This is a weekly roundup of significant sports tech problems that the endurance community has encountered and, where possible, resolved. Each entry covers the issue, the affected hardware or software, and the current best fix or workaround known to the community.
Suunto Vertical map stuck on black screen with white grid and never loads on firmware 2.50.28
A Suunto Vertical owner reports that the map screen shows a black background with a white grid and never loads any map data. The problem appeared on firmware 2.50.28.
The workaround posted is a soft reset, which means holding the upper button for 12 seconds. This does not delete any data. Zooming the map fully out is also reported to bring it back.
No fix from Suunto has been posted, so treat both steps as workarounds.
Fenix 8 depth sensor error, heart rate showing dashes and compass not working after software 23.40
One Fenix 8 owner reports a depth sensor error, heart rate showing dashes and a compass that does not work after installing software 23.40.
The workaround is to let the battery run completely flat, charge the watch, and then start the update again from Garmin Connect on the phone.
This is a single user report and it is unconfirmed. Garmin offered the owner a replacement watch.
Edge 840 won’t pair with Bosch Smart System eBike and shows no motor power after firmware 31.65 and 31.67
An Edge 840 owner can no longer pair the bike computer with a Bosch Smart System eBike, and the motor power field shows nothing after firmware 31.65 and 31.67.
Firmware 31.69 restored the battery level and cadence for one user, but not the power data. Other riders on the Edge 840 Solar, Edge 540, Edge 1040 and an Edge 850 beta report the same fault.
No Garmin staff reply has been posted yet.
Forerunner 970 froze on the voice command listening screen and no buttons respond
A Forerunner 970 froze on the voice command listening screen, and none of the buttons would respond.
The fix that worked was to hold the Power and Light button for up to 30 seconds and then restart the watch.
This clears the freeze but does not cure the underlying fault, so it may happen again.
Edge 540 shows zero ascent and descent and no gradient on rides
An Edge 540 on firmware 31.33 shows zero ascent, zero descent and no gradient during rides.
A soft reset is the first thing to try, and it keeps your data and maps. For stubborn cases, a full factory reset followed by a manual setup has worked for some owners.
Suunto open water swim GPS track only logs a point every 3 to 4 seconds with GPS Accuracy set to Best
A Suunto swimmer finds that the open water GPS track records only one point every 3 to 4 seconds, even with GPS Accuracy set to Best.
A hidden setting called Logging dist in the debug menu GNSS test controls this. It defaults to 2.00 metres, and setting it to 0.5 metres gives per second logging.
The setting resets after a power cycle and is undocumented, so you need to set it again each time the watch restarts.
Garmin Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 Training Readiness missing in Garmin Connect app since 5.31 but shown on the watch
Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 owners report that Training Readiness has vanished from the Garmin Connect app since version 5.31, although the watch itself still shows it.
Some users also see a 409 Duplicate Metrics File error. Garmin staff have said readiness may return after you record and upload an activity, but nobody has confirmed that this works.
This issue remains unresolved. If you have encountered it and found a fix, the discussion is open on r/the5krunner.
Garmin Epix Pro Gen 2 ignores HRM 600 chest strap and shows wrist heart rate instead
An Epix Pro Gen 2 owner pairs an HRM 600 chest strap, yet the watch keeps showing the wrist heart rate instead.
The workaround is to turn off Dynamic Source Switching. The chest strap data then shows as expected.
After that change, VO2 max appeared to ignore the heart rate data, so check that figure if you rely on it.
Suunto Race 3S still alerts for every notification and call with notifications turned off
A Suunto Race 3S keeps buzzing for every notification and call even though notifications are turned off in the watch settings.
The workaround is to turn off mobile notifications inside each activity’s own settings.
Garmin Connect iPhone app will not save an imported GPX route where the start and finish are the same point
The Garmin Connect iPhone app refuses to save an imported GPX route when the start and finish are the same point, which is common for loop routes.
Garmin Connect 5.31 fixes this. If you cannot update, edit the last digit of the latitude on the final trackpoint so it differs slightly from the start, or import the route through the Garmin Connect website instead.
Garmin Edge 1050 safety features and incident detection turn off after every restart, emergency contacts not recognised
On an Edge 1050, safety features and incident detection switch themselves off after every restart, and the emergency contacts are not recognised.
Removing and re-adding the emergency contacts and then syncing brings the features back, but the setting resets after each restart.
A Garmin moderator says they are looking into it.
Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED battery draining twice as fast after software 23.40
Fenix 8 AMOLED owners report battery drain that is about twice as fast as before after installing software 23.40.
Rolling back to software 21.39 with automatic updates turned off roughly halves the drain. A power cycle did not help, and turning off OK Garmin may help some owners.
Garmin Edge 1050 Varia light network switches from Auto to Individual every ride, RearVue 820 and UT800 lights wrong
An Edge 1050 owner finds that the Varia light network changes from Auto to Individual on every ride, which leaves the RearVue 820 and UT800 lights behaving wrongly.
The workaround is to set the mode back to Auto manually once the network has formed, and to check it before each ride. Garmin has asked for videos of the fault.
Garmin Edge 1050 Bluetooth sync with iPhone never finishes on firmware 32.20 and no workout notifications
An Edge 1050 on firmware 32.20 never finishes its Bluetooth sync with an iPhone, and workout notifications do not arrive.
Wi-Fi sync works as an alternative. A Garmin Express sync worked for some owners, but not on newer Macs.
Garmin Forerunner 265 graphics failure after October 2026 update, watch faces and icons gone and software bundle shows 0.0
After the October 2026 update, a Forerunner 265 lost its watch faces and icons, and the software bundle showed 0.0.
A later Garmin update fixed the fault for two owners. A reinstall through the developer menu did not fix it for the original poster, so updating is the better first step.
Garmin Enduro 3 too much elevation gain on bike rides, road bike profile shows double the climbing of my Edge
An Enduro 3 owner records about double the climbing on bike rides compared with an Edge bike computer when using the road bike profile.
Recording with a trail running or hiking profile gives more sensible elevation figures. Cleaning the barometer port has not been confirmed to help.
Garmin Enduro 3 touchscreen still active during swim in triathlon multisport mode, screen will not lock
On an Enduro 3 in triathlon multisport mode, the touchscreen stays active during the swim and will not lock.
Garmin staff say software 23.39 fixes this, although owners have not yet confirmed it. Until then, use Change sport rather than Switch back to when moving between legs.
More from last week’s Fix Files roundup.
Browse every issue in the archive at the Deep Dive Fix Files hub.
Last Updated on 13 November 2026 by tfk the5krunner
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin with any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafing stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable arches, perfect position. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Health, recovery and sleep
- Kineon MOVE+: Red and infrared light for sore knees, Achilles and other joints after hard training. I use it.
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet. Occasional use.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors. I use it.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used. Occasional use.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions. I use both.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Ravemen FR1000: The light and the computer mount in one unit, so nothing else goes on the bars. Better than mine.
- Ravemen FR1500SE: 1,500 lumens hanging under your Garmin, for proper night rides.
- Ravemen FR1100SE: 1,100 lumens under your Garmin, and up to 46 hours on slow flash.
- Ravemen FR500: A brighter FR300 with the same mount.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home via Starling. I use it.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. See the gear tfk uses. ID
