Garmin 7x5 series devices bricked by firmware update?

Things are still a little early with this one, but a sizable number of reports have cropped up today indicating that there's some seriously wrong with Garmin's 7x5 series GPS units, with a firmware update seemingly the likely culprit. Interestingly, it doesn't look like the firmware update instantly bricked the units when it was installed, but rather caused them all to suddenly seize up at some point on June 22nd. While it's not saying anything official just yet, a number of folks that have spoken with Garmin's customer support say that the company is aware of the problem now that the calls are pouring in, although it's unfortunately not offering much in the way of solutions to the problem just yet (though at least a few customers seem to have been offered a replacement unit). So, has your nuvi left you in the lurch? Let us know in comments.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Update: Garmin is aware of the issue and is working to fix it. Full response is after the break.

It has come to our attention that the Garmin nüvi 7x5 series has a firmware error that is causing some devices to perform an unprompted GPS software update and in some cases shut down. Garmin is aware of this issue and we are working diligently on a solution. We know our customers rely upon their GPS devices and we apologize for any inconvenience this has caused. Developing quality products always has been and continues to be a priority at Garmin. For regular updates about this issue, please visit www.garmin.com/support.

[bandigolo @ Jun 23rd 2009 2:43PM]

Ouch. Firmware brick? Someone at Garmin is getting axed today...

[Jsocontrer @ Jun 23rd 2009 2:45PM]

I had to go pick up my fiancée at the the metro station near the big metro crash in DC. Half way through my navigation decided to update. After the update, it would not find a signal. I turned it off and then back on and it work for a few minutes and then it updated again and signal would go away. Luckily I was able to see a list of all the turns so I was ok. The garmin eventually started working again after I turned it on and off several times and it actually got me out of the city pretty quickly.

[henry @ Jun 23rd 2009 2:45PM]

Uh, I believe that is "seized up" or "ceased to work" but ceased up is weird.

[bandigolo @ Jun 23rd 2009 2:54PM]

+1

[Pete @ Jun 23rd 2009 2:53PM]

This isn't the first time I've seen a Garmin Firmware brick a device. Happened to mine and my father's Nuvis before. Garmin US' response was send it back (pay) and we will fix it. So, I found that the people at Garmin France were more than happy enough to give me the directions on how to repair the device. Pointed me directly to the information on their website for a step-by-step fix. The US Garmin just wanted to make a buck - even though an end-user could have fixed the issue.

[Xerolux @ Jun 23rd 2009 2:53PM]

I was on my way back from a client's house, the unit updated (automatically, thanks Garmin!) itself. When it restarted, the unit downloaded again. After it finished, my GPS went "blind". It couldn't find the satellites.

Way to go, Garmin.

[IsLNdbOi @ Jun 23rd 2009 2:53PM]

I'm one of the ones affected by this. On my way home from work yesterday afternoon (the 22nd of June), I saw some update window popup on my Nuvi 765T's screen. After the update window went away, the 765T powered off and I haven't been able to power it on since. I've plugged it into the AC adapter, into a USB port on my PC and have tried resetting the unit.

Nothing works. My PC doesn't see it when it's plugged in.

After a couple of hour long holds on the phone with Garmin, I was given an RMA number and told that they'll be sending me a refurbished Nuvi 765T. If it's a chipset problem then sending me a refurbished unit won't help since it'll have the defective chipset in it too.

[Phour ZwanZig @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:42PM]

mine did the same thing 2 weeks ago and I had the Best Buy warranty so I return'd it, but now am stuck w/ a lower model, but it alteast works.. I used to always get prompts while driving that it was updating BlueTooth, but after the last Firmware update I had done that all went away until 2 weeks ago it pop'd up and then it wouldnt turn back on after it was done.. I had the 780 thou...

[Hagrun @ Jun 24th 2009 2:37PM]

However it's a firmware problem, a problem with the software on the device not with the hardware. I still find it awesome that you paid for a new one and now you're getting a used one. My bosses died as well... I assume by the tears and the red psycho face he's sporting he must be really happy about it.

[Michael @ Jun 23rd 2009 2:58PM]

Mine bricked on my way home from work yesterday (6/22). What a shame. I have still yet to receive a response from Garmin after two emails and waiting on hold for two and a half hours. I think it's pretty lame that the device would just automatically try to install an update without confirmation from the owner of the unit. FAIL Garmin.

