Garmin Alpha 300/300i Troubleshooting

If your Garmin Alpha 300/300i handheld or dog tracking collar is not tracking, connecting, or updating properly, the fixes below cover the most common issues hunters experience in the field.

Quick Jump

• Only works when plugged in
• Collar won’t connect even though it’s paired
• Maps missing after update
• Bark detection not working
• Collar vibration doesn’t work
• Slow or no satellite acquisition
• Firmware updates failing over Wi-Fi
• Touchscreen unresponsive or glitchy
• Battery drains quickly in cold weather
• Device freezes or bootloops
• Map detail missing
• Interference when hunting with others
• Menus and settings confusing
• Tracking update rate confusing
• Collar goes to sleep
• USB-C charging port loose
• Dog list disappeared
• Garmin Explore / Maps+ not syncing
• Software version inconsistent
• US and EU models not communicating

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1. Alpha 300 only works when plugged in

What it usually means: Battery issue or the unit isn’t charging fully.

Steps:

1. Charge the handheld for at least 3 hours using a known-good USB-C cable.
2. Connect to a computer and open Garmin Express.
3. Install all available handheld updates.

If it still fails: The internal battery likely needs service.

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2. Collar won’t connect even though it’s paired

Steps:

1. Open Dog List on the handheld.
2. Select the dog/collar.
3. Choose Remove.
4. Tap Add Dog → Add Garmin Collar.
5. Power on the collar when prompted.

If it still fails: Stand 10–15 feet away and retry pairing.

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3. Update wiped maps or corrupted data

Steps:

1. Go to Setup → Map → Map Information.
2. Enable your installed maps.
3. If missing, reinstall maps via Garmin Express.

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4. Bark detection or bark alerts not working

Steps:

1. Dog List → select dog → Dog Info.
2. Enable Bark Detection (if supported).
3. Update collar firmware.

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5. Collar vibration doesn’t work

Steps:

1. Confirm the collar model supports vibration.
2. Stand within 10–15 feet.
3. Send a vibrate command from training controls.

If tone works but vibrate does not: Likely hardware.

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6. Slow or no satellite acquisition

Steps:

1. Go outdoors with a clear sky view.
2. Setup → System → Satellite.
3. Select Clear Satellite Data.
4. Restart and wait 5–10 minutes.

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7. Firmware updates failing over Wi-Fi

Steps:

1. Install/open Garmin Express.
2. Update the handheld via USB.
3. Update all collars via USB.

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8. Touchscreen unresponsive or glitchy

Steps:

1. Power off fully.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Restart and test.

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9. Battery drains quickly in cold weather

Steps:

1. Keep handheld inside coat.
2. Lower brightness.
3. Disable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth when not needed.

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10. Device freezes or bootloops

Steps:

1. Hold power for 15 seconds.
2. Restart.
3. Reinstall updates via Garmin Express.

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11. Map detail missing

Steps:

1. Setup → Map → Map Information.
2. Enable correct map.
3. Zoom in closer.

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12. Interference when hunting with others

Steps:

1. Setup → System → Communication.
2. Change channel.

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13. Menus and settings confusing

Steps:

1. Customize map data fields.
2. Focus on Dog List, Map, Training screens.

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14. Tracking update rate confusing

Steps:

1. Dog List → select dog → Dog Info.
2. Set update rate to 5–10 seconds.

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15. Collar goes to sleep and won’t wake

Steps:

1. Check collar battery.
2. Move into range.
3. Power-cycle the collar.

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16. USB-C charging port loose

Steps:

1. Clean port gently.
2. Try a different cable.

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17. Dog list disappeared

Steps:

1. Check Garmin Express for backup.
2. Re-add dogs if needed.

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18. Garmin Explore / Maps+ not syncing

Steps:

1. Confirm same Garmin account.
2. Log out/in.
3. Sync over Wi-Fi.

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19. Software version inconsistent

Steps:

1. Update via Garmin Express.
2. Restart and recheck version.

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20. US and EU models not communicating

Steps:

1. Confirm region of handheld and collars.
2. Use matching-region equipment.