Dexcom G7 Sensor Failure & Shortage - What You Need To Know

The other day, two Dexcom G7 sensors failed on me—back to back. They simply wouldn’t connect to the app. Normally, I’d troubleshoot and move on, but I was about to leave for a 50-day trip across Europe, and this raised alarms. What if it happened again abroad? So I posted a video about it online—and within hours, it exploded. Across social platforms, I received nearly 1,000 comments from users experiencing similar issues.

Let me be clear: I like the G7 a lot. It's a powerful CGM with solid features, and for the most part, it works really well for me. But this experience—and the community's overwhelming response—made it clear we needed to talk about it.

Sensor Failures and the “Magnet Trick”

A recurring issue from commenters: G7 sensors that fail to activate. Users reported inserting the sensor, only for it to never connect with the app. Some discovered a “magnet trick” that sometimes prompts the sensor to activate. They say that if you wave the applicators magnet—or any magnet—around the sensor, it will fix the problem. While this isn’t an official solution, it’s one of many community workarounds surfacing amid rising concerns.

When asked about sensor failures, Dexcom told me:

Still, for many, especially those traveling, failed sensors and limited replacements abroad can be a serious issue. Some social media commenters said they went weeks without sensors while on vacation due to multiple faulty sensors.

“Goosenecking” and Applicator Malfunctions

Another issue gaining traction is what's been dubbed goosenecking: when the sensor filament doesn’t insert properly and gets stuck in the applicator. You’ll see a small loop poking out from the insertion site—a clear indicator that something went wrong.

Here's Dexcom’s response to my question about these sensors:

Users Are Experiencing Slow Replacements & Shortages

Many commenters on my recent social media post shared that they’ve been facing shortages of Dexcom G7 sensors—whether it’s delayed pharmacy refills or extended wait times for replacement shipments after sensor failures. What used to take 3 to 5 business days is now, for some, stretching to nearly two weeks. We dig into this in the latest podcast episode. These delays may be tied to the high volume of sensor failures users are reporting, as well as Dexcom’s recent decision to pause distribution of certain G7 lots following an FDA warning letter.

A Deep Dive in This Week’s Podcast Episode

To dig deeper, I brought together two respected voices in the diabetes tech community: Kamil from Nerdabetic and Dr. David Ahn, an endocrinologist and diabetes tech expert. Together, we broke down the growing concerns around the G7—sensor failures, the goosenecking issue, shortages, and even Dexcom’s March 2025 FDA warning letter.

We also discuss the upcoming 15-day G7 sensor, which Dexcom has acknowledged may not last the full wear time for every user—something to watch closely. Should insurance companies preemptively cover extra sensors incase users experience premature failures? That’s a conversation we have in-depth on the show.

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