Garmin inReach Mini Troubleshooting

Messages via phone number, email address, or another inReach device will not appear on the screen.

Ensure that the contact you are trying to reach is current, correct, and in the proper format. The proper format for a mobile phone number is +(Country Code)(SMS number). Do not include the brackets when formatting the contact. If you are unaware of your country code, you can click this link which will provide you with the code. You will also need to check that the VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) number is not set up as a virtual number. Otherwise, the device will not work. In order to check the VOIP number, you will need to contact your provider.

Check to make sure that the email address for the contact is current and correct. When you receive an email from another inReach user, you will have to click on the link provided within the email in order to send a message back. If the recipient still does not receive your email, tell them to review all of their email folders including Inbox, Trash, and Junk to ensure that messages are not being filtered out as Spam. Lastly, make sure there were no changes made on the Garmin Explore website regarding messages. If you made any changes, sync your device using either inReach Sync from the Garmin Explore website, the mobile app Earthmate, or Garmin Explore, to remove them.

Verify that the inReach address is current and correct. In order to find your inReach address, you must log in to the Garmin Explore website and select Account. Then, in the My Info section, it is located in the left-hand column. Each inReach user’s inReach address must be formatted as so, (example@inreach.garmin.com). This address only works for communication between one inReach and another inReach. Also, make sure there are no changes made to the messages on the Garmin Explore website. If there are any changes, sync your device using either inReach Sync from the Garmin Explore website, the mobile app, Earthmate, or Garmin Explore) to remove those changes. 

Verify that no changes were made on the Garmin Explore website regarding messages.  If changes were made, sync your device using either inReach Sync from the Garmin Explore website, the mobile app Earthmate, or Garmin Explore in order to remove those changes.

If the motherboard is malfunctioning, this may prevent the device from sending or receiving messages. Replacing the motherboard is difficult and a new one is not easily acquirable. Therefore, this should be a last resort. If replacing the motherboard, utilize this guide.

When the power button is pressed, the device does not turn on.

The device may not turn on if the battery is dead and is no longer capable of charging. To replace the battery reference this guide.

Resetting the device is typically helpful if the screen freezes or fails to complete an operation. If the device will not power on at all, you can perform a soft reset by following these steps:

• Step 1: Connect the device to your computer with a USB cable
• Step 2: Hold down the back button and the power button for 10 seconds
• Step 3: This should have turned the device back on. Test by turning the device off and back on again.

Check that the device is charging when connected to the power source. Make sure the power cable is correctly plugged into both the USB port of the Garmin inReach Mini and a viable power source. If the cable is properly connected and the device still doesn’t charge, then the cable is likely faulty and needs to be replaced.

The device may not turn on if it’s software is not fully up-to-date. Updating the software will install the newest edition of firmware, which directly impacts how the device performs certain functions. Firmware is a piece of software that is stored on a device’s hardware. It is possible to update to the newest firmware even if the device will not turn on. Follow these steps to update to the newest version of software:

• Step 1: Connect the device to your computer
• Step 2: Hold down the up, back and power buttons simultaneously
• Step 3: Install and open the Garmin Express application on your computer. Install any available updates.
• Step 4: Try to turn the device back on.

If the motherboard is malfunctioning, this may prevent the device from powering on. Replacing the motherboard is difficult and a new one is not easily acquirable. Therefore, this should be a last resort. If replacing the motherboard, utilize this guide.

Device dies quickly and requires frequent recharging.

If the device has a short battery life, it is likely that the current battery is faulty. Consider using this guide to replace the current battery with a new one.

This device is intended for outdoor use. Turning the device on while inside will drain the battery faster. Use the device only while in the view of the sky to increase the battery life.

Keeping the backlight on at all times during usage, or keeping the backlight at 100%, will drain the device’s battery life. Consider reducing the intensity and frequency of the backlight while using the device.

The battery life of the Garmin inReach mini can last anywhere from 35 hours to a year, depending on what device settings are in use. Setting shorter intervals for message and tracking logs uses up more power. The default mode of the device is 30 minute tracking send intervals, and in this setting battery life should last up to 90 hours. To change either the send interval or log interval, go to the menu by pressing the OK button. Then select setup, followed by tracking. Select log interval or send interval and choose a setting with greater intervals.

inReach Mini will not pair to mobile devices.

Garmin releases updates regularly, so it wouldn’t be difficult to miss an update. Software updates are designed to improve performance, correct operational issues, or add new features. Most Garmin handhelds can be updated with Garmin Express, but some older devices are not compatible with the program. For a list of devices and what programs should be used to install software updates, you can refer to the compatibility lists found on the Garmin Support Center website.

If the inReach Mini has been paired to a different device previously, try removing the device from pairing and then try pairing again. This could resolve the issue by starting the pairing process over.

If the inReach Mini is paired with a compatible device but you are unable to send messages, initiate an SOS, or start tracking. Try disabling the verification setting on the inReach Mini. The verification setting on the inReach Mini is used for connecting to devices that require an extra step of verification to complete pairing.

If the motherboard is malfunctioning, this may prevent the device from sending or receiving messages. Replacing the motherboard is difficult and a new one is not easily acquirable. Therefore, this should be a last resort. If replacing the motherboard, utilize this guide.

The device turns off when it is connected to the charger

The firmware for the inReach Mini needs to be updated when new versions become available. The new firmware is sent to the device through the Garmin Express application. Download the application on your computer, then connect the inReach Mini to the computer using a Micro USB cable. Open Garmin Express and add the device while it is connected to the computer. Once the device is installed in the application, all available updates will appear. Update the device to the newest version available.

The Garmin inReach Mini uses a Micro-B USB port to charge the battery. Make sure the cord is securely plugged into both the port on the device and the available power source.

The inReach Mini has an Auto-Off setting which will automatically turn the device off after 30 seconds of being disconnected. Turn this off by selecting setup, then external power and switch the setting. If the device is still shutting off while the charging cord is plugged in, then the power source is not stable.

The device may not properly charge is the battery is faulty. If this is the case, replace the battery using this guide.