---
title: Why is my vehicle's position bouncing or jumping around on the map?
description: Why a tracked vehicle's position can appear to bounce or jump on the map, usually caused by GPS multipath.
---

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# Why is my vehicle's position bouncing or jumping around on the map?

## This is usually multipath — GPS signals reflecting off buildings and concrete — most common in car parks and built-up areas.

If your vehicle's position looks like it's bouncing or jumping between locations, especially in a built-up area or car park, this is usually multipath — GPS signals reflecting off buildings, concrete and glass before reaching the unit. It's a known GPS limitation, not a fault with your hardware.

**Also known as / customers also ask:** multipath, multipathing, GPS bouncing, position jumping, GPS accuracy, vehicle in wrong place, GPS drifting

## Why is my vehicle's position bouncing or jumping around?

The most common cause is multipath — sometimes called GPS bouncing — where satellite signals refract off objects like concrete, glass and roofing before reaching the GPS unit. It's most noticeable when a vehicle is parked inside a building or underground car park, or driving through a city's high-rise areas.

## Is the vehicle parked in or near a building?

Check whether the vehicle is, or recently was, in an underground car park, parking building, or a downtown area with tall buildings nearby. Multipath is most common in exactly these conditions. There isn't a way to prevent it in a specific location — it clears once the vehicle moves into open sky.

## Could this be atmospheric interference?

GPS signals can also be slowed and refracted by atmospheric conditions, including solar flares. When this happens, the hardware sometimes holds onto the last good position it received, which can also make an asset appear to have moved when it hasn't.

## Is this the vehicle's in-car navigation doing the same thing?

If you've noticed a similar effect on an in-vehicle navigation system left stationary for a while — the map position recalculating and shifting — that's the same underlying multipath issue. It affects all types of GPS devices, not just fleet tracking hardware.

## What should I do if none of these fix it?

Multipath isn't something you or Argus can switch off for a specific location, but if you're consistently seeing incorrect positions outside of car parks or built-up areas, note the asset ID, the date and time, and a screenshot of the incorrect position, then [contact Argus support](https://support.argustracking.com/new-request) so it can be checked.

This article doesn't cover an asset that has stopped reporting altogether — see [what to check when an asset stops tracking](https://help.argustracking.co.nz/knowledge-base/my-asset-has-stopped-tracking-what-should-i-check?hsLang=en-au).

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