"Cant unlock maps" Help!

When did you use the Dashboard last time?
Did you remember anything new you did on your device just before this happen?

May want to look at this link. http://forums.gpsreview.net/viewtopic.php?t=10279 also found this listed in Garmin support.

There a few different reasons you may receive the message Can't unlock maps.

Here is a list of things to check:

Can you press on ok and get to the Where to View map screen?
Did you add maps to the unit?
Did you add maps to an SD data card?
Did you use MapInstall or MapSource to install maps on your device?

If you have recently done one of the steps from above please follow steps from below to get rid of this message:

Remove SD card from unit if applicable
Plug unit into computer via USB cable
Open my computer icon on your desktop
Open Garmin drive
Open Garmin folder
Right click and delete file named gmapsupp.img

*Note if gmapsupp.img file does not appear in Garmin folder please create unlock file for device.

From Garmin:

"If you are getting the message “Can't unlock maps, your unit will not function without maps” on your Garmin device, there is an issue with the mapping on your device.

Please follow the steps below to restore the mapping:

Log into your myGarmin account1
Select myMaps
Click Manage Maps and Downloads
Below the appropriate device, select the "Details" link
Look for the Unlock Code listed on this page
Copy all the unlock codes for your device
Close your internet browser
Right click on your desktop
Click new, and then click Text Document
Click on the newly created Text Document icon from the desktop
Type your unlock codes into the document
Click File and Save as
Change the file name to gmapprom.unl
Change the “Save as type” to "All files"
Close the document you should see the file gmapprom.unl on your desktop)
Right click on the gmapprom.unl file and then click copy
Connect your Garmin device to your computer and click Computer/My Computer
Click on the 'nüvi (drive letter:)'2
Right click on the Garmin folder and click paste (see next line for nuvi 1xxx series)
For nuvi 1xxx series devices, the gmapprom.unl file is required in the ".System", "Garmin" folder which is a hidden system folder. In order for you to see the hidden system folder:
For XP:
In MyComputer go to the Tools menu and choose Folder Options...
Select the View tab
Select the radio button next to "Show hidden files and folders"
Uncheck the box next to "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"
Click OK
On Vista:
In the Computer window go to the Organize menu and choose "Folder and search options"
Select the View tab
Select the radio button next to "Show hidden files, folders, or drives"
Uncheck the box next to "Hide protected operating system files (Recommended)"
Click Ok
Safely disconnect your Garmin device from the computer to complete the process. If you are having any issues duplicating the steps above or are still receiving the message "Can't unlock maps, your unit will not function without maps” please contact Product Support.

1 The device must be registered to view the Unlock Code."

Good luck and let us know if it worked.

used web updater...and updated the traffic software...but, don't know how to get rid of the updated portion, where the problem may lie...any suggestions?

thanks, will keep you posted on outcome!

within 12 min., I was off the phone and had it working!

Thanks for all the help....

but can you tell us what caused the problem and how it was fixed.

The answers will most certainly help others down the road who'll encounter a similar problem.

Cheers !

Similar issue happened to me when my Nuvi 765t was updated to NT2011 map. After I redownloaded the map and re-installed it, the problem went away.

remember that one. All I had to do was to delete a file...go figure!

What file did you have to delete?

at work, will let you know. I don't want to delete the wrong one.

for all your work on this....will do!

That will help others who may run into the same problem you just had.

call Garmin, wait the 30 min, and go through the drill with them. Hate to be the one that gave you the incorrect file to remove.

i guess you forgot what the file was . . . .

Brilliant - this worked a charm when my Nuvi 265t suddenly announced without warning that it couldn't unlock maps. Pity there is no fix that can be done "onboard" - I didn't have computer access during my holiday in Holland when the whole thing went phut in the first place so had to buy a new nuvi to get home anyway! Thanks all the same charlesd45 - worked perfectly.

After trying to update maps on my Garmin nuvi 50 (new at Christmas) I get the Can Not Unlock Maps. Dug out the old Garmin 76CSx and guess what? It Can't Unlock Maps either. Nothing was done to the 76CSx, it has not been turn on for months. Very strange.... Can anyone tell me the structure of the GMAPPROM.unl file. Does it just contain the 25 character Unlock Code???? I have that code from Garmin.com for the nuvi 50 and have been able to read the GMAPPROM.unl file.

Thanks, Bob Smith, Prescott, AZ

It's just a text file with the unlock code or codes, one code per line, for the map or maps that make up the .IMG file.

I called the store where I bought the nuvi 50 and got a sympathetic tech/sales person who said "Bring it back" the new one did all the updates and map down loads just perfectly. Now it's working GREAT!

Give us the file name anyways. You made your point. The risk is ours. You came in here and asked for help. From what I see, quite a few people put in some effort to help you. Now we would like to know what solved the problem. Which File did they tell you to delete?

I seem to get this error on one of my GPS's whenever I try to update maps. This time it was the nuvi.
Reading this thread (thanks everybody). All I had to do was remove the mico SD card and then reload the maps via Garmin Express and it worked.

Thanks again everybody!

(edit 11/21/2013)
I seem to have trouble with both the NUVI and the old C530 if I have the memory cards in them. The C530 crashes if I search for an address with the SD card in. Once I remove it - addresses come up just fine - no idea why!

Seriously?.....unbelievable - thought this was a help forum