is annoying. You’ll need to download Garmin Express for your PC/Mac, connect your device via the charging cable, and log in to the platform using your Connect credentials.
- Get Garmin Express running on your computer.
- Before connecting your watch, hold the ‘Power/Light’ button until it turns off.
- Hold the ‘Start/Stop’ button and connect the watch to the computer.
- While still holding the ‘Start/Stop’ button, select the option to add a device in Garmin Express.
- Wait for the platform to recognize your watch. Once it does, release the ‘Start/Stop’ button.
- Follow the steps to add your device to the watch.
Delete necessary files (option #2 if Express sync fails):
Assuming the steps above don’t work for your applicable watch, you’ll have to go manual. Annoyingly, the steps vary depending on whether you run Garmin Express on a PC or Mac – and, more annoyingly, require an extra step if you have the latter.
For Windows PC users:
- Close and re-open Garmin Express before beginning, and turn your watch off by holding the ‘Power/Light’ button.
- Begin pressing the ‘Start/Stop’ button, continuing as you connect your watch to the computer.
- Once it recognizes your watch, release the ‘Start/Stop’ button.
- Locate the Garmin drive in your computer and select the Garmin folder
- Find the RemoteSW folder and delete the contents.
- Disconnect the watch from your computer. It should reboot automatically.
- Sync with either Garmin Connect or Express.
For Mac users:
- Download, install, and begin running OpenMTP on your Mac, and turn your watch off by holding the ‘Power/Light’ button.
- Begin pressing the ‘Start/Stop’ button, continuing as you connect your watch to the computer.
- Once it recognizes your watch, release the ‘Start/Stop’ button.
- Select ‘Allow’ if prompted.
- Once your watch has been discovered, locate the Garmin folder in OpenMTP.
- Within this, find the RemoteSW folder and delete any files inside.
- Disconnect the watch from your computer. It should reboot automatically.
- Sync with either Garmin Connect or Express.
Everything we know about the Garmin blue triangle bug

Which Garmin watches have been affected?
If you’ve scoured Garmin’s forum or the Garmin subreddit over the last few days, you’ll already know the issue has affected the entire line-up.
Users of every recent generation of Approach, Descent, Forerunner, Instinct, Venu, Vivoactive, and Fenix (plus its adventure watch derivatives) are reporting issues. Even its Edge cycling computers have been affected.
What was the cause of the issue?
As mentioned, the core of the problem is related to the GPS chipset. So, if you try to open something from the ‘Activities’ list, use the ‘Navigate’ or ‘Tides’ app, or anything else that involves pinning your location, you could face the bug.
In simple-ish terms, one of the satellite pre-cache files (or CPE) your watch uses to help GPS lock-on work more efficiently has gone wrong. According to Garmin, watches fetch new CPE files every few days, but updates are delivered (and grabbed) daily from the server. This is why some watches have managed to avoid the issue.
Can you still track non-GPS activities, like indoor running?
Our Garmin test units are unaffected by this latest issue, so we can’t verify this ourselves.
However, many users report that indoor activities (like running or cycling) can be tracked if selected from the activity list before the reboot begins.
Even this is model-dependent, though, as some will start locking on to GPS in the background when cycling through activities.
We’ve also seen some examples of users turning off any location/navigation services in their settings to avoid the risk of ending up in a reboot loop. However, if you haven’t been affected by now, you’re likely in the clear.
Note: This is a developing story, so check back for updates as and when we get them.