[Nanan00 @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:03PM]

Garmin is really good about fixing or replacing failed units from my experience with them. I did a cross ship of my old unit and they sent me a brand new one to replace mine when it bricked a few weeks ago.

[hypergo @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:02PM]

brick-ware...

[IsLNdbOi @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:04PM]

The agent told me that it would take around two weeks to get a replacement. Are they going to give me two additional weeks on my MSN Direct subscription since I won't have a Nuvi to use the subscription with? They want me to pay for shipping as well when it was their update that screwed up the Nuvi.

[pwaggs @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:05PM]

Add my 785T to the mix. Died this morning while I am on business in Miami. Splash screen came up with updating successful. I hit OK. This happened many times. I finally turned the unit off and back on. Same thing happened in a few minutes. Finally unit flicked off and has not recovered. It is bricked now.

I called Garmin Tech. 55 minute hold and then a technician gave me an RMA and told me that there would be about a 1 week turn around to get a new device. Ughhh...

Unfortunately, even if there is eventually a software fix, my device is bricked. I cannot even get my computer to recognize it. No way to power cycle it up.

[slyd3z @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:16PM]

I could understand this being a risk of using hacked or third-party firmware, but factory brickage? Colossal fail.

[Ken Rosenberg @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:20PM]

My 755T died yesterday on the way home from work. Thought it was something I did until I started to see the comments this morning. Haven't decided if I'm going to send it back or wait and see if there's a software fix available.

[IsLNdbOi @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:32PM]

If your unit is bricked (won't power on and PC doesn't see it anymore when it's plugged in), how do you think you're going to get that update installed?

[yogi @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:20PM]

Speaking of Garmin GPSsesses, does anyone happen to know whether any of the other (non-Garmin) GPS units work in Northwestern Montana? Garmin's street maps (including the 2010 versions) are brain-dead. So are Google's for that matter. MapQuest maps are accurate, but don't exist on my GPS. :(

[DanielT @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:30PM]

Glad iPhone is getting TomTom. Garmin for Pre?

[jdadamsjr @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:39PM]

Thus far, we haven't proven that all 765's have this issue... some have posted that's theirs are fine....

[Michael @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:33PM]

I remember when I used to brag to my friends about my awesome 755T, and they were so impressed when they saw it. Now I just have a nice looking BRICK!! Thanks a lot Garmin. Perhaps next time you decided to auto update all of you paying customers units, you can maybe test it first!

[Erik @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:55PM]

I am SO righteously p'od right now. I was on hold with these SOBs for an hour and then they disconnected my call. I have a Nuvi 765T (my FIFTH Garmin over the years!!) and they made absolutely NO mention of being aware of this problem I just happened to find this article while on hold. Now I am right back to the beginning...waiting on hold. Damn you, Garmin.

[Zdenek Kovar @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:36PM]

My 765T died toady morning and after automatic update popup, turned it off and now i haven't been able to power it on. ;-(

[Pip @ Jun 23rd 2009 3:38PM]

My 2 day old 765T died 18:30 BST. Garmin won't be getting my business when I get a replacement unit and it's a shame as I liked the functionality but wouldn't be happy staying with a vendor who not only lets this happen but has not yet issued a press release over 24 hours after it was first seen.

[rickiac @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:07PM]

765T bricked last night (6/22). I emailed Garmin this morning, still no reply. I just found this article. I'll say one thing, I am NOT paying for shipping if they bricked my unit! Everyone with this problem should insist they pay shipping both ways since it was thier update that caused this problem in the first place.

[Jim @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:08PM]

My 755T stopped working yesterday too.

[Gorilla800lbs @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:17PM]

Wait, 7x5 series can update themselves over the air?!

Note how Engadget's pic of Garmin screen shows the GPS advising to change lane across a solid white line.

I have an oldie but goodie nuvi 350. My wife navigated probably 50K miles with it. The only time this nuvi failed was when my wife left it on a barstool at a jobsite and a 220 lbs contractor sat on it, cracking the screen.

[teej @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:25PM]

the Conficker strikes at last!

[Justin @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:28PM]

Can someone confirm that the 765 can update itself over the air, meaning over satellite? If so I'm not powering mine on till a fix comes out for this. That seems the only thing that CAN be done at this point.

