Knowing how to reset your Garmin smartwatch can help fix common issues and keep things running smoothly. Whether you’re trying to fix a glitch, tidy up your settings, or wipe everything before passing the watch on to someone else, resetting is sometimes the best option.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the different types of resets, what each one does, and how to perform them. We’ll also cover specific instructions for different Garmin models, and a few things to check before you hit reset.
The different reset types: soft, hard, and factory
You can reset your Garmin watches in three different ways – soft reset, hard rest, and factory reset. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Soft reset
This is like turning your device off and back on. It’s useful for small issues like a frozen screen or an unresponsive watch. And it won’t delete any of your precious data.
Hard reset (restore defaults)
This resets your settings back to factory defaults - but keeps your saved data like activities and personal records. It’s a good option if your watch isn’t behaving quite right but you don’t want to lose everything.
Factory reset
This one wipes absolutely everything - that’s all your data, settings and customisations. Then it restores the watch to how it was out of the box. You’ll want to use this option if you’re selling your watch, giving it away, or just want a completely fresh start.
Things to do before resetting your Garmin watch
Before resetting, it’s worth taking a few steps to avoid losing anything important:
Sync your data. Use the Garmin Connect app to back up your activities and health info. Doing this means you won’t lose any of your progress or personal records if something goes wrong.
Charge your watch. Make sure your battery is at least 50% to avoid any interruptions.
Double-check the reset type. Finally, make sure the reset type you’re going with is definitely the right choice - especially if you’re not intending to wipe all your data. Remember, a factory reset is permanent.
Done all that? Great. Now you’re ready to reset your watch. Here are the steps to follow for doing each different type of reset. And after that, we’ll go into how these instructions might differ between watch models.
Performing a soft reset on your Garmin watch
If your watch is frozen or unresponsive, try a soft reset first. It’s quick and usually sorts out minor issues. Here’s how to do it:
Press and hold the Power button (usually labelled Light or CTRL) for about 15 seconds.
The screen should go blank and the watch will restart.
Release the button once you see the Garmin logo.
Doing a hard reset: restoring default settings
A hard reset clears your settings but keeps your activity data and personal info. Do this if your watch has software issues, or settings that you want to reset without wiping everything:
Press the Menu button (or press and hold Up).
Go to Settings > System > Reset.
Select Restore Defaults.
Confirm when prompted.
This puts your settings back to square one, without touching your activity history or health data.
Factory reset: erasing all data for a fresh start
Doing a factory reset deletes all your data and settings. It’s the most extreme option of all, but sometimes it’s exactly what you need. Follow these steps to get the job done:
Go to Settings > System > Reset.
Select Delete Data and Reset Settings or Restore Factory Settings (depending on the model).
Confirm your choice.
Model-specific reset instructions
Garmin’s smart sports watch lineup includes quite a few models, and the steps for resetting them can vary slightly. Here’s how to reset some of the most popular ones:
Garmin Forerunner
Soft reset. Hold the Power button until the screen turns off and restarts.
Hard reset. Hold the Power button for 15–20 seconds until the watch powers off completely, then turn it back on.
Factory reset. The method is Settings > System > Reset > Delete Data and Reset Settings.
Garmin Fenix
Soft reset. Hold Light for about 15 seconds.
Hard reset. Continue holding Light until the screen goes black, then release and press again to power on.
Factory reset. It’s Menu > Settings > System > Reset > Delete Data and Reset Settings.
Garmin Venu
Soft reset. Hold the Side button until the watch restarts.
Hard reset. Hold the Side button for 15–20 seconds to force a shutdown, then press again to restart.
Factory reset. Settings > System > Reset > Delete Data and Reset Settings.
Garmin Instinct
Soft reset. Hold CTRL until the watch reboots.
Hard reset. Hold CTRL for 15–20 seconds until the screen goes black, then press again to restart.
Factory reset. Tap Menu > Settings > System > Reset > Delete Data and Reset Settings.
If your watch isn’t listed here, check out Garmin’s support site. They’ve got detailed instructions for every device.
Troubleshooting common reset issues
Most resets go smoothly, but if you run into trouble, here are a few quick fixes to get things ticking again.
Watch stuck on Garmin logo or blue triangle
This usually means the watch has had a bit of a hiccup during startup. First, try a soft reset. If that doesn’t work, try this:
Plug the watch into your computer with a USB cable.
Open the Garmin Express app to check for updates or reinstall the software.
Reset option is missing or greyed out
This might happen if your watch is in the middle of an activity or syncing. Try ending any current activity and restarting the watch. You should also disconnect it from Bluetooth temporarily.
Once it’s back to normal, the reset option should show up again, ready to go.
Watch won’t turn back on after reset
Sometimes it looks like your watch gave up—but don’t panic. It might just be out of juice, so plug it into a charger and leave it for at least 10–15 minutes. If you still see no signs of life, try a hard reset while it’s plugged in.
Buttons or screen not responding after reset
If your watch feels frozen after a reset, it might still be finalising background processes. Be patient and wait a minute or two - some models take time to fully reboot.
If nothing changes, try a hard reset. If that fails too, connect it to Garmin Express for a full firmware refresh.
Watch keeps rebooting in a loop after reset
Endless reboots are frustrating, but it might be a software glitch rather than a hardware issue. Connect the watch to Garmin Express to check for pending updates. If there are any, action them.
If that doesn’t help, try a factory reset one more time. If it still loops, you’re probably best contacting Garmin support.
Need any help?
Need more advice on choosing the best piece of fitness tech? You can check our smartwatch and fitness buying guide, and read everything you need to know about smartwatches. And remember, you can always chat to our colleagues in-store. They’ll happily answer all your tech-related questions.
