Garmin addresses cold water bug in latest Fenix 8 update
Garmin has rolled out System Software 11.68, specifically aimed at fixing the cold water bug that affected the Fenix 8 series watches. The update is a small one, featuring just a single change in its log.
Since the watch’s debut, the cold water shutdown problem has been a thorn in the side of active users, impacting activities ranging from ice baths to surfing. The issue manifested when users transitioned from warm air to cold water. This caused their devices to unexpectedly power off or restart. Which is a far cry from the rugged, all-condition performance one would expect from Garmin’s flagship outdoor watch.
Users across Garmin’s official forums, Reddit, and Facebook documented their experiences. The issue appeared to predominantly affect the AMOLED version of the Fenix 8.
The latest firmware includes a single, crucial fix described in the changelog as:
“Fixed potential shutdown due to rapid temperature change.”
The timing of this update suggests Garmin’s engineering team has been working behind the scenes to identify and resolve the root cause. The company maintained a relatively quiet public stance on the issue, and the release of System Software 11.68 marks Garmin’s first official acknowledgment of the problem. Previously, the company’s response had been limited to offering replacement devices to some affected users who contacted customer service.
The Fenix 8 has been littered with bugs since its release about a month ago. To Garmin’s credit, they have fixed most of them. Various updates in the past few weeks have squashed more than 60 bugs.
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With this latest update skiers, ice climbers, and polar plunge participants can focus on their activities without worrying about their fitness tracker failing at crucial moments. System Software 11.68 is now available for download, and users are encouraged to update their devices.
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