[Izzy @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:47PM]

I"m wondering if it's only the "T" models that are bricking. They are the only ones that receive more than satellite syncing (MSN Direct). Has anyone with a regular (non-T) 7x5 unit bricked?

[Izzy @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:38PM]

My Nuvi 785 totally bricked. Luckily we have our handheld and phone GPS' if needed.

[JS @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:46PM]

Sounds like the GPS drove into a brick wall.

[jdmtsx @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:49PM]

Good thing i returned my 785t for a 885t

[terryandbella @ Jun 23rd 2009 4:53PM]

I just ran my 755T for about 2 hours with MSN direct enabled, no issues, no random update.
There has to be some common variable among everyone that is crashing, either a manufacture date or something.

[j.motha.effn.starr @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:03PM]

WOW!!!! I'm not sure if that's the actual display on how the 3D maps look on the Garmin but that ish looks pretty effin sick. I like the way it displays this signs as it would on an actual highway

[Dov @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:11PM]

That's the Lane Guidance view, which pops up like that for certain off-ramps.

[gutier @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:24PM]

it looks good right. not exactly the way it looks when u drive southbound I-35E by downtown Dallas. but pretty cool.

[The Commenter Formerly Known as (kbomb1upc) @ Jun 24th 2009 4:34PM]

Yep my 765T died too... I'm sending Garmin an email (because the phone wait would have been longer than 30 mins) and waiting for a response. I hope they can fix this cause I paid WAY TO MUCH MONEY for crap like this.

[Dov @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:10PM]

Add my 755T to the list... Said "Acquiring Satellites" all the way in to work this morning.

[kim_h @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:21PM]

I can't find my way out of a paper bag and am pretty reliant on my Sat Nav - now I'm stuck with a brick. I got the GPS pop-up message yesterday and again today. My 765T finally died tonight.

[michaelabigelow @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:34PM]

We had the problem with the 755T. Short term had to take it apart and disconnect it from the battery. They replaced the unit.

[JH @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:35PM]

I have a Garmin 755T, purchased it a few months ago, and went ahead and got the 2010 map update since it was free as you are allowed the one free update within a certain amount of time after you purchased it. I haven't used my Garmin for about a month, it's been sitting in it's carrying case battery fully charged. I read the news about the 7x5 series having issues today, and saw the comments from people experiencing problems.

My question is, are all the units affected, and how did the units become affected in the first place? I just took my Garmin out and have it sitting on my window sill and it booted up fine. I am at the "Where to?"/"View Map" screen and everything appears to be normal. Any idea how I can verify if mine will have this problem? Should I just leave it on all day or is mine ok since it booted up? Any suggestions would be helpful, thank you.

[JH @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:37PM]

Also I just hooked up to my PC using the supplied cable from Garmin, it seemed to connect just fine, and now I am looking at the screen with the Garmin logo on it and a small box showing my Garmin connected to my PC. I will admit I am not as knowledgeable when it comes to my GPS as most others here probably, but is this screen normal when hooked to a PC?

[Izzy @ Jun 24th 2009 8:19AM]

It seems fine for you, so far. But since this is affecting people sporadically (the pattern hasn't been made public by Garmin) who knows if it will happen to you. When was the last time you ran the WebUpdate utility?

[JH @ Jun 24th 2009 1:29PM]

I decided to run the WebUpdate yesterday actually, after I read about the problems. The only updates were American Jack and American Jill voice prompts so I downloaded them without any problems. I don't keep my Garmin in my car, I only use it when I need to, so perhaps I will hook it up today and do my normal driving and see if it acts differently.

[dcoaster @ Jun 23rd 2009 5:56PM]

Probably has something to do with June 21st being the longest day of the year... The GPS didn't like that days were getting shorter now so it says it will not boot. =)

[spyder91 @ Jun 23rd 2009 6:01PM]

Mine just died completely. Started with the satellite loss saying "GPS Update Complete".


Must...Kill...Mo...er uh Garmin

[kjf18 @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:04PM]

My 2-month-old 755t lost its ability to track satellites last night, and then died completely this morning. Will not power on. Was on hold with Garming for over an hour. Got an RMA. The units on its way back to Garmin now.

KJF

[Bootleg Zani @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:10PM]

Chill I am not powering on my 765T today.

[The Stock @ Jun 23rd 2009 7:20PM]

My 780 is doing fine. I've had it for 10 days.