How to Turn On Your Garmin Watch: Complete Setup Guide

Just unboxed your new Garmin watch and wondering how to turn on Garmin watch for the first time? Whether you have a Fenix, Forerunner, Venu, Instinct, or vivoactive, this complete guide walks you through powering on your device, initial setup, and pairing with Garmin Connect. Let's get your watch up and running!

Before You Turn On Your Garmin Watch

Before powering on your new Garmin watch, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Charge Your Watch First

Most Garmin watches ship with a partial charge, but we recommend charging to at least 50% before initial setup:

1. Connect the charging cable to your watch
2. Plug the USB end into a power source (wall adapter or computer)
3. Look for the charging indicator on screen
4. Wait until you reach at least 50% battery

Tip: A full charge typically takes 1-2 hours depending on your model.

What's in the Box

Make sure you have everything needed:

• Garmin watch
• Charging/data cable (varies by model)
• Quick start guide
• Documentation

How to Turn On Your Garmin Watch by Model

Different Garmin watch series have slightly different power button locations and startup procedures. Here's how to turn on each model:

Fenix 8 and Fenix 7 Series

The Fenix series uses a 5-button design with the power button on the top left.

1. Locate the LIGHT button (top left)
2. Press and hold for 2-3 seconds
3. Release when the Garmin logo appears
4. Wait for the language selection screen

Forerunner 970 and Forerunner 570

The newest Forerunner models feature AMOLED displays and quick startup times.

1. Find the LIGHT button on the top left
2. Press and hold for 2-3 seconds
3. The watch will vibrate and display the Garmin logo
4. Follow on-screen prompts

Forerunner 265 and Forerunner 255

These popular running watches turn on the same way:

1. Locate LIGHT button (top left)
2. Hold for 2 seconds
3. Release when you see the display activate
4. The setup wizard will guide you through configuration

Venu 3 and Venu 2 Series

Venu watches use touchscreen navigation with physical buttons for power.

1. Find the top right button (Action button)
2. Press and hold for 2-3 seconds
3. The AMOLED display will light up with the Garmin logo
4. Touch the screen to begin setup

Instinct 3 and Instinct 2 Series

The rugged Instinct series has a dual-display design with traditional button controls.

1. Locate the CTRL button (top left)
2. Press and hold for 2-3 seconds
3. Both displays will activate showing the Garmin logo
4. Complete the on-watch setup

Note: Instinct 3 Solar models may turn on automatically when exposed to sufficient light if the battery was depleted.

vivoactive 5

The vivoactive 5 combines touchscreen and button controls.

1. Find the side button on the right edge
2. Press and hold for 2-3 seconds
3. The colorful display will activate
4. Swipe or tap to proceed through setup

First-Time Setup Walkthrough

Once your Garmin watch is powered on, you'll go through initial configuration. Here's what to expect:

Step 1: Select Your Language

Use the touchscreen (Venu, vivoactive) or buttons (Fenix, Forerunner, Instinct) to select your preferred language.

Step 2: Accept Terms and Conditions

Review and accept Garmin's terms of service. This is required to use the watch's full features.

Step 3: Set Up with Garmin Connect App

This is the most important step for unlocking your watch's full potential.

Download Garmin Connect

1. Open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android)
2. Search for "Garmin Connect"
3. Download and install the free app
4. Create an account or sign in

Pair Your Watch

1. Open Garmin Connect on your phone
2. Tap Menu (hamburger icon) > Garmin Devices > Add Device
3. Select your watch model from the list
4. Your watch should display a pairing code
5. Enter the code in the app or confirm the match
6. Wait for pairing to complete (1-2 minutes)

Step 4: Configure Personal Information

Enter your details for accurate fitness tracking:

• Gender: For heart rate and calorie calculations
• Birth year: For age-based metrics
• Height: For stride length estimation
• Weight: For calorie burn accuracy
• Wrist preference: Left or right

Step 5: Enable Notifications (Optional)

Allow your watch to display phone notifications:

1. Grant notification access when prompted
2. Choose which apps can send alerts
3. Configure notification preferences in Garmin Connect

Step 6: Software Update

Your watch may need a firmware update right out of the box:

1. Keep your watch near your phone
2. Connect to Wi-Fi if prompted (newer models)
3. Allow the update to download and install
4. Don't disconnect during the update process

Charging Tips for New Garmin Watch Owners

Proper charging habits will extend your battery lifespan:

Recommended Charging Practices

Charging Cable Types by Model

Different Garmin watches use different charging connectors:

• Fenix 8 / Forerunner 970 / 570: USB-C charging cable
• Fenix 7 / Forerunner 265 / 255: Proprietary 4-pin charger
• Venu 3 / Venu 2: Proprietary charger with magnetic alignment
• Instinct 3 / Instinct 2: Proprietary 4-pin charger
• vivoactive 5: Proprietary charger

Troubleshooting: Garmin Watch Won't Turn On

If your new Garmin watch won't power on, try these solutions:

Solution 1: Charge the Watch

The most common reason a new watch won't turn on is a depleted battery.

1. Connect to the charger for at least 30 minutes
2. Look for any charging indicator (light, icon, or vibration)
3. Try turning on again

Solution 2: Check the Charging Connection

Ensure proper contact between the watch and charger:

1. Clean the charging pins on both watch and cable
2. Make sure the charger is firmly seated
3. Try a different USB port or power adapter
4. Check if the cable is damaged

Solution 3: Perform a Soft Reset

If the watch seems frozen during first startup:

1. Hold the LIGHT button for 30 seconds (most models)
2. Release and wait for restart
3. For Venu/vivoactive: Hold the side button for 30 seconds

Solution 4: Try a Different Power Source

Sometimes the issue is the power source:

• Use a wall adapter instead of a computer USB port
• Try a different outlet
• Use a 2.1A or higher USB adapter for faster charging

Common Charging Issues and Fixes

Quick Start Tips for New Garmin Users

Once your watch is on and paired, here are some tips to get the most out of it:

Customize Your Watch Face

1. Press and hold on the watch face (touchscreen models)
2. Or hold MENU button (button models)
3. Browse and select a new watch face
4. Download more from Connect IQ store

Set Up Activity Profiles

Configure your favorite activities for quick access:

1. Go to Settings > Activities & Apps
2. Reorder activities by frequency of use
3. Customize data screens for each activity

Enable Auto Activity Detection

Let your watch automatically track activities:

1. Go to Settings > Activity Tracking
2. Enable Move IQ or Auto Activity Start
3. Set minimum duration for auto-detection

Explore Health Features

Your Garmin tracks more than just workouts:

• Sleep tracking: Wear your watch to bed
• Stress monitoring: Check throughout the day
• Body Battery: Optimize your energy levels
• Heart rate variability: Monitor recovery

Summary: Turning On Your Garmin Watch

Here's a quick reference for powering on any Garmin watch:

Remember: charge first, pair with Garmin Connect, and update firmware for the best experience with your new Garmin watch.