Garmin 910 XT elevation change issues

Paula Nystrom

I have been getting huge elevation change readings when I upload my garmin 910xt.  I live at sea level, so this is completely inaccurate.  Anyone else run into this, have a suggestion on how to correct?

Edwin Croucher

@Paula,  it is a Garmin issue. You will most likely have to send it back to Garmin and they will send you a new one. I found the best results was to call them directly. They are not as good answering email. However, they replaced my 910xt for the same reason.

Donnacha Holmes

@Paula Have a look at the info below its from the Garmin Forums. I'm on my 3rd 910xt after the same exact elevation problems. It's a known fault in the 910xt. I've read of some owners carefully removing or cleaning dirt,sand or fluff with a tooth pick or old toothbrush from the little hole on the underside of the watch (beside one of the four corner screws on the charging pads side) If that doesn't work try the details below. Best of luck!

There have been many reports of elevation problems with the Garmin 910XT, and pleadings for a software fix to address.
Unfortunately, this cannot be resolved with a software update. You must send your watch in to Garmin for servicing.
A random number of 910XTs have faulty barometers in them. There doesn’t appear to be a pattern of serial numbers affected.
To determine if your barometer is faulty. go in to the diagnostics mode:

1. Power off the 910XT
2. While first pressing and holding down the Enter button, press and hold the Power button.
3. Continue to hold both the Enter key and Power button until the diagnostic screen appears.
4. Release both buttons.

Now that you are in the diagnostic screen, press the Mode button, exactly 7 times. The 910XT should beep each time the Mode button is pressed.
If the third line called “Baro Alt” shows 65,000 ft or 20.00 m and the fourth line under “Baro Pressure” shows 0, then your unit is faulty.
Power off the 910XT to exit out of diagnostics mode.

Call Garmin at 1-800-800-1020 with this information provided and they will send you a new watch.

If you are out of the warranty period, as I was, they will send you a factory refurbished unit, even if the warranty period has expired.
If you want to keep your existing unit until the new one arrives, Garmin will charge you $199 on your credit card as a deposit and when refund you when they received the old unit back.

If you stumble on a support rep who will not help you, simply call back until you get one who is more sympathetic and customer focused.

Peter Noyes

I am one of the lucky ones who was able to fix this by cleaning out the sensor. If you want to give it a try it is next to the bottom right screw if you are holding it backwards. If you have the quick release kit attached you need to remove it.

Paula Nystrom

Thanks for all of the great information!  I am doing IM Florida 70.3 this weekend so I think I might wait until after the race to fool with it.  At least that is what I am thinking at the momement.

Scott Alexander

@Paula, I'd wait too, esp given that elevation should have nothing to do with the displayed information such as power or speed/pace.