A few days ago, Garmin pushed out its fresh stable software update, version 23.39, for the Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, Enduro 3, and Tactix 8 lineup. As we previously reported, the update brought several new features and improvements to these flagship outdoor wearables.
However, tech updates don’t always go smoothly for everyone. Today, checking in on the official Garmin Forums, we noticed that some users are running into frustrating bugs after installing the 23.39 update.
Before we dive into the details, it is important to point out one key fact: this is not happening to everyone. The vast majority of users have updated their devices with zero problems. But for a specific group of users, the latest firmware has introduced some notable headaches.
What Problems Are Users Facing?
Reports shared across the Garmin community boards point to a few specific issues affecting owners of devices like the Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED and Tactix 8.
The most serious complaint involves the optical heart rate sensor. Some users found that right after installing update 23.39, their wrist heart rate sensor went completely dark. The optical green and red LEDs refuse to turn on, which means no live heart rate tracking, no Pulse Ox readings, and no overnight HRV data.
Alongside the sensor issues, some owners have noticed missing notification vibrations. While smart notifications like WhatsApp messages still appear normally on the watch screen, the device fails to vibrate for them—even though the vibration motor itself is working fine for regular alarms.
Additionally, battery life has become a talking point for a few users. Some noticed higher-than-normal power consumption after the update, with users pointing out that keeping the new “OK Garmin” voice-listening feature active can significantly lower estimated battery runtime until it is disabled.
Garmin Has Not Acknowledged the Issue Yet
As frustration grows on the forums, many affected users are looking for an official word from the company. So far, Garmin has not officially acknowledged the bug or released a statement regarding these specific post-update issues. Because the problem only impacts a fraction of users rather than everyone who installed version 23.39, official troubleshooting or a direct hotfix announcement has not yet been provided by the company.
What Are Users Doing to Fix It?
Community members have been quick to share troubleshooting tips. While simple steps like restarting the watch or reinstalling version 23.39 haven’t worked for everyone facing the sensor bug, some users found success by temporarily rolling back to older software versions (like 22.44) to refresh the underlying sensor hub software before updating again.
Other affected owners are reaching out directly to Garmin support or checking with their retailers for replacements if hardware sensor failures persist.
Have you updated your Fenix 8, Fenix 8 Pro, or Tactix 8 to version 23.39 yet? Let us know in the comments if your watch is running smoothly or if you have noticed any unusual battery or sensor behavior!
Also Read: Garmin Breaks Down Massive Summer 2026 Software Updates in New Official Guide
After the update, I had a high battery consumption. Made a hard reset and it went back to normal.
Thanks for your feedback Alain