Garmin's update article uses a computer: install Garmin Express the first time, connect the watch with its USB charging cable, launch Garmin Express, select Add Device or your watch, and when the available updates appear choose Install or Install All, accepting any terms or notes. Disconnect and the watch asks Install Now or Install Tonight; if you miss the prompt, go to Settings, System, Software Update, Update Available. Garmin's separate article on Garmin Express errors covers a stalled or failing install: it lists fixes for the app itself, and a stuck Preparing update has its own article.
In practice the checks are the cable and port, enough battery, a working internet connection, and an up-to-date Garmin Express. A rebooting or frozen watch should be updated the same way. After an update, expect a one-time battery increase while it installs.
Differential
Likely causes of “Garmin watches software update will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A bad USB cable or port
What separates it Garmin Express does not see the watch because of a bad USB cable or port
How to confirm Try another cable and port, and connect again
- 2
Garmin Express is out of date or broken
What separates it The app errors during the update because Garmin Express is out of date or broken
How to confirm Update or reinstall Garmin Express, and connect again
- 3
A low battery
What separates it The install will not start because of a low battery
How to confirm Charge the watch first, and then update again
- 4
An unstable internet connection
What separates it The download fails because of an unstable internet connection
How to confirm Retry on a stable connection, and update again
- 5
A watch stuck rebooting
What separates it The update cannot complete because the watch is stuck rebooting
How to confirm Update through Garmin Express, and restart the watch
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The product name, part number and current software version
- The exact Garmin Express error that shows
- The computer OS and Garmin Express version
- Whether the watch charges and connects over USB
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedCharge the watch
ReversibleCharge the watch, and make sure that it has enough battery to finish the update.
Connect over USB
ReversibleConnect over USB, by using the Garmin cable and a direct computer port, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Open Garmin Express
ReversibleOpen Garmin Express, and select the watch and check for updates, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Install
ReversibleInstall, by choosing Install or Install All and accepting the prompts, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Finish on the watch
ReversibleFinish on the watch, by choosing Install Now or Install Tonight, or Settings, System, Software Update.
Fix Garmin Express
ReversibleFix Garmin Express, and if it errors, update or reinstall the app and try again.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Updating by model
- Garmin Express updates every model in this group over USB; the Forerunner 965 and 265, Venu 3, vívoactive 5, fēnix 8, epix Pro and Approach S70 also offer software update in Settings, System.
- Storage
- Garmin's manuals list up to 32 GB of media storage on the Forerunner 965 and up to 8 GB on the Forerunner 265, and updates need free space.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models epix Pro (Gen 2), Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, Venu 3/3S, vívoactive 5, Instinct 2X Solar, S70.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If Garmin Express never sees the watch on another computer and cable, contact Garmin Support
- !If the update fails at the same point repeatedly, contact Garmin
- !If the watch reboots continuously, contact Garmin, and give them the serial number
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
USB update steps and the on-watch Software Update route.
Fixes when Garmin Express fails.
Updating a rebooting watch.
The one-time drain after an update.
The company and its wearables line.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I update a Garmin watch?+
Use Garmin Express over USB, or Settings, System, Software Update on the watch, per Garmin.
What is Install Tonight?+
The watch installs the update overnight while charging.
Garmin Express does not see my watch.+
Try another cable, port and computer and restart the app.
Does the update cost anything?+
Garmin says that updates are free, so you do not pay.
What if I miss the Install Now prompt?+
Garmin says you can still open Settings, System, Software Update, Update Available on the watch, so the update is not lost when you disconnect from the computer.
Do I need Garmin Express installed first?+
Garmin says the first time you use a computer with your watch you need to download and install Garmin Express, which then lists the available updates.
Will updating erase data?+
Updates keep your data, but back up settings first if your watch supports it.
Why is my battery worse afterwards?+
Garmin says an update causes a one-time drain while installing.
What if it is stuck on Preparing?+
Garmin has a separate article for a Garmin Express update stuck on Preparing.
Can I update without a computer?+
Garmin's article describes the USB route with Garmin Express; your owner's manual lists any other update options for your model.