How to Fix Error 175

At Shearwater, we believe in eating our own dog food. By that I mean that we as engineers are responsible for supporting the products that we design and create.  That way, we close the gap between the consumer and the designer. It results in better products, better service, and a better understanding of what our customers want. We also take personal pride in ensuring that our products are as useful and as easy to understand as possible.

Shearwater Desktop

error 175The most common technical problem people experience is Error 175. This is when the Shearwater Desktop is unable to find your dive computer.  This is a devilish problem because there are many reasons why this occurs:

  • The model and hardware version of the dive computer.
  • The make/model of the desktop or laptop.
  • Whether the computer has built in Bluetooth or not.
  • Whether the computer has been recently updated or not.
  • The list goes on…

Because of all these possible variables, there is no straightforward answer.

In a situation like the one above, it is tempting for a programmer to make the program spit out a long and complicated error code, as this is easier for a programmer to decipher and use. However, most people are not programmers and would find this to be overly complicated and frustrating. Finding the balance between being informative and understood is one of the many challenges of this job.

Keeping in mind that most people reading these error codes are not programmers, we have the error message displayed with a brief explanation of the problem in plain English. The hope with the error message is that it will help users understand, and then fix their problem, but there is a key flaw in this plan: we only display what the problem is, not the solution!

Hammer Hitting Computer Showing Angry With LaptopI now realize that without a solution, it will be pretty difficult for someone to fix their problem. With this in mind, we will be redesigning the way the Shearwater Desktop handles errors. If it is a simple fix, the program will lay out the steps to solve the problem. However, in more complex situations where the user will likely need support, the error screen will contain a link to our support page and how best to contact us. This new system will be more efficient as it will give those with simple problems the necessary tools to fix them, as well as not wasting the time of those whose problems are best handled by our support team.
 

So what does error #175 really mean?

When you try to connect to your Petrel, Shearwater Desktop looks for the signal that your Petrel emanates.  If it fails to find that signal, the result is error #175.

So what can you do?

Although it’s true that every situation is different, here are some quick troubleshooting tips that may help:

  • Make sure that your dive computer is showing the Bluetooth countdown.
  • If you have an older Petrel, make sure the battery you are using is fresh.
  • Keep Shearwater Desktop, and your operating system, up to date.

22 Responses

  1. Hi Mark, it is nice to have a face to the name.
    Could you please include the barometric pressure at the beginning of the dive in the desktop where it displays the firmware version and the battery voltage? I know the information is in the DC because i can find it in the XML export. I dive a lot at altitude as I live in Austria. I imagine it cannot be very much work to search for the pressure and display it along with the other unchanging information.
    Thank you
    Nikolaus

    Reply
  2. I’ve got the error 175 as well and was able to solve it… Maybe this may help other people as well.
    The reason why I’ve got this error was that when doing an update, I waited until the 3 minute countdown was done and then wanted to start the download. In fact, you need to do this within the 3 minute countdown – so you don’t have to wait until the 3 minutes are over.
    The instructions are a bit confusing. It says “Upload Log and wait for the 3 minute countdown timer to begin”. It might be clearer when you would add “Click the start button on the Shearwater Desktop within the 3 minute countdown.”

    Reply
  3. Hi! When I try to Update the firmware or Download the Dive Log, when I press Start it says Error #151: Bluetooth Radio not available. I tried ALL my USB ports and it always says that its not finding the signal even if I put the Petrel 2 right next to the USB dongle.

    Please help me. I’m really annoyed my this…

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Shearwater Research

      Hello Maxime, please send us an email at info@shearwater.com. We will put you in touch with tech support. Mark will assist you on Monday.

      Reply
  4. If you are running Windows 8.1 like I do, you will have to reboot your PC after the initial installation of the Shearwater desktop software, before the bluetooth functionality of the Download dive log or Update firmware menu items will work.

    So if you get the #175 error message and you have just installed the Shearwater Desktop software without having first done a reboot, do so before trying to pair it to the Petrel 2 unit.

    Reply
  5. In order for my Petrel 2 to be found via the Bluetooth and the desktop software I have to place the Petrel2 right next to the Bluetooth transmitter! Is this normal?

    Reply
  6. I recently acquired a new laptop that has windows 7 professional. After downloading the latest version of Shearwater desktop soft ware I am unable to connect to my Petrel. I connected to my Petrel in devices and I am able to connect to it and download to divelog 6.0
    Please advise.

    Reply
    • I got the same problem tnh you with the same windows version. How do you resolve your prokem?

      Thank yu

      Reply
  7. Not a terrifically helpful post, Mark. This is the latter part of 2016; Bluetooth is not new technology. For a $800 device, this isn’t fixed yet? What?

