I have purchased a Garmin nuvi 255W from a local Staples store which comes with an auto power cord for recharging. I also want to charge my unit from an AC 110 v plug in home. To this end I also purchased a unit from Staples that provides output of 5.OVdc 500 mA via a USB plug that fits my Garmin. Question: will the 5.OVdc 500 mA output safely charge my new Garmin 255w ?

Hello,

Is this the USB data cable or is it the vehicle power cable?
Is it possible that you may have the wrong cable for the nuvi 255W?
The proper data cable is Garmin part number 010-10723-01.
The proper vehicle power cable is part number 010-10723-06.

Hello,

Recharging the battery is done by connecting the nuvi to a vehicle power cable in the car through the vehicle power accessory outlet or cigarette lighter.
The unit can also be charged via a powered USB port off your computer via the USB power/data cable or an AC power adapter through the USB power/data cable.

Have you tried a hard reset? There is a hard reset button under the sticker at the bottom of the unit. It is located directly under the check mark on the sticker. Once you get it going fully charge the unit then go to the Garmin website and register and update your 255w. I will attach the link to the Garmin Site. Thanks for using FixYa

https://my.garmin.com/mygarmin/registrationGettingStarted.htm?productType=auto&categoryType=AUTO

Hello,

If you have a USB port with a high enough power input then you can charge the unit off a USB, but not all USB ports will have enough power to charge your unit.

Hope this helps!

There are no free updates. You can buy the current version OR you can buy the lifetime update package. Go to your retail store or to Garmin.com

I have a garmin 255W when turning on all itdoes is go to a white screen with black dot thatsay Press dot .It wont turn on how do you fix this

yes you got one when you purchased your garmin. it has the typical flat end for the computer and a much smaller trapezoidal end for the garmin. I would go to a radio shack store with the nuvi and see if they can provide a cord. OR go to garmin.com and order a new one. ................or hit up a buddy who also has the garmin nuvi. good luck.

From dead flat it takes about 9-10 hours
do not leave on charger for more than that otherwise you will overheat and burn it out.
After each use recharge for about 3-4 hours depending on whether the unit has been used for that lengthyof time

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;} There are three ways to charge the internal battery in your automotive GPS unit.1

1. Use the provided vehicle power cable that came with your GPS unit. The unit will charge while powered on and using the device as well as when the GPS unit is powered off and plugged into a running vehicle. About 3 hrs for a full charge. If the unit will not charge in the vehicle, check the fuse in the power cable for the unit and the power outlet in the vehicle.
2. Use an AC power adaptor. Some units come with this power cable to plug the GPS unit into a wall outlet allowing the GPS unit to take a charge. For units that do not come with this cable, one can be purchased from Garmin's online store.
3. For most units, the final way of charging the battery is to plug the GPS into a powered on computer with a USB cable2. This method of charging will be a trickle charge and it may take longer (like a full day) than the other two options, however it will still charge the battery. A USB cable is provided with a few GPS models. For those that don't come with this cable, one can either be ordered from the online store or you can use a standard USB to mini-USB cable that fits the unit and plugs into your computer.

1 - Please note that temperature can play an effect on the charging of a device. If the battery registers a temperature of 0°C and below or 45°C and above (32°F and 113°F respectively) then it will not charge. When connected to external power it will only be operating off of external power.
2 - The Quest® and Quest® 2 will not charge using a USB cable.

Sorry but you'll have to call Garmin. Never purchase anything from a store going out of business unless you check it out in the store and your happy it works.