Garmin nuvi 5000 fails to unlock maps

To perform a master reset on a nuvi 5000:

1. Connect the device into a power outlet and turn the device OFF
2. The master reset will not work when connected to a computer
3. After about ten seconds, power the device ON
4. As soon as the loading bar appears, immediately touch and hold the bottom right corner of the touchscreen
5. The message, "Do you really want to erase all user data?" will appear after about thirty seconds
6. Remove your finger from the touchscreen when the message appears
7. Touch Yes to confirm
If text language is not in English, this is the button on the right
The device will now be reset. Follow the on-screen prompts then place the device in an area with a clear view of the sky until it acquires satellites.

1Although the master reset will erase all saved favorites, any loaded custom points of interest will remain intact on the device.

Are the maps a Garmin product or those from a 3rd party?

I don't have a Nuvi 5000 but I frequently work with Garmin maps on my older devices. I have not noticed this sort of problem recently. Some maps I use require unlock codes which Garmin sometimes provides free for older products. I don't see why a working map would suddenly fail to unlock though. Did you download a new map recently or update your firmware?

Can you open the map using Garmin's Basecamp or Mapsource programs? If so, try reinstalling the map to your unit using either program. You can also try Garmin's Mapinstall program available here:

https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=3291

Lately, I've been getting away from Garmin maps for some of my projects. I now search https://www.gpsfiledepot.com/ for suitable products. They have many routable maps available for the US and many foreign countries. Maps are free & legal to download. They work with most Garmin products and Basecamp & Mapsource as well.

Appreciate your suggestion. I'll take a look at the programs you gave and let you know what I found.

The Maps I've been using where created by a 3rd party app.

Up to this point, they've worked great.

Thanks

Appreciate your suggestion. I'll try that and let you know how it works.

Thanks

The nuvi 5000 is one of the Garmin devices that has a 2 GB file size limit. Make sure the map file you are using is less than 2 GB. I wouldn't think this issue would cause the file unlock error, but it might.

The master reset did not resolve the problem.

As I stated initially, for several years I've been using a Nuvi 5000 for navigation using custom rout-able maps. It worked flawlessly...  

(The map is locked to the specific unit, with a specific date of expiration to ensure I get it updated or if, god forbidden, it's stolen).   

Last month, on or about the 20th of November, the maps continually failed to open.  The unit displayed "Can't Unlock Maps" everytime the unit is initialized.

I've tried several "fixes" (firmware, OS, etc...). 

I'm going to try the idea using Garmin's programs to upload the maps and see what, if anything happens.

Your help, was & is greatly appreciated.

The file is moderate to small in size, (about 4-6 MB)

(Plenty of room left on the drive).

To test, I attempted to upload a older file that worked (about 3MB).

It failed to Unlock.

Thanks though....

Appreciate the idea....