Garmin nuvi 200W GPS Receiver Logo
Posted on Sep 07, 2009
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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Trouble acquiring satellites

When i turn on my Nuvi 200W it takes like 5-10 minutes to locate a satellite. and just keeps saying "acquiring satellites" or "locating satellites".....with popups every so often that say "can't connect -keeping trying?" and i click yes, and then it still takes forever. sometimes works, sometimes doesn't.
Also while in travel, if i stop at a stop light or something, it drops its connection and then says "recalculating"....as if i've gone off course, but haven't. :(
is there any way to fix this? or is it time for a new gps machine?

1 Answer

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  • Posted on Sep 07, 2009
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Try the reset
Note: A master reset will erase all waypoints or favorites and will restore your unit to the default factory settings.

with the unit off, try pressing and holding your finger on the low right corner of the screen and slide the power switch to the on position until you see the message "confirm if you really want to delete all user data?" hit yes and let it restart. then it will set up the nuvi again, so follow the prompts.

if that fails, hook up the nuvi to the web updater and get the latest update

(actually i would do this either way)

bill

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I have a Garmin Nuvi 300 model and from last few days its not picking the satellite signals when I open the antenna, it keeps saying searching for satellitie signal. What could be problem & can it be...

Hello there,
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 than 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 Compatible Devices tab on the external antenna's page to see if your unit is listed.
Hope this was helpful to you. Goodluck Elect_Comp
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Acquisition of satellite speed has been addressed in new firmware / system software updates for the Garmin Nuvi 200W .

I can help you fix your Garmin Nuvi 200W.

There are three steps to take to get your Nuvi running like new:

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

I hope that helps.

___________________
Nuvi 200 series manuals available here.
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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.
Good Luck. Did this help?
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Acquisition of satellite speed has been addressed in new firmware / system software updates for the Garmin Nuvi 200W .

I can help you fix your Garmin Nuvi 200W.

There are three steps to take to get your Nuvi running like new:

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

I hope that helps.

___________________
Nuvi 200 series manuals available here.
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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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Acquisition of satellite speed has been addressed in new firmware / system software updates for the Garmin Nuvi 200W .

I can help you fix your Garmin Nuvi 200W.

There are three steps to take to get your Nuvi running like new:

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

I hope that helps.

___________________
Nuvi 200 series manuals available here.
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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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  • 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.
Good Luck

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Acquiring satellites

my friend has the same unit his will only acquire satellites when unit is plugged in the cigarrette lighter
6helpful
3answers

Nuvi 200w

Found this thru Garmin support

Question: Why will my nüvi 2xx not find satellite signals?
Answer:
p>If your nuvi 2xx is not acquiring satellite signals, you may need to download and run our WebUpdater program.

Go to:

http://www.garmin.com/products/webupdater/

If you are still having issues after updating the software on your unit, you may need to do a full master reset. Please note that a master reset erases Favorites and waypoints. Before proceeding, you may want to back up information you want to keep.

To do a full master reset to the nuvi 200 series unit:

1. Turn off the device.
2. Place your fingertip or the eraser end of a pencil in the bottom right corner of the touchscreen.
3. Apply pressure in the bottom right corner of the screen.
4. While pressing down on the screen, power on the unit and continue pressing on the screen. A message displays to confirm that you really want to delete all user data.
5. Touch Yes.
6. Your unit restarts automatically. You must go through the set up procedure again.

Once you complete the reset, place the nuvi unit outside where it has a clear unobstructed view of the sky for 15-30 minutes. Keep it in a stationary position until it reacquires satellites.
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