Stuck on Software Update
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2026 1:38 pm
My XT seems to be stuck on Software Update.
It started when I plugged it into my PC to see if I needed to update the maps. Garmin Express told me that there was a map update but also a software update for the XT, so I first went ahead with that. After a few minutes it showed the message that the SW update had completed and that I should restart the unit. I did that, and the unit told me that it had detected an update and would install it.
Straight after that the screen went blank and nothing further happened.
After a while I activated the unit, it started normally and I thought - fine, that bit is done.
However, when I reconnect the XT to PC to do the map update, GE again says that there is a SW update and it again tries to install it, even though afaikt that has already been done. So, it is now stuck on 'Step1 of 2: Software Udate' saying 'Preparing' and 0% complete. The XT shows the 'connected to pc' graphic.
It has now been showing this for the last 30 minutes even though the screen says 'time remaining 1 minute'. I don't think it is doing anything.
How can I get past this point so I can actually install the map update? Right now all GE does is try to install the SW update that has already been installed, as far as I know. There doesn't seem to be a way to install the new map without first updating the software, and it is stuck on that.
It started when I plugged it into my PC to see if I needed to update the maps. Garmin Express told me that there was a map update but also a software update for the XT, so I first went ahead with that. After a few minutes it showed the message that the SW update had completed and that I should restart the unit. I did that, and the unit told me that it had detected an update and would install it.
Straight after that the screen went blank and nothing further happened.
After a while I activated the unit, it started normally and I thought - fine, that bit is done.
However, when I reconnect the XT to PC to do the map update, GE again says that there is a SW update and it again tries to install it, even though afaikt that has already been done. So, it is now stuck on 'Step1 of 2: Software Udate' saying 'Preparing' and 0% complete. The XT shows the 'connected to pc' graphic.
It has now been showing this for the last 30 minutes even though the screen says 'time remaining 1 minute'. I don't think it is doing anything.
How can I get past this point so I can actually install the map update? Right now all GE does is try to install the SW update that has already been installed, as far as I know. There doesn't seem to be a way to install the new map without first updating the software, and it is stuck on that.