Troubleshoot Garmin DriveSmart 50 Problems in Seconds [Case Study]

Many times the Garmin GPS users face different sort of issues with their Garmin unit, such as the Garmin DriveSmart 50. Eliminating issues like not able to turn my device on or off, having problem in acquiring GPS signals, or unable to reset the device, is not a difficult task.

Continue reading further to know some common problems that a user faces with their Garmin device and their troubleshooting steps.

Not able to turn on my device

To turn your device on, you have to press the power key on your device. Also, you can connect your Garmin device to the power.

You can put your device in the power saver mode to minimize the battery consumption. For this, press the power key when your device is on. When your device is in power mode, your device's screen turns off but still uses a little power. You can wake it up instantly.

Read More: What To Do When the Touch Screen of Garmin GPS Device is Not Responding?

Not able to turn off my device

If you want to turn the device completely off, you have to hold the power key till you see a prompt on your screen. From there, select the 'Off' option.

Make sure you are not releasing the power key of your Garmin unit before the prompt appears, otherwise, your device will enter the power saver mode.

• Note: The prompt emerges after 5 seconds.

Garmin DriveSmart 50 is not acquiring GPS signals

Sometimes Garmin GPS device takes several minutes to gather efficient satellite signals. If even after waiting for a long time, your device is not able to acquire the proper signals, follow:

• Restart your Garmin device.
• Wait for it to acquire signals. If nothing happens, pull over and head out of your car with your Garmin unit.
• Also make sure to be away from tall buildings, trees, and mountains.
• Go to an open area under the clear sky.
• When the signal icon will turn green, it means your device has acquired the satellite signals and now, you can use it for navigation.
• Ensure that you have turned off the GPS simulator.
• Try to remain stationary for a couple of minutes.

Read More: Troubleshoot Garmin Express Error When Installing the Updates?

The problem in adjusting the volume

If your device has enabled automatic volume, your device's volume will automatically increase or decrease on the basis of background noise level. To disable it, follow:

• Go to Volume option on your Garmin device.
• Select the 'Automatic Volume' option and disable it.

Or,

You can adjust the volume manually. For this, follow:

• At first, select the 'Volume' option on your Garmin device.
  • To adjust the volume, use the slider.
  • To mute the device, select the mute option.
  • For additional options, select the settings option.

Brightness of my Garmin GPS unit is too low

You can adjust the brightness of your Garmin unit which suits you the best. To do so, follow:

• Go to the 'Settings' of your Garmin unit.
• Select the 'Display' option, followed by the 'Brightness' option.
• Now, with the help of the slider bar, make the adjustments in the brightness as per your convenience.

How to add a location to my route?

Before adding a location to your route, make sure you have a route for navigation. Without any difficulty, you can add multiple locations, either to the middle or end of your navigating route. For instance, a fuel station.

To add multiple locations, follow:

• Go to Map on your device, select 'Where To?' option.
• Now, search for the location where you want to go.
• Select 'Go!' icon and choose any one of the following options:
  • Add as Next Stop: To add any location as your next destination in your navigating route.
  • Add as Last Stop: To add a particular location to the end of your navigating route.
  • Add to Active Route: For adding any location and to edit the order of your destinations.

Your Garmin device will re-calculate the route and include all the added locations. After that, it will guide you to your destinations in the same order.

Read More: What to Do When Garmin Express Is Not Working On Windows 10?

Garmin device is not responding

If your Garmin DriveSmart 50 unit has become unresponsive, you can reset it quickly. For this, hold the power key of your GPS device for about 12 seconds and wait till your device reset automatically on its own.

The suction cup is not sticking to my windshield

To remove the suction cup problem, follow:

• Use a rubbing alcohol to clean the suction cup. Clean the windshield as well.
• Now dry it using a clean and dry cloth.
• Try to mount the suction cup.

The Garmin GPS unit is not charging in my vehicle

There can be varied reasons that your Garmin drivesmart 50 unit is not charging in your vehicle. Follow:

• Check the fuse of the power cable in your vehicle.
• Make sure you have turned on the vehicle and it is properly supplying the power to the outlet.
• Determine your vehicle's interior temperature is within the temperature range mentioned in the specifications for charging.
• Ensure your vehicle's power outlet fuse is not broken.

My Garmin GPS device battery is losing charge very quickly

There are many features that consume battery of your Garmin drivesmart 50 navigation device. Follow:

• Minimize the brightness of your device's screen.
• Shorten the timeout of your display screen.
• Decrease your unit's volume.
• Disable Bluetooth technology.
• When your device is not in use, put it in the power saver mode.
• Do not keep your device under extreme temperatures.
• Never ever leave your Garmin device in the direct sunlight.

My Garmin unit is not appearing as a removable drive on my PC

The Garmin device uses MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) to connect on most of the Windows PC. And, in MTP mode, the unit is displayed as a portable device. Therefore, it will not appear as a removable drive. Windows XP (SP 3), Windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows Media Player 10 supports MTP mode.

Read More: How to Plan a Trip Using Garmin Drive 40

My Garmin unit is not appearing as a portable unit on my PC

The Garmin device connects to MAC and some Windows computers via USB mass storage. In this mode, the Garmin device appears either as volume or a removable drive. Therefore, it will not be displayed as a portable device. Windows versions older than Windows XP (SP 3), utilize USB mass storage mode.

My Garmin unit neither appears as portable unit nor as a removable drive on my PC

If your Garmin DriveSmart 50 is not appearing as either a portable device, volume, or removable drive, you have to follow the given instructions:

• At first, disconnect the connected USB cable from your PC.
• Turn your device off.
• Now, connect the USB cable back to your device and another end to the USB port of your PC.

Automatically, your device will turn on and will take you to the USB mass storage or MTP mode. Also, a picture of your device connected to the PC will appear on your Garmin unit's screen.

Unable to connect my phone to the Garmin device

• At first, select the 'Settings' and go to the 'Bluetooth'.
• The Bluetooth mode must be enabled.
• If not, enable it on your phone and keep your cell phone within 33ft (10m) range of the Garmin device.

If you have any other problem with your Garmin GPS device (if it is not listed here) or your issue is not resolved by following the given troubleshooting steps, you can take assistance from our Garmin experts.

Visit: garmin-map-updates.com