Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Traffic
Sun, 10/19/2025 - 10:01am
    9 years
|
Hello, I'm having trouble all of a sudden with my unit to where I cannot get a connection to Garmin Express, nor POI Loader so that my computer can find my unit, and that I can add Custom POI's to my unit. I've read the instructions that from the main menu to select "Set up", then Select "System", then select "Interface", and then select "Host" to get a connection from my unit to computer again, but it is not showing up on my unit. Is there a solution for this issue and any help would be appreciated.
Cable or WiFi
Are you using a cable connection or WiFi? I suspect from what you describe you are using cable but please clarify.
Instructions for WiFi are at https://www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/drivesmart55-65/EN-U...
John from PA
Unable to find GPS
Hello, I'm having trouble all of a sudden with my unit to where I cannot get a connection to Garmin Express, nor POI Loader so that my computer can find my unit, and that I can add Custom POI's to my unit. I've read the instructions that from the main menu to select "Set up", then Select "System", then select "Interface", and then select "Host" to get a connection from my unit to computer again, but it is not showing up on my unit. Is there a solution for this issue and any help would be appreciated.
Sometimes I have that problem A couple of methods I use. Make sure if you have a SD card located in the computer to remove it. Turn off the computer and the GPS. Now plug the GPS into the computer ,still in off the position. Now reboot the computer with GPS connected.
Hold the power button down until the screen comes up on the GPS. Then reconnect to the computer. This is called a soft reset. . Also see video on connecting GPS to computer https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=l0p9W9vsc37NJ3vH2b5pF6...
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Trafiic
I am using cable. I followed the instructions from charlesd 45 and it's still doing the same thing. I will watch the video posted
Check battery
I am using cable. I followed the instructions from charlesd 45 and it's still doing the same thing. I will watch the video posted
Check the battery on the GPS and make sure it has a good charge on it. That is known to cause connection problems.
Charlie. Nuvi 265 WT and Nuvi 2597 LMT. MapFactor Navigator - Offline Maps & GPS.
Two types of cables
I am using cable. I followed the instructions from charlesd 45 and it's still doing the same thing. I will watch the video posted
There two main types of USB cables; those for charging only and those that can both charge and transfer data. You need to have the charge/data transfer type of cable. Have you swapped among the various cables you may have?
By the way, are you attempting this on a laptop or desktop?
John from PA
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Trafiic
I am using a desktop and I use the same USB cable for my DriveSmart 61 NA LMT-S unit and it does get a connection to POI Loader.
Sometimes cables fail
I use a very inexpensive USB cable tester from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Treedix-Tester-Checker-Acrylic-Chargi... to check for cable continuity. I have also found it helpful to segregate power only cables from data cables (since manufacturers don't seems to mark USB cables).
Mark
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Trafiic
I just ordered the USB cable tester. Thank you
Cancel the order
I just ordered the USB cable tester. Thank you
Think about your situation. You can spend $15 on the tester which will tell you if a $7 cable is good or bad. But you have stated the cable works OK with a Drivesmart 61. You are likely better off just buying a new cable. Just make sure it is for both data and power. It will cost you about 1/2 what the tester costs.
Back to your problem, what OS are you running? Windows or Mac and what version/
John from PA
A proper power/data capable
A proper power/data capable cable will provide adequate power to the unit if the battery is weak. It sounds like the cable is not providing a data connection or power if it won't boot, try or obtain another known cable that has the power AND data capability.
Garmin DriveSmart 65 & Trafiic Issue
The GarminDrive.xml had to deleted out of my unit and stay plugged into my computer, so that I can add the new POI's to my unit. After I unplug my unit and plug it back in on a later day, the GarminDrive.xml will re-appear, and I will have to repeat the process.