Garmin Nuvi 205 can't unlock maps

You can get details of how to unlock your maps at http://www.fixya.com/support/r6197735-no_detailed_maps_found_support_routing

You should also back up your favourites folder when you've unlocked the map. You'll get details of how to do this at http://www.fixya.com/support/r8422587-backup_restore_favourites_garmin_nuvi

The "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" message may appear on your device for the following reasons:

• The GPS device is missing it's unlock code
• The maps on the GPS device have been disabled

To determine the cause of the message, touch the screen until the message "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" disappears.

• If you see a "Can't Unlock Maps" message following this error, remove any microSD / SD cards in the device and follow the instructions below for Retrieving your unlock codes followed by the instructions for Creating an unlock file

• If you do not get the Can't Unlock Maps message then skip to the instructions for Enabling maps on the GPS device

To retrieve unlock codes you need to have your satnav registered with garmin. If you haven't already registered it connect the satnav to your computer and go to https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myGarminHome.faces and click Register your garmin device. Follow the prompts. You'll be asked to create a username and password. Write them down and keep them safe. You'll need them anytime you need to update your maps or solve problems in the future.

Retrieving your unlock codes:

1. Log into your myGarmin account
2. Select Manage Maps
3. Select Details
4. The unlock code is located under the Installed Maps.

Creating an unlock code file for PC:

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Creating an unlock code file for Mac:

1. Open the TextEdit application located in the Applications folder on the Mac HD
2. Click Format
3. Select Make Plain Text
4. Type in the unlock code that you retrieved from your mygarmin account. The unlock code should be in all capital letters and with no dashes.
5. Click Save As and name the file as gmapprom.unl (Note: Be sure to uncheck the box If no extension is provided, use .txt)
6. Copy the gmapprom.unl file to the GARMIN folder on your device. (Note: Save the file directly to the Garmin mass-storage device if connected)

If you have a second maps you may also need to unlock it e.g. if the first map is USA and second is EUROPE this may also need to be unlocked

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the European unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account. This will need to be typed in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom1.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Enabling maps on the GPS device:

1. Touch the wrench icon on the Where to/View map screen
2. Touch Settings
3. Touch Map
4. Touch Map Info
5. Select the checkbox next to the maps to be enabled on the device

The "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" message may appear on your device for the following reasons:

• The GPS device is missing it's unlock code
• The maps on the GPS device have been disabled

To determine the cause of the message, touch the screen until the message "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" disappears.

• If you see a "Can't Unlock Maps" message following this error, remove any microSD / SD cards in the device and follow the instructions below for Retrieving your unlock codes followed by the instructions for Creating an unlock file

• If you do not get the Can't Unlock Maps message then skip to the instructions for Enabling maps on the GPS device

To retrieve unlock codes you need to have your satnav registered with garmin. If you haven't already registered it connect the satnav to your computer and go to https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myGarminHome.faces and click Register your garmin device. Follow the prompts. You'll be asked to create a username and password. Write them down and keep them safe. You'll need them anytime you need to update your maps or solve problems in the future.

Retrieving your unlock codes:

1. Log into your myGarmin account
2. Select Manage Maps
3. Select Details
4. The unlock code is located under the Installed Maps.

Creating an unlock code file for PC:

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Creating an unlock code file for Mac:

1. Open the TextEdit application located in the Applications folder on the Mac HD
2. Click Format
3. Select Make Plain Text
4. Type in the unlock code that you retrieved from your mygarmin account. The unlock code should be in all capital letters and with no dashes.
5. Click Save As and name the file as gmapprom.unl (Note: Be sure to uncheck the box If no extension is provided, use .txt)
6. Copy the gmapprom.unl file to the GARMIN folder on your device. (Note: Save the file directly to the Garmin mass-storage device if connected)

If you have a second maps you may also need to unlock it e.g. if the first map is USA and second is EUROPE this may also need to be unlocked

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the European unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account. This will need to be typed in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom1.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Enabling maps on the GPS device:

1. Touch the wrench icon on the Where to/View map screen
2. Touch Settings
3. Touch Map
4. Touch Map Info
5. Select the checkbox next to the maps to be enabled on the device

The "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" message may appear on your device for the following reasons:

• The GPS device is missing it's unlock code
• The maps on the GPS device have been disabled

To determine the cause of the message, touch the screen until the message "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" disappears.

• If you see a "Can't Unlock Maps" message following this error, remove any microSD / SD cards in the device and follow the instructions below for Retrieving your unlock codes followed by the instructions for Creating an unlock file

• If you do not get the Can't Unlock Maps message then skip to the instructions for Enabling maps on the GPS device

To retrieve unlock codes you need to have your satnav registered with garmin. If you haven't already registered it connect the satnav to your computer and go to https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myGarminHome.faces and click Register your garmin device. Follow the prompts. You'll be asked to create a username and password. Write them down and keep them safe. You'll need them anytime you need to update your maps or solve problems in the future.

Retrieving your unlock codes:

1. Log into your myGarmin account
2. Select Manage Maps
3. Select Details
4. The unlock code is located under the Installed Maps.

Creating an unlock code file for PC:

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Creating an unlock code file for Mac:

1. Open the TextEdit application located in the Applications folder on the Mac HD
2. Click Format
3. Select Make Plain Text
4. Type in the unlock code that you retrieved from your mygarmin account. The unlock code should be in all capital letters and with no dashes.
5. Click Save As and name the file as gmapprom.unl (Note: Be sure to uncheck the box If no extension is provided, use .txt)
6. Copy the gmapprom.unl file to the GARMIN folder on your device. (Note: Save the file directly to the Garmin mass-storage device if connected)

If you have a second maps you may also need to unlock it e.g. if the first map is USA and second is EUROPE this may also need to be unlocked

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the European unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account. This will need to be typed in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom1.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Enabling maps on the GPS device:

1. Touch the wrench icon on the Where to/View map screen
2. Touch Settings
3. Touch Map
4. Touch Map Info
5. Select the checkbox next to the maps to be enabled on the device

The "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" message may appear on your device for the following reasons:

• The GPS device is missing it's unlock code
• The maps on the GPS device have been disabled

To determine the cause of the message, touch the screen until the message "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" disappears.

• If you see a "Can't Unlock Maps" message following this error, remove any microSD / SD cards in the device and follow the instructions below for Retrieving your unlock codes followed by the instructions for Creating an unlock file

• If you do not get the Can't Unlock Maps message then skip to the instructions for Enabling maps on the GPS device at the bottom of this solution
  

To retrieve your unlock codes you must first register your satnav if you haven’t already done so.
To registe;

• · Connect the satnav to your computer.

• · Go to www.garmin.com and select your country

• · Click on “myGarmin”

• · Click on “Register Your Garmin Product” and follow the prompts

You’ll be asked to create a username and password. Write them down and keep them safe as you’ll need them anytime you want to update your maps.
Retrieving your unlock codes:

1. Log into your myGarmin account
2. Select Manage Maps
3. Select Details
4. The unlock code is located under the Installed Maps.

Creating an unlock code file for PC:

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Enabling maps on the GPS device:

1. Touch the wrench icon on the Where to/View map screen
2. Touch Settings
3. Touch Map
4. Touch Map Info
5. Select the checkbox next to the maps to be enabled on the device

The "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" message may appear on your device for the following reasons:

• The GPS device is missing it's unlock code
• The maps on the GPS device have been disabled

To determine the cause of the message, touch the screen until the message "No Detailed Maps Found That Support Routing" disappears.