    Reply
  8. Same here. Windows 7, brand new Perdix and dongle. Error 175, can’t find the dive computer.

    I’ll send an email, too. But as it happens, I *AM* an IT professional, but this level of failure message is slightly less than useful.

    Reply
  9. I love the Perdix but am fed up with the inability of the software to connect easily – every time I try to download dives I get Error #175….sometimes after trying the dongle every single USB port on my computer it works. this evening I have given up – again. I have been programming computers for 43 years….I cannot believe there is not a way to make this functionality FUNCTION!

    Reply
  10. Hello All,
    I am sorry for the frustration caused to all users by error 175. As you know, this error can be caused by several factors. If you have already checked out our page here: https://www.shearwater.com/support/bluetooth-quick-start/
    Then the best path forward is for Users to email me at: “support@shearwater.com” this way we can tackle the issue case by case.

    Reply
  11. Hi,
    1. why there is no possibility to put info about cyliderns (singe, double) and pressure in Desktop app?
    2. do you have a plan to have desktop connected to cloud also? So if I will download my dives to PC/phone – I will be able to see it on phone/PC without downloading it 2 times (both for Phone and PC)
    3. Do you have a plan to develop Desktop for Linux users ?

    Best Regards,
    Leszek

    Reply
  12. Gary Davis

    Hi, I don’t get an error code, but lately when downloading the Dive log from my Nerd, it connects ok, but the Nerd just seems to time out, with nothing having downloaded. It’s a late 2013 MacBook Pro, running High SierraX, which has worked ok with the Nerd till now.
    Is there a way of uploading all the existing Dives to the new Cloud App? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Shearwater Research

      Hi, Gary. If you have been using the traditional Shearwater Desktop you will need to import your divelog into Shearwater Cloud Desktop. From the traditional Shearwater Desktop go to File>Backup Database… and select a location to save your ShearwaterDesktop.db file. If you haven’t done so yet, install Shearwater Cloud Beta on your Mac computer. You can get the installer files here: https://www.shearwater.com/cloud-downloads/. After installation open Shearwater Cloud Beta and click on the “Import” icon seen on the upper left hand corner and select “Import Shearwater Desktop Database”. This will allow you to select the ShearwaterDesktop.db file you saved earlier. After importing the file, and if you haven’t done so yet, sign in to you Shearwater Cloud account. Then click on the “Sync” icon seen on the upper right hand corner of the screen. After syncing you can access your dives on mobile devices using the Shearwater Cloud App and the login credentials. Hope this helps.

      Reply
  13. Frédéric Ferellec

    Happily bought the Shearwater Perdix Ai who was recommended by fellow divers. But was unable to connect via bluetooth on W10 computer. A bit frustrating when you want to discover your new product. Finally I was able to connect trough the app on my phone. Still not able to connect on desktop though.

    Fred

    Reply
    • Shearwater Research

      Hi Frédéric, sorry to hear about the difficulties you are having with Shearwater Cloud Desktop. In certain cases connectivity can be more stable through a mobile device. If you want to troubleshoot connectivity to your W10 computer, please do not hesitate to send us an email to info@shearwater.com. We’ll connect you with one of our software engineers.

      Cheers

      Reply
  14. Hedwig

    Hello,
    i have had always troubles to connect with my petrel 1 and 2.
    Found finally the solution. I choose the nerd as computer and the transfer and connection are flawless.
    🙂
    greets, Hedwig.

    Reply
  15. Bart

    Hi there,
    I own the Petrel 2 and we got it finally downloading the files with the setting on Nerd2

    I hope this helps to solve the problem

    Greets
    Bart

    Reply
  16. Lord Ingo

    If you’ve scrolled down this far, congratulations.

    I’ve had the same problem getting my Perdix AI to be recognized by both the Shearwater Desktop App (as well as Subsurface Dive Log software) via Bluetooth on my new Windows 10 machine. I blamed the dongle at first because I could get it to connect using the native Bluetooth on my laptop. A little research (aka Google) on the CSR 4.0 dongle helped me determine that you should not plug it into a USB 3.0 slot. Instead find a 2.0 slot. 3.0 slots are usually marked with an SS by them for Super Speed.

    Making this change and making sure my Perdix was close to the dongle made all the difference. Hopefully you will have similar success.

    Reply
  17. David Harrelson

    I am having problems downloading dives on the Shearwater Perdix Ai from the computer to my laptop (and joining the previous downloads list). The dives download on the computer but do not come up on the list of dives to edit/update info. I rebooted the computer, removed and reinstalled the Bluetooth, and restarted Perdix a couple of times. Do you have any suggestions?

    Reply
    • Shearwater Research

      Hi David, I’m sorry you’re having this issue downloading your dives. I’ve emailed you with a few questions.

      Reply

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