Garmin Drivesmart 76 cannot find detailed maps after software and map upgrade

[AndyW]

Using Garmin Express, I ran the following update:
City Navigator Europe NTU; version 2026.10 and restarted the 76.
After the update a message stated that " no detailed files were found "
I opened a new route and was shown a route with pencil-thin roads and a route in a highlight colour.
Route directions were spoken and the route was just about usable. But at night the route was almost lost in the dark background.
I was advised to re-install the update.
When I went to re-install, I found that a) the update appeared successful, and 7 maps (version 2026.10) were installed. b) Garmin express stated that the same update was still available.
I did install the update again with the same result.
I now have an unsafe installation without the maps that the Garmin 76 shows as loaded.
I have since re-installed another time with the same result.
I would welcome guidance as the 76 is basically unusable as it is.
Thanks
Andy

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

I would suggest that you install Garmin Bascamp (if not already installed) to the same computer that Garmin Express is running on and then use Express to install to 'Computer Only', see This Link ( Fig. 3), Express sometimes does not handle large maps well when GPS memory is limited or split between internal an microSD

You should now be able to see the new map in Basecamp, this has the advantage of being able to check the new map has downloaded correctly and also Bascamp had a Map Install option which has much better control over deleting old maps from your 76 making room for the new maps, seeing how much space is available on your 76 (both internal and microSD) and even sending part of a map to your 76 if memory space is a problem

 

[AndyW]

Thanks Nuvi-Nebie. I have upgraded the maps yet again and this time I had a clear message that maps are up-to-date.
However the detail is basic with no buildings and terrain despite being selected. Safe to use in daylight but unreadable with the dark screen.

Regarding Bascamp and maps to computer; I have seen this solution offered on the forum, I have ample computer space to do this but: is this a one-time fix or will I have to do it every time an upgrade is available?

I have also seen options to delete maps and re-install but I have not found the safe way to do this.

Finally re option to reset; how much goes back to default? Maps? OS? Route data etc? Will the 76 still be viable to re-install all the latest updates?

For the record the 76 capacities are below
capacity 27.8GB
Free space 12.5 GB
I also have a 126GB microSD in the slot but haven't activated it as space seems ok on internal drive.

Regards
Andy

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

There are a few things you can try, a factory reset will remove all Waypoints (favourites ), Tracks and Routes so if you want to keep them you would need to copy them to your computer (Basecamp will also do this) it will not remove any maps installed on your 76, other things you can try apart from factory reset is disabling all maps on your 76 and then enabling only the one you want (2026.10), some units incorrectly prioritises maps and you can fix this by only enabling one map at a time

I have tried to download 2026.10 to computer only Today, this failed and I think it was due to Garmin Express being out of date (despite reporting it was up to date !), I was using version 7.18.4.0 and in the end I had to uninstall that version and download the latest version 7.24.0.0, I am not sure why I was not offered this version automatically, after installing 7.24.0.0 the download worked OK

I have a very poor broadband connection at present (6mb/S) so a failed download can take over 3 hours, because of this I always download to computer only, it does have other advantages, like partial map install and being able to verify that the map really has download successfully

 

[AndyW]

Thanks Nuvi-Nebie

I have kept Basecamp to computer as a fall-back if all other options fail to resolve the
problem. I only plan to do it if I need to. As Basecamp to computer is (among other things) a
work-around for space constraints I don’t see it as a solution to the problem I have at the
moment.

I do not have space problems on my 76. Capacity is 27.8GB and I have 12.5GB left. In
addition I have put a 128GB micro SD in the slot but have not needed to activate it.
The problem seems to suggest a glitch brought about by the latest map update. I always
update with Garmin Express and this is the first time that it has failed to download viable
maps.

Earlier today I ran the update for the 5th
time and was advised that the update had been
successful.

I opened the maps and found that I had a basic map without the detailed map overlay. It is
operating well but lacking the detailed maps. I seem to be getting improvement with
repeated installations but have no wish to keep on re installing.
Is there a way to check the maps to ensure they are complete?

Thanks again for your time and assistance.

Regards, Andy

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

If you have Bascamp installed on your computer you can use the Mapinstall option to examine the maps on the 76 (obviously the 76 must be connected to the computer running Basecamp), I think 2026.10 has not been available very long so I think there is currently very heavy demands on Garmin's servers, I am surprised 2026.10 has been released at all when we are only 1 month into 2025 !

 

[AndyW]

Thanks again.
I will go away and try basecamp.
Hope your broadband is back up to speed

 

[AndyW]

Thanks Nuvi-Nebie for your help.
Basecamp is installed and I have successfully installed 2026.10. Surprised that it used an extra 6GB on my 76.
I assume that the latest installation by Basecamp has added new files rather than overwriting the old installation.
Anyway, I'm happy to close this thread.

 

[Nuvi-Nebie]

Surprised that it used an extra 6GB on my 76.
I assume that the latest installation by Basecamp has added new files rather than overwriting the old installation.

It does sound like 2026.10 was installed but the previous version was not deleted, you can delete the older version using Basecamp Mapinstall if you wish, but if it's working and you don't need to space I would let it stay

 

[Panchdara]

Happened to me. Manage Maps and there's something there that helped me.... works a treat now (Zumo XT)

 

[Panchdara]

Also, I find the Zumo XT has errors when trying to update thru GE and a much better result when using the wifi.