A Furuno GPS is designed to provide precise positioning and dependable navigation for recreational boaters, anglers, and commercial vessels. However, you may occasionally encounter a "Location Not Found" error or notice that your GPS cannot determine your current position. This issue can prevent accurate route planning, waypoint navigation, and safe operation on the water.

If you're wondering how to fix Furuno GPS location not found, this guide explains the most common causes, step-by-step troubleshooting methods, and preventive maintenance tips to help restore your GPS signal and positioning.

What Does "Location Not Found" Mean on a Furuno GPS?

When your Furuno GPS displays "Location Not Found," it means the receiver is unable to calculate your current position using GPS satellites. This usually occurs because the device cannot establish a reliable satellite lock or is experiencing communication or hardware issues.

Common Causes of Furuno GPS Location Not Found

Several factors can trigger this error, including:

• Poor GPS satellite reception
• Obstructed view of the sky
• Loose or damaged GPS antenna
• Faulty antenna cable
• Outdated firmware
• Corrupted system software
• Incorrect GPS settings
• Low or unstable power supply
• Recently installed firmware update
• Hardware malfunction

Identifying the root cause will help you choose the correct solution.

Common Symptoms

Along with the "Location Not Found" message, you may notice:

• GPS signal lost
• Position remains at 0° latitude and longitude
• Navigation unavailable
• Vessel icon missing from the chart
• Slow satellite acquisition
• Incorrect coordinates
• Route guidance unavailable
• Maps load but no current position appears
• GPS status indicates "Searching for Satellites"

Step 1: Move to an Open Area

GPS receivers require a clear view of the sky.

If your boat is:

• Under a bridge
• Inside a covered marina
• Near tall buildings
• Beneath heavy tree cover

Move to open water and wait several minutes.

Satellite reception usually improves significantly in unobstructed areas.

Step 2: Allow Time for Satellite Acquisition

If you've recently:

• Powered on the GPS
• Updated firmware
• Traveled a long distance with the unit turned off

The receiver may need extra time to locate satellites.

Wait approximately 10–20 minutes without turning the unit off.

Step 3: Restart the Furuno GPS

Temporary software issues can interfere with GPS positioning.

To restart:

1. Turn off the Furuno GPS.
2. Wait one minute.
3. Turn the unit back on.
4. Allow the receiver to search for satellites again.

Many temporary positioning issues are resolved by a simple restart.

Step 4: Inspect the GPS Antenna

A damaged or disconnected antenna is one of the most common reasons for location errors.

Check for:

• Loose connectors
• Corrosion
• Damaged cables
• Cracked antenna housing
• Water intrusion

Repair or replace damaged components if necessary.

Step 5: Verify Antenna Placement

The GPS antenna should:

• Face the open sky
• Be mounted securely
• Be away from metal obstructions
• Be separated from high-power antennas
• Have minimal electromagnetic interference

Improper antenna placement can significantly reduce satellite reception.

Step 6: Check Power Supply

Low voltage may affect GPS receiver performance.

Inspect:

• Battery voltage
• Fuse
• Power cable
• Circuit breaker
• Electrical connections

Ensure the Furuno unit receives stable power throughout operation.

Step 7: Update the Firmware

Older firmware may contain software bugs that affect satellite acquisition or GPS positioning.

Installing the latest firmware may improve:

• GPS accuracy
• Satellite tracking
• System stability
• Navigation performance
• Device compatibility

Always use firmware intended for your specific Furuno model.

Step 8: Verify GPS Settings

Incorrect configuration can prevent the receiver from operating correctly.

Review:

• GPS source selection
• Position format
• Navigation settings
• Time and date
• External GPS input configuration

Restore default settings if configuration errors are suspected.

Step 9: Inspect Network Connections

If your Furuno GPS is part of an integrated navigation network:

Check:

• NMEA 0183 cables
• NMEA 2000 network
• Ethernet connections
• GPS sensor communication

Loose or damaged connections may prevent position data from reaching other onboard devices.

Step 10: Restore Factory Settings

If software corruption is suspected:

Before resetting:

• Back up routes and waypoints.
• Save custom settings.

Then perform a factory reset according to your model's instructions.

This can resolve persistent software-related positioning issues.

Common Furuno GPS Location Problems and Solutions

GPS Keeps Searching for Satellites

Possible causes:

• Poor antenna placement
• Weak satellite signal
• Obstructed sky
• Firmware issue

Solution:

• Move to open water.
• Wait several minutes.
• Restart the GPS.
• Update firmware if available.

Incorrect GPS Position

Possible causes:

• Weak signal
• Antenna problems
• Software bug

Solution:

• Inspect antenna connections.
• Verify GPS settings.
• Update system software.

GPS Signal Drops Frequently

Possible causes:

• Loose antenna cable
• Power fluctuations
• Electromagnetic interference

Solution:

• Tighten all connections.
• Check battery voltage.
• Relocate the antenna if necessary.

No Position Displayed on Charts

Possible causes:

• GPS receiver not locked
• Chart configuration issue
• External GPS not detected

Solution:

• Confirm satellite lock.
• Verify chart settings.
• Check network connections.

GPS Works Occasionally

Possible causes:

• Damaged antenna
• Loose wiring
• Intermittent power

Solution:

• Inspect all wiring.
• Replace damaged cables.
• Verify power stability.

Preventing Future GPS Location Problems

To reduce the likelihood of future issues:

• Keep firmware updated.
• Inspect antenna connections regularly.
• Clean electrical connectors.
• Update marine charts periodically.
• Use a stable power supply.
• Protect equipment from moisture.
• Test GPS operation before each trip.
• Perform regular maintenance inspections.

Routine maintenance improves long-term reliability.

When Should You Check for Firmware Updates?

Check for updates:

• Every 3–6 months
• Before boating season
• Before offshore trips
• After purchasing a used Furuno unit
• When new firmware is released
• If you experience recurring GPS issues

Keeping firmware current can improve satellite acquisition and system performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Furuno GPS say "Location Not Found"?

This message usually means the GPS receiver cannot establish a position because it has not acquired enough satellite signals. Poor antenna placement, signal obstruction, damaged hardware, or outdated firmware are common causes.

How long should it take for my Furuno GPS to find my location?

Under normal conditions, most Furuno GPS units acquire a position within a few minutes. After a firmware update or long period of inactivity, it may take 10–20 minutes to establish a full satellite lock.

Can a damaged antenna cause this error?

Yes. Loose connections, corrosion, cable damage, or a faulty GPS antenna can prevent the receiver from detecting satellites and calculating your location.

Will updating the firmware fix GPS location issues?

It can. Firmware updates often improve GPS performance, fix software bugs, and enhance satellite acquisition, especially if the issue is software-related.

Should I reset my Furuno GPS?

A factory reset can resolve persistent configuration or software problems after you've backed up your routes, waypoints, and custom settings.

Conclusion

A "Location Not Found" message on your Furuno GPS is usually caused by temporary satellite acquisition problems, antenna issues, incorrect settings, or outdated software rather than a major hardware failure. By moving to an open area, allowing enough time for satellite lock, checking the GPS antenna, verifying power and network connections, updating firmware, and restoring default settings when necessary, you can resolve most positioning problems. Regular maintenance, current firmware, and routine equipment inspections will help keep your Furuno GPS providing accurate, dependable navigation every time you head out on the water.