Troubleshooting Garmin: No Rem Sleep Tracking

If your Garmin device isn't tracking your REM sleep, there are several possible reasons and solutions. Firstly, ensure that your device supports REM sleep tracking, as some older models, such as the Forerunner 235, do not. If your device is compatible, check that you have set up your usual sleeping hours in the Garmin Connect app, which is necessary for the watch to track your sleep accurately. Additionally, make sure that the heart rate monitor is switched on, as sleep tracking relies on heart rate data. It is also recommended that you wear your watch for at least two hours before sleeping, allowing it to gather baseline readings. Other troubleshooting steps include disabling Battery Saver mode, updating your device software, and ensuring that your birth date is saved in the User Settings.

Not wearing the watch two hours before bed

If your Garmin device isn't tracking your sleep, it could be because you're not wearing it two hours before bed. This is because the device needs to gather baseline readings of your heart rate when you're awake, which it can then use to determine when you fall asleep. By wearing the watch two hours before bed, you're giving it more data to work with, which should result in more accurate sleep tracking.

It's also important to make sure that your watch fits snugly on your wrist. If it's too loose, the heart rate sensor may not be able to accurately detect your heartbeat. However, you don't want it to be too tight, as that could make it uncomfortable to sleep in. It should be worn just below your wrist bone.

In addition to the above, there are several other things you can do to ensure your Garmin device is tracking your sleep accurately:

• Make sure the heart rate monitor is switched on.
• Disable Battery Saver mode during sleep.
• Update your device to the latest software version.
• Set your preferred activity tracker in Garmin Connect.
• Ensure your birth date and normal bed/wake times are entered correctly in Garmin Connect.

By following these steps, you should be able to get the most accurate sleep tracking data from your Garmin device.

Heart rate monitor is switched off

If your Garmin device is not tracking your REM sleep, it could be because your heart rate monitor is switched off. The heart rate monitor is crucial for the device to detect when you enter the sleeping mode and to determine your sleep stages. Here are some tips to ensure your heart rate data is being captured:

• Ensure the heart rate sensor is switched on. The heart rate sensor functionality detects when you enter the sleeping mode, so if it is disabled, your Garmin device will not be able to track your sleep.
• Wear your Garmin device at least two hours before bedtime. This allows the heart rate sensors to establish a baseline and detect when you enter the sleeping mode.
• Make sure your device fits snugly but comfortably on your wrist. If the band is too tight, it can push against your skin and cause the heart rate sensor to lose signal.
• Check that your heart rate data is being recorded by checking your sleep data in the Garmin Connect app. If you see periods marked with "Unmeasurable" sleep, it means the device lost the heart rate signal during those times.
• If you continue to have issues with heart rate monitoring, try updating the firmware on your device to the latest version. This can help troubleshoot any problems you may be experiencing.

Battery Saver mode is enabled

If your Garmin device is not tracking your sleep, it could be because the Battery Saver mode is enabled. This is a helpful function that keeps the Garmin battery from dying, but it also means that all apps, including those running in the background, will close automatically. This means that with the Advanced Sleep Tracking inactive and Activity Tracker Sleep Mode deactivated, your Garmin won't track your bedtime stats.

To fix this, you will need to disable the Battery Saver mode. You can do this by going to the Main Menu on your watch, then toggling off the power save mode. Once you have done this, your Garmin watch will track your sleep each time you go to bed and report the stats to the Garmin Connect app.

If you want to keep the Battery Saver mode enabled but still record your sleep, you can edit the Wrist Heart Rate (WHR) so that it is set to 'Do Not Change'. This will allow you to save some battery life but still get heart rate data.

To enable or disable Sleep Mode settings, you can follow these steps:

• Hold the 'Menu' button until the list of options appears.
• Scroll down to 'System' and then select 'Sleep Mode'.
• From here, you can enable, disable or change settings with the following options: Schedule, Watch Face, Backlight, Touch, Do Not Disturb and Battery Saver.

If you are still having issues with your Garmin device not tracking your sleep, there are several other things you can try. Firstly, make sure that the heart rate monitor is switched on, as sleep tracking will not work if it is disabled. You should also check that you have the latest version of the software, as an out-of-date OS can cause bugs and security issues. Finally, ensure that you have set a valid birth date and normal bed/wake time in the Garmin Connect account User Settings.

Outdated software

If your Garmin device is not tracking your REM sleep, it could be because your software is outdated. To address this, you must first ensure that you have a Garmin Connect account and that your device is paired with a compatible smartphone. Once you have done this, you can sync your device with the Garmin Connect app. When new software is available, the app will automatically send the update to your device, and it will be applied when the device is not in use. After the update is complete, your device will restart.

It is important to keep your software up to date, as updates often contain valuable fixes that can solve any issues you are experiencing with your device. For example, a previous update added a Sleep Score feature, which provides a score from 1 to 100 to indicate the healthiness of your sleep. Therefore, updating your software can provide you with new features and improvements to enhance your user experience.

In addition to updating your software, there are several other troubleshooting steps you can take if your Garmin device is not tracking your sleep. These include ensuring that your device is your Preferred Activity Tracker, making sure that the heart rate monitor is switched on, wearing your device at least two hours before bedtime, setting a valid birth date and normal bed and wake times in the User Settings, and disabling the Battery Saver mode. By following these steps and keeping your software up to date, you can ensure that your Garmin device accurately tracks your REM sleep.

Incorrect birth date or sleep/wake times in the settings

To ensure accurate sleep tracking, it is important to have the correct birth date and normal bed/wake times set up in the Garmin Connect app.

Firstly, to set up your Garmin device for sleep tracking, you need to enter your usual sleeping hours. This is done by editing your Bed Time or Wake Time in the User Settings of the Garmin Connect app. This is important because the watch uses this information, along with the onboard sensors, to start tracking your sleep.

Entering the correct birth date in the User Settings is also crucial for accurate sleep tracking. This information helps the device to tailor its sleep tracking algorithms to your specific age group, as sleep patterns can vary with age. For example, older adults tend to experience a decrease in REM sleep. Therefore, having the correct birth date ensures that the device can more accurately identify when you are in the REM sleep stage.

Additionally, it is recommended to wear your watch for at least two hours before you plan to sleep. This allows the device to gather baseline readings when you are awake, which can help improve the accuracy of sleep tracking.

By ensuring that your Garmin device has the correct birth date, sleep and wake times set up, and is worn at least two hours before bedtime, you can maximize the accuracy of your sleep tracking data.

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