In recent weeks, owners of several popular Garmin wearables have faced significant disruptions following a recent firmware rollout. The update, intended to enhance performance, has instead left many high-end devices—specifically the Forerunner 165, 265, and 965—suffering from critical functional failures.
Below is an overview of the current situation and the impact on Garmin users.
Critical Bugs Reported in Firmware Version 27.09
The trouble stems from the release of system software version 27.09. While Garmin updates usually aim to fix bugs or introduce new metrics, this specific version has triggered a wave of reports from users who claim their smartwatches have been rendered “nearly unusable.”
The most severe symptoms include a total breakdown of the watch’s core tracking capabilities. Users on official Garmin forums and platforms, such as Reddit, have reported that their devices have suddenly stopped recording steps, tracking sleep patterns, or monitoring heart rates. In some extreme cases, the watch fails to sync time via GPS, effectively turning a $400+ fitness tool into a basic digital clock with limited utility.
Widespread Synchronization and Sensor Failures
Beyond the loss of health metrics, the update has reportedly crippled the connection between the watches and smartphones. Many users are no longer receiving smart notifications, and the “LiveTrack” feature has become unreliable for many.
Commonly reported issues include:
-
Sensor Blackouts: Heart rate and SpO2 sensors failing to activate.
-
Activity Tracking Crashes: The device freezes or reboots when attempting to save a workout.
-
UI Lag: Significant interface slowdowns and unresponsive touchscreens.
-
Battery Drain: A sharp increase in power consumption, even when the watch is idle.
Affected Models and User Reactions
While the Forerunner 165 appears to be the most heavily impacted, owners of the more expensive Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 965 have also voiced similar grievances. The frustration among the community is palpable, particularly because Garmin is often praised for the stability of its ecosystem compared to competitors.
While some users have found temporary relief through a “hard reset” (holding the power button until the device shuts down), many others report that even a full factory restore does not roll back the firmware or solve the underlying sensor issues.
Current Status and Official Response
As of now, the update appears to have reached approximately 50% of the eligible devices before the severity of the bugs became apparent. Garmin’s support teams have acknowledged some of these issues in forum threads, often advising users to provide log files to help developers identify the root cause.
For those who haven’t yet installed version 27.09, the consensus among the community is to disable automatic updates immediately. For those already affected, the only current solution is to wait for a “hotfix” or a new beta version (such as the recently spotted 17.05 for other models) that specifically addresses these regressions.
Also Read: Garmin releases stable update 27.09 for Forerunner 965, 955, 265, 255, and 165: What’s new?
