**A GPS failure left thousands of Garmin smartwatch users unable to track their workouts. **
The Garmin ‘Blue Triangle' bug surfaced on January 28, 2025, causing widespread GPS failures across multiple smartwatch models. Users reported that their watches either crashed during GPS activities or got stuck in an endless reboot loop, displaying a blue triangle on the screen.
Garmin later confirmed that the issue was caused by a faulty CPE (Current Position Estimate) file, a satellite pre-cache data file that allows watches to lock onto GPS signals faster. The bad file caused affected devices to reset each time users attempted to start a GPS activity.
The bug impacted a wide range of Garmin smartwatches, including:
Not all units of these models were affected, as some managed to avoid downloading the corrupt CPE file.
Garmin quickly acknowledged the issue and provided fixes. The solution varies depending on the model of your watch.
If syncing does not resolve the issue, you may need to manually remove the corrupt CPE file:
If you're still experiencing issues:
This incident highlights the reliance of wearable tech on external satellite data and the importance of preemptive bug testing. Garmin acted quickly to fix the problem, but the outage disrupted users' activities globally, sparking concerns about smartwatch reliability.
While Garmin's watches remain some of the best for GPS tracking and fitness, this incident serves as a reminder to always keep your device updated and sync it regularly to prevent outdated or corrupt files from causing disruptions. If you rely heavily on GPS tracking, having a backup device or alternative app (like Strava) can be a good precaution.
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Miles Hollen · Editor
Editor
