Garmin nuvi 260W GPS Receiver Logo
Samantha Covalt Posted on Jan 30, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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Garmin 260w won't acquire satellites

I have a garmin 260w and recently it has been having issues acquiring satellites. On the rare occasions that it does begin to work, it loses reception

  • 3 more comments 
  • Bill Underwood Feb 15, 2009

    MY nuvi never acquires satellites

  • Bill Underwood Feb 15, 2009

    won't acquire satellites

  • wlea Feb 16, 2009

    remains on acquiring satellites

  • seesoft22 Feb 18, 2009

    I could not able to get the Satellite signal for almost 10-15 min waiting ( Happened many times on open areas of Big Cities)

  • Anonymous Mar 16, 2009

    I have a garmin 260w and recently it has been having issues acquiring satellites. On the rare occasions that it does begin to work, it loses reception

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1 Answer

Harry

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  • Garmin Expert 343 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 28, 2010
Harry
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  • If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
  • If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
  • If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
  • If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
  • If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
  • If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
    • If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.
If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.

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Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Won't acquire satellites, updated firmware. now what?

U have an antenna failure u will need to send it in to Garmin for an exhange unit is the next step, contact Garmin
2helpful
1answer

I have a garmin 260 and lately when I turn it on it takes a very long time to acquire satelites.

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;} As GPS units are used, data is gathered which helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the ideal condition for acquiring satellites. Please know that there can be several different factors that may cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:
  • If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
  • If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
  • If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
  • If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
  • If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
  • If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
    • If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.
If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.
*Note: Some units may not be compatible with an external antenna. Please check the Products tab on the external antenna's page to see if your unit is listed.
0helpful
1answer

Problem with Garmin Nuvi 260w

No because the date recorded in the unit would have been set via satellite and cannot be changed.
0helpful
1answer

My Garminis taking a really long time to acquire satellites( sometimes 5-10 min),especially when I flip the top up to turn it on and whenI flip the top down to turn it off ,it acquires the satellites...

are you inside when trying this ? Garmin has a very bad reputation in acquiring satelites when in coverered position.
Go outside and you will notice it goes much faster.
1helpful
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Nuvi350 doesn't locate any satillites. What can I do?

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;} As GPS units are used, data is gathered which helps them acquire satellites quickly at the start of each use. If a device is used daily it should be able to acquire satellites in a minute or less. Using a GPS device while it is outdoors with a clear view of the entire sky is the ideal condition for acquiring satellites. Please know that there can be several different factors that may cause a GPS unit to not acquire satellites:
  • If your unit is trying to acquire satellites for the first time, it may take longer than normal to establish an initial position. If the unit is powered on and outdoors with a clear view of the sky this should not take more than 3-5 minutes.
  • If your unit has not been used for an extended period of time (more then a month), it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire satellites.
  • If your unit is indoors, it may not acquire satellites. Even standing next to a window indoors will block a majority of the sky which is needed for a device to locate and lock onto a satellite signal.
  • If you have just finished updating the software in your unit or you have performed a master reset, your unit may take 3-5 minutes to acquire while outdoors as the data that is used to locate satellites may have been erased.
  • If your unit has traveled over 500 miles while turned off or not tracking your travel, it may take 3-5 minutes to acquire even in ideal conditions.
  • If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interfere with the unit receiving signal, your unit may need an external antenna* in order to acquire satellites.
    • If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the unit outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the unit can acquire satellites. If your unit loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle you will most likely need an external antenna*.
If your unit is still having trouble acquiring satellites, please ensure that it has the latest version of operating software by using our WebUpdater program. Once your unit is updated please allow the unit to acquire satellites outdoors in a stationary position with a clear view of the sky.
0helpful
1answer

My screen will always states "acquiring satellites"

Have you updated your Garmin in a while? To update it you need to download their Webupdater program from their website.

http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp

From here follow the instructions. A simple update of your GPS may fix this problem.
0helpful
1answer

Cannot locate satellites

I can help you fix the satellite problem with your Garmin Nuvi 265WT.

Poor or inaccurate GPS tracking, and taking a long time to acquire satellites, are issues that have been addressed by Nuvi 265WT firmware updates.

There are three steps to take to get your Nuvi 265WT running better than new:

  1. Back up your Favorites.
  2. Perform a Hard Reset.
  3. Download and then run Garmin 265WT WebUpdater to replace its firmware / system software.

I hope that helps.
_____________________________
Nuvi 265WT Manuals here.
0helpful
2answers

Not acquiring satellites

Go to the Garmin Website and see if there is a Software update Available Hope this helps ttech
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