Garmin Approach G3 Handheld GPS Receiver Logo

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Posted on Jun 28, 2010
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My garmin approach 3 will not acquire a gps signal. Why?

1 Answer

Ray Smythe

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  • Expert 69 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 03, 2018
Ray Smythe
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Joined: Jan 28, 2010
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There are many reasons for a GPS to fail to acquire signals from the satellites. You should be outdoors with a clear sky the first time you attempt to get it to work. If it's worked before, but stopped working, it may be defective. Garmin recommends many thing to do at this link:
https://support.garmin.com/faqSearch/en-US/faq/content/YyCZrQHhuf6PO6qTKdvvr9

4 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 1 Answer
  • Posted on Jan 12, 2009

SOURCE: Garmin NUVI 650 acquiring satellites

  • Make Sure the GPS has a good, clear view of the sky. “Clear” does not need to be sunny. Overcast skies have no noticeable impact on GPS performance. But buildings and trees do. So take the GPS outside where you have the biggest sky view as you can.
  • Next, wait for the GPS to acquire a signal. If this is the first time you have used it, expect it to take up to 20 minutes to find a signal. Most often it will take less, but prepare for 20 minute. Now for an important step… Once it has found your location, let it continue to sit there for about 30 minutes.

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Anonymous

  • 949 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 12, 2010

SOURCE: Garmin nuvi 1350 can't find signal

Fist you should travel around with it, and see if in a different area you get satellites.

It could be where you are at, so this does not mean that in another town or state it won't work.

If you try this and still have problems it could be the unit and you should contact the MFG and send it in for repair.

This is the contact support page I posted below if you need it, its a live link so if you click on it the page will open.



http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/cache/offonce/us/support/supportcontact;jsessionid=0D1782886E6A3CF9512F8AEE898B8248

Anonymous

  • 63 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 13, 2010

SOURCE: My garmin 680 gps will not acquire a satellite

This is a problem I see very often and it is due to the flip antenna. Garmin is no longer using this style of antenna because moving parts equal less reliable. Anyhow, I have remedied the problem by plugging in an external antenna in the side of the flip antenna. Sometimes this works.
If that does not help it is time to get the unit fixed or replaced. To find the closest repair depot to you please contact Garmin 1-800-800-1020

Cheers
Jesse GPS

Testimonial: "help me thanks."

Anonymous

  • 6 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 28, 2011

SOURCE: my garmin gps 12 is not acquiring any satellites.

does it have a clear line of site to the sky? Make sure your outside!

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My brand new Garmin Approach G6 will not acquire a GPS signal. Is there some way to correct the problem?

All gps units need a clear view of the sky to collect enough data for a proper "fix". The less obstructions there are, the faster & more accurate the fix will be.

Initially, the first fix may take up to 20 minutes. Long acquisition times typically occur when the unit is powered up after being moved hundreds or miles or more since its last fix. This would be the case from manufacturing location in China where it was shut off to where ever you are now when you turned it on.

Acquisition times after this should be significantly less (10 - 60 seconds)

I hope this helps and good luck.
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My Garmin Nuvi 3790T will not acquire a satellite signal

Hello,

Does the GPS work outside of the vehicle?
Where is the GPS mounted?
If the GPS is under the dash, mounting it up on top of the dash will help.
If the Vauxhall has a windshield with a reflective metallic coating or treatment in the glass, this may result in poor GPS satellite reception.
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Updated unit and still acquiring satelites is showing, what can i do?

If your unit is still acquiring satellite, then it means the signal strength is weak, try to get it outside where it can be facing the sky directly so it will be able to acquire satellite. Once you just update your gps receiver, it seems like it is brand new and when it wants to first acquire satellite, it might take longer to do so. But if it has access to the sky directly, it should take about 3 to 5 minutes to acquire.
If your unit is indoor, it may not acquire satellite, even if it is close to the window, it will not, but if it is outside, then it will acquire faster.
Check if you have any protective coating on your windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit from receiving signal from the satellite. Try to see if your gps receiver can use an antenna, then connect one to it and your gps will acquire satellite.
Try to reset your gps first before trying any other solution for the unit.
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GPS wont aquire a satellite

    Hello there and happy new year
    If Your Unit Cannot Acquire Satellite Signals
  1. For your Garmin GPS unit to acquire the satellite signals it needs to function properly, the unit must be taken outside, away from mountains, tall buildings and heavy foliage where it can get a clear view of the sky. Keep the unit stationary for several minutes while the GPS unit acquires the necessary satellite signals.It may take several minutes for the unit to locate a good solid signal
  2. OK
  3. Hope this is very helpful please keep me posted on this ok?
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While driving Garmin Nuvi 250 constantly loses satellite signal. The screen says that it is aquiring a signal. It is also constantly refiguring the route.

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} As GPS units are used, data is gathered which helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the ideal condition for acquiring satellites. Please know that there can be several different factors that may cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:
  • If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
  • If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
  • If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
  • If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
  • If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
  • If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
    • If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.
If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.
1helpful
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Cannot acquire satellites and freezes

Hi,
use the web-updater at garmin
or update the firmware at garmin,
turn WAAS on

turn GPS signal off
go outside after the update
turn GPS signal back on ( takes upto 15 mins to locate satelites )

should be good

Regards
Richard.
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Garmin iQue M5, Not aquiring satellites

Two possibilities - Antenna (in power cable) or electronics related to antenna. First, do a hard reset. Place the pen top into the RESET hole for 3 seconds...
Next, when the unit is powered, page over to the screen showing satellite signal strength....

If NONE appear within 1 minute (and you are outside and NOT under trees), you have an antenna or antenna interface issue.

Garmin WILL repair the unit for 3 to 4 times its value... A 265WT GPS is cheaper, faster and more accurate. The IQUE is no longer worth repairing....
-Jim
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Garmin 260w won't acquire satellites

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} As GPS units are used, data is gathered which helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the ideal condition for acquiring satellites. Please know that there can be several different factors that may cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:
  • If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
  • If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
  • If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
  • If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
  • If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
  • If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
    • If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.
If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.
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I cannot acquire satellites signal. What to do ?

I experienced the same problem about acquiring satellite signal even when it's a clear sunny day. After 30 mintues, it was still searching! The unit appeared to have "stuck" in this acquiring mode. The following worked for me: 1) open the GPS antenna 2) press the bottom left screen while holding the power button to turn the unit on 3) enter maintenace mode 4) select diagnostics 5) clear error report, do NOT clear any user data 6) restart unit the usual way My GPS 350 was able to acquire satellite signal in less than 1 minute after the above steps were taken.
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