• If you see a "Can't Unlock Maps" message following this error, remove any microSD / SD cards in the device and follow the instructions below for Retrieving your unlock codes followed by the instructions for Creating an unlock file

• If you do not get the Can't Unlock Maps message then skip to the instructions for Enabling maps on the GPS device

To retrieve unlock codes you need to have your satnav registered with garmin. If you haven't already registered it connect the satnav to your computer and go to https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/customers/myGarminHome.faces and click Register your garmin device. Follow the prompts. You'll be asked to create a username and password. Write them down and keep them safe. You'll need them anytime you need to update your maps or solve problems in the future.

Retrieving your unlock codes:

1. Log into your myGarmin account
2. Select Manage Maps
3. Select Details
4. The unlock code is located under the Installed Maps.

Creating an unlock code file for PC:

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Creating an unlock code file for Mac:

1. Open the TextEdit application located in the Applications folder on the Mac HD
2. Click Format
3. Select Make Plain Text
4. Type in the unlock code that you retrieved from your mygarmin account. The unlock code should be in all capital letters and with no dashes.
5. Click Save As and name the file as gmapprom.unl (Note: Be sure to uncheck the box If no extension is provided, use .txt)
6. Copy the gmapprom.unl file to the GARMIN folder on your device. (Note: Save the file directly to the Garmin mass-storage device if connected)

*nuvi x70 owners with transatlantic mapping will need to follow the Creating an unlock code file instructions above for their U.S. mapping and then create another unlock file for their European maps:

1. Plug your Garmin device into the USB port
2. Double-Click on My Computer or Computer located on the desktop
3. Right-Click on the Garmin or nuvi drive
4. Click Explore
5. Double-Click on the Garmin folder
6. Right-Click in a blank space in this window
7. Move your mouse over the word New
8. Select Text Document
9. Press Enter / Return on your keyboard
10. Double-Click on the New Text Document. This will open the New Text Document in a window called Notepad
11. Type the European unlock code that is listed in the Manage Maps section of your myGarmin account. This will need to be typed in all upper-case letters with no spaces
12. Select File
13. Select Save As
14. Change the Save As Type to All Files
15. Type gmapprom1.unl in all lower-case letters for the File name
16. Select Save
17. Close the Notepad window
18. Delete the New Text Document file
19. Disconnect the GPS device from your computer

Enabling maps on the GPS device:

1. Touch the wrench icon on the Where to/View map screen
2. Touch Settings
3. Touch Map
4. Touch Map Info
5. Select the checkbox next to the maps to be enabled on the device

I've been trawling for unanswered questions; this information may be too late for you (or perhaps it may help you resurrect a useless machine which you have put away) but it will certainly help others searching for advice with the same problem.

You have Garmin Lock activated on your nuvi: there are only two ways you can unlock it.

1. Enter the PIN code (but you clearly don't have it or you wouldn't be reading this).

2. Take the unit to the Security Location you chose when activating Garmin Lock: it will then unlock without the PIN code and you can then either reset the PIN or disable Garmin Lock. The Security Location should not be the owner's home address, but many owners ignore this recommendation. Many owners choose their workplace or a close friend or relatives address for this purpose.

If neither option works then your unit is useless unless you send it to Garmin with proof of purchase. Garmin charge for the service and if your maps are not up to date then it's really a waste of money as the investment would be better spent on a new unit with current mapping.

I hope that you manage to either fix your problem using my advice or at least can decide whether to abandon the unit and buy another.

I do know a 'workaround' to Garmin's copy-protection for maps you legally are entitled to use, but before that, when a Garmin Nuvi 205 stops working or behaves strangely, there are two steps you can take yourself to try and get it going again:

1. Perform a Hard Reset,
2. Run WebUpdater to reinstall that firmware.

I hope that helps.

Whenever Garmin Nuvis have map problems, I recommend performing a hard reset of your Gamin Nuvi 205. Also, use Garmin's WebUpdater service to make sure you have the latest software on your device.

I hope that helps.

I would reset the whole unit to factory specs & then